Orleans Falani graduated from the National University of Samoa (NUS) with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing and a minor in Economics.

This was a journey marked by academic pressure, long commutes, and a major family hardship that affected her mental health.

Falani, from Lufilufi, Falelatai, Moataa and Vaitele, daughter of Feesago Tagiilima and Telesia Sila, said her university years were shaped by several challenges, including living far from campus and the daily routine of being driven by her parents after late classes, often arriving home around 10 pm.

However, she said her biggest challenge came in 2024–2025, when a personal family event placed significant strain on her and her household.

She said the situation led her to step back from social connections and rethink her direction in life, at a time when she felt lost. Over time, she said support from her parents, family, and her faith helped her recover and regain focus.

Despite the challenges, Falani also highlighted positive memories from her studies, including being acknowledged by lecturers for her academic work and her award ceremony at graduation.

“It may seem small, but those moments made me feel seen and empowered,” she said. She added that her award ceremony was especially meaningful because of her parents’ pride. “After everything, it felt like that moment was meant for them as much as it was for me.”

“I’ve had a lot of good memories during my studies, but two moments really stood out to me. The first one is being acknowledged by my teachers. Those were the moments that made me feel seen and empowered, and it made me believe in my potential, especially during the days when I would lack faith in what I am doing and myself.

“The other best memory would be my award ceremony. That moment meant so much to me, not just because of the achievement, but because of how proud my parents were. After everything, it felt like that moment was meant for them as much as it was for me.”

Falani said her studies helped her develop critical thinking, analytical, communication, creativity, and teamwork skills, as well as an understanding of consumer needs and economic decision-making.

Reflecting on her time at NUS, she said the university experience shaped her personally and academically, helping her connect marketing and economics concepts to real-life situations and build resilience and adaptability.

Looking ahead, Falani said she has several options in mind but has not made final decisions, choosing instead to trust in God’s guidance.