Son of Savaii earns prestigious award
A son of Savaii has earned a highly competitive scholarship and is looking forward to furthering his studies overseas.
Alesana Alesana Ulusele, from the village of Faga, won a highly sought-after Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship following the successful conclusion of his foundation year at the National University of Samoa.
He is among nine Samoans who have been offered this opportunity.
Mr Ulusele, who graduated from Tuasivi College, said moving to Apia to study at the National University of Samoa was challenging.
“Meeting new people, being in a new environment, but also getting used to new ways of doing things were some of what I struggled with,” said Mr Ulusele.
Yet Mr Ulusele said he knew he had to adapt to be able to thrive in his studies.
“I knew that to survive and do well, I had to come out of my shell and adjust myself to meet these new challenges,” he says.
It is this ability to adapt and meet new challenges that he now embraces as he heads to Fiji to complete his undergraduate degree in Commerce.
Throughout his journey – from Savaii to his studies at NUS, and now to Fiji – Mr Ulusele credits love for his success.
“Love opens many doors for success. Love your parents and those around you, and never forget to love God the Almighty,” he said.
Mr Ulusele is one of nine Australia Awards Pacific Scholars heading to the University of the South Pacific in Fiji for studies.
The Australia Awards is funded by the Australian Government and supports Samoa and the region’s aspirations for a highly skilled workforce.
As a condition of the scholarships, students will return home at the conclusion of their studies to serve in their countries.
The 2026 intake of Australia Awards is now open for applications and close 30 April 2025: