Tiaoalli Ally Pita felt her prayers were answered as she walked to the podium to receive her Bachelor's in Commerce degree from the University of the South Pacific in Suva last week.

She knew the steps she was taking were into her future, something she had long dreamt of and marking her independence and self-made success.

She majored in Accounting and Economics.

“This degree means so much to me because it shows that I was persistent and that I was able to go to class, finish my assignments on top of having a social life while in a new country. That is an achievement in itself,” said Tiaoalii

Her inspiration was the many intellectual women while growing up, especially her aunties and uncles in the field of commerce. For her, this was the start of her dream of wanting to be an independent and stable woman.

Tiaoalli's source of strength and motivation came from her family, the Samoan community in Fiji, and the Suva community, which played a big role in her academic journey and other students in Fiji. They gave her the strength to keep studying and praying.  Determined to recognise and reward the support she was given from her family and peers, Tiaoalli was fueled to complete her degree successfully.

“As a pastor’s daughter, prayer is an important thing to keep in mind when you feel unmotivated, because God always comes through," said Tiaoalli.

Tiaoalli attended kindergarten in Malua, where her parents were studying at Malua Theological College from 2008 to 2015. She then moved to St Mary’s Primary School in Savalalo, and then Samoa College before her foundation year at the National University of Samoa in 2020.

Tiaoalli was then rewarded with a scholarship opportunity sponsored by the Australian Government (Australian Awards Pacific Scholarships – AAPS) to pursue her bachelor’s degree at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. However, due to the COVID-19 restrictions. She was unable to travel and therefore her scholarship was on hold.

Tiaoalli started working at the Samoa Commercial Bank while taking some courses at NUS. She finally left to pursue her degree in 2022 .

Despite thriving academically, she had her challenges. Her mental health was one of her main weaknesses.

“I am not very organised or very open to express opinions, and that affected my mental health and my studies at some point, throughout college and university. I know every university student has those days where they would feel drained, but have to go to school anyway and that affected my mental health. I’m grateful for my friends and community in Fiji that gave me the strength to stay and complete my studies,” she said.

 As Tiaoalli reflects on her humbling experience, she wants everyone to be aware that there is a much bigger world out there than we think.

“Going to USP and seeing the diversity of cultures and people made me realise the importance of having an open mind because I have met so many intelligent people with an insatiable thirst for more knowledge, so it is important to remember that a Bachelor’s is just a stepping stone into the workplace and higher education. With the right attitude, the mentality that what you know now is never enough, as well as a strong faith in God, the sky is always the limit,” she said.

The young graduate is currently working as the Loans Officer at the Samoa Commercial Bank Limited and has hopes of the opportunity that awaits her to further her studies.