Dreams do come true

At sixteen-years of age I had this crazy dream that one day I would end up studying for a degree in the United States of America. My mind was fixed on Wisconsin. Don’t ask me why. I found the name Milwaukee intriguing due to its indigenous origin. Thank you to the United States embassy in Port Moresby for making this dream a reality in 2023. I was in class 10 C at Markham Valley High School. I wrote this down in a yellow notebook that I kept along with my school books. I knew education was my only way out.

This thought was fascinated by exposure to reading books and encyclopaedias my dad collected and provided at the house. My dad was an avid book reader and had often emphasised on the culture of reading as a healthy habit of self-learning and growth. I am indebted to him for his discipline as a father, mentor and a guardian. He knew what was best for his children.

As a student I would sometimes visit the library in school and just absorbed lovely pictures of places and forests as a way to escape boredom on Fridays. The high resolution images in books with real time stories of travel and country explore appealed to my great sense of imagination.

Funny enough I would allow my mind to travel to Amerika through those pictures, maps and of course listening to great American songs by bands and artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Don McLean, Foreigner, Bee Gees, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen,Chicago, Boston,Journey and Survivor enhanced this mindset and imagination. Again, my dad as an amateur guitarist had introduced all these music to me and all my siblings. They are still my playlist thriller and go to jam. Many great friends, brothers and sisters I have met have been through the shared interest for music, faith, values of determination,hard word,discipline, grit, perseverance and above all these people like me also came from humble beginnings of rural childhood in Papua New Guinea.

I was a very reserved person in high school. I had few friends of mostly girls.I felt more comfortable being around these few friends.They were friendly and often made me felt included in those small circles. I could only talk if I had something to say. I love to joke and laugh until I have tears and stomach hurt. I had very special friends who embraced and shared this trait and identity.

Back in high school it was a time where the boy band movement in Europe sort of became a universal thing with music and pop culture influence. The Irish boy band Westlife and America’s Backstreet Boys and NSYNC were popular among my friends including the Danish pop rock band of Michaeal Learns To Rock. I was a big fan of the Backstreet Boys even still I am. Kevin Kev’s story of growing up resonated with my upbringing and along the way I had to quit my job to pursue my dream. I would watch the video of the song ” I Want It That Way” and imagine catching a plane in Seattle airport on a lovely afternoon for a flight to Chicago. Dreamy eh? I love songs that make you skip, shuffle,turn around and jump. And this is my response when I hear “The One” by Backstreet Boys.

Some of those songs tell stories of travel, solitude,melancholy,adventures and life. Sometimes I would walk and sing along to Westlife” Queen of My Heart, Bop Bop Baby and My Love.Not that I have a great singing voice but singing was therapeutic and a form of expressing thoughts. My friends and I had song books and we had great fun and laughing conversations about music . Imagine sitting next to a cracking fireplace throwing woods into the fire while singing. Something money can’t buy. As a village kid I love the smell of dry coconut leaves on fire.

Apart from pop music techno music became a favourite genre. DJ Dobo songs such as Freedom, Everybody, Love Is All Around were a part of relaxation and feel good vibe.

When I graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea I got a job to work as a news reporter with Post Courier. While I enjoyed my time filing stories on agriculture,education,travel and diplomatic missions, I was reminded of the need to learn and improve my writing, editing and public speaking skills.My first news story was about the launch of Education USA centre in Port Moresby. I still have the copy of this news story with the pleasure of meeting Eleina Butuna and ambassador Walter North. Eleina Butuna was the first Papua New Guinean female to be awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in 1985, to do her PhD on population dynamics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. When she came back to PNG in 1987, she did not return to complete her PhD program but has been a decorated and accomplished academic.

Meeting people like Eleina opened my eyes to the possibilities and opportunities that one could pursue and make of in life.

In 2016 I applied to study in Denmark through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program. The idea of studying in Denmark at the same time immerse myself in a Scandinavian cultural experience and exposure prompted me to apply online. In my head I had thought about the possible adventures in Aarhus and Copenhagen as a good fit so I took the chance and gave a shot.

I did not have an international english language test certificate at that time and coupled with other factors, my application was rejected. Despite the negative outcome, I was glad I made an effort and it taught me what I could improve and move on from that point. Rejections have taught me to pause, slow down and see where I went wrong and try to address those weakness. I guess the real effort and improvement happened hereafter.

My decision to study in the United States surfaced when I was contracted to work for ExxonMobil PNG in 2018. I was exposed to international best practices across business lines and this inspired my effort to learn more and see where I can contribute and impact in my small group. I volunteered and shared some of my personal experience and stories as a way to inspire and encourage young people to value education and their gifts and talents. It was through volunteering that I realised I had an interest in teaching. With love for agriculture and ecology, I devoted some hours to teach kids about pursuing careers in Science,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) as well as encourage them to work hard , turn those skills into something tangible and be obedient to their parents. With the help of my dear friend and colleague,Ruth Siki we covered three public schools in Mosbi and ticked off the task.

Volunteering outside of work allowed me to have compassion for underprivileged youth and try to provide a space for them to express themselves and feel welcomed. I met young people who for unforeseen circumstances had only made it to grade eight. Such encounter affected how I view intervention and I tried to at least guide and help where it was needed. This is something that still inspire me to collaborate for solution and to help where it is needed.

This exercise translated into self-confidence,patience and motivation to become a better and kind person. I would say my best speech was delivered while working for EMPNG. I had people come up to me after the talk and asked if I had been a tutor before. Credit goes to Meriang Serum for those coffee, love and kindness. I was not alone. I had the support of some amazing people.

I was always fascinated by American automobiles,innovation, fashion and music. By then I had mastered some aspect of corporate writing and public relations practice. I was determined to step out of my comfort zone and give my best and be open to the idea of learning and growth.

I remember a time after work when I decided to hang out at the deck with few friends for some karaoke and free pop corn and soda. People had to pick some of their favourite songs and sing them to score points on the machine. A colleague Brendan picked ” Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by CCR and I gladly sang along with him. We hit hundred points on the machine and celebrated with water and high-fives. I knew at that instant I was destined for USA and I had to do the right thing.

My father always remind me to apply for study abroad opportunities. He would call me whenever he came across one in the newspapers and tell me to actually fill out the application. It became an annual topic for him since 2017. It was something I was confronted with every year and so I knew it came from a point of belief and determination and I need to fulfil on my path.

Time was right in 2022 when I saw the opening for Fulbright application on the embassy portal. In my application I had Wisconsin listed as my second choice through a university. I wanted to be a Badger. My first choice was James Madison University in Virginia.So I applied and after three months I received an email for an interview. I told my father about this and he said I’m certain this time they will consider you.

It was the most intensive interview I have been to. To be honest if I hadn’t developed an attitude of patience, gratitude and compassion I would have definitely failed the interview. Some of the questions would mean that one had to sip a strong coffee, swallow some pride, cry some tears and then find the courage to respond and make sense right. I am grateful and thankful to those individuals that have prayed and encouraged me with advice and guidance. It was those kind words of inspiration that propelled this motivation further. Again, I sought God for it was the only hope I could have at a time where I reached the lowest point in my life emotionally and physically.

I was praying for a month about wisdom, knowledge,peace and courage and so this manifested in all my responses to the panel. I knew my responses made sense when the team laugh. That moment I knew my sense of humour was put to good use. If there was something I fancy about myself it’s my sense of humour and the ability to really enjoy a good laugh.

On September 21, 2022 I receive an email from the embassy saying I was nominated as a candidate. The email outlined the process and time frame and what I needed to do and know while waiting. It is a very long process. You gotta have patience, discernment and tolerance. I just read the congratulatory remark and got down on my knee at the office and thank God for granting me the childhood dream and my biggest dream in life.

Praise God I had to wait for another seven months to know which institution I would attend, get answers from advisors and other important protocols. Thank God for those embassy staff they did not give up on me until the day I receive my ticket and visa. I still have tears. I was fortunate to be on the same flight from Port Moresby to Singapore then to San Francisco with the program manager whose kind words gave me courage and boldness to conquer what was ahead of me.

It was the longest flight I had about 15 hours and 45 minutes before arriving in sunny California. Funny enough I exhausted all my prayer points. I cried the most and probably looked unwell on the flight duration. The flight attendant was so kind in bringing me coffee and water and medicine from time to time to make sure I was okay. I would blame turbulence for my discomfort,anxiety and depression.

God saw me through. I went through immigration and security checks smoothly. Smooth Operator!

Looking back I value the kind of interview tactics and technique because the team knew well the kind of challenges one would face while abroad and so it was spot on. Go hard or go home! Tok aut tok stret! I felt this when I came to the USA given the pace in which studies flowed and a totally new academic environment with high expectations.

The interview also taught me to learn more about how to develop a mutual learning mindset and to be able to remain calm and strive to develop, set goals and work towards achieving them at the same time recognise that you can’t do it alone. Goals do not necessary mean school stuff. It could mean things like drinking more water than soda. Going to sleep at 10pm,limiting online exposure,eating fresh produce, fruits and getting enough exercise.

Furthermore, it taught me to pursue a relationship with Jesus so I can be healed and set free from past baggage and bondage. And my first year at JMU provided that transformational experience in spiritual and mental development . Outside of class, I joined small prayer groups to facilitate dialogue and band with other members in prayer and encouragement to apply sermons to personal context and walk in faith while at the same time serve people.

I believe that if I can achieve these simple goals then with that same mindset and attitude I can do the same. If I can feel well and stay calm then I can remain motivated to crush my semester goals and finish strong with God as my beacon of hope.

And I always praise God for my father who showed me how to sow seeds of determination and hard work and cultivate them with perseverance,humility and grit to see it come to fruition. It is not easy but having instrumental people like parents,mentors and guardians can remind us of hope that God has given to each of us. As a proud student of Markham Valley Secondary School my story resonate with the text inscribed on the maroon school uniform ” Mathew 6: 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.

Nan dangki tsira bingan igi.