The end of one thing is the beginning of another.

For students who have graduated from secondary schools and qualified for the National University of Samoa’s (NUS) Foundation year, this week is the beginning of a new journey.

The four terms will become two semesters. 

Five courses a year has turned into ten courses. And there are a lot more changes.

Foundation student, Christian Poutoa, is among the students at the Foundation year. 

“I’m pretty nervous,” he said, “trying to adapt myself to the new environment I’m in right now. Looking for new friends that will help me in any way.”

EJ To’omalatai, who recently graduated from Avele College, is excited about what’s ahead.

“I am just excited and looking forward to what my new environment will bring,” he said. 

“I mean this is where every student wishes to be and every teacher would scream at us telling us off that we should do this and that so we can make it to N.U.S and now here I am. 

“I am just so thankful that I made it this far in life.”

For all students, their goals this year would be quite simple. Do the best they can and make their families proud.

Joshua Trevor Adolpken, Christian Poutoa and EJ To’omalatai share this common aim. They all want to secure scholarships by the end of the academic year.

“I want to graduate and get a scholarship this year and help out my parents,” said Mr. Adolpken. 

Mr. Poutoa echoes similar thoughts.

“I want to graduate from Foundation and get a scholarship to go study abroad and come back home successfully,” he said. “I want to graduate foundation at the end of this year and continuing making my family proud.”