Manuvao Nateli Niusulu, 23, returns home post-degree from Fiji, vowing to contribute to local economic development.

She is back home after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fiji. Her goal is to serve Samoa and stimulate economic growth, using her degree as a launchpad for future academic and professional progress.

Hailing from the villages of Moataa, Vaimoso, and Apia, Niusulu pays tribute to her parents, Fesolai Molly Faamanatu Nielsen and Tiaseu Kerisiano Tufuga Niusulu, for their unwavering support. She also dedicates her success to her late grandparents, thanking them for leaving a legacy that inspires her to reach greater heights.

Acknowledging her community's role in her journey, she expresses gratitude for their support and faith. Niusulu conveys that self-belief was a significant factor in her academic success, urging the younger generation to never doubt their potential.

Her time in Fiji was a period of personal growth, providing her not only with academic knowledge but also a broader worldview, resilience, and independence. She shares how her overseas experience, shaped by challenges and exposure to diverse cultures, moulded her into a more empathetic individual.

Looking back, Niusulu believes her time abroad reinforced the importance of humility, patience, gratitude, and faith. She plans to apply these values in her personal and professional life as she sets out to fulfil her government bond and contribute to Samoa's economic growth.