Manaaki scholar Davinna Maru describes studying at SIT as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; she has braved being away from her family and overcome culture shock to achieve in her studies and set herself on a pathway for further qualifications
Through the Manaaki Scholarship programme Davinna was offered a programme at SIT and jumped at the chance because she was ready to progress in her career through study. “My intention was to study Level 7 Business Management, but unfortunately it was not available,” Davinna explains, and was offered an alternate course. “I didn’t know about SIT until I was offered the Diploma in Hospitality Management Level 6 … I am a keen learner [so] I accepted the offer as a pathway to do Level 7, and maybe even a master’s.”
From Papua New Guinea (PNG), Davinna says working alongside people of diverse cultures and backgrounds has always intrigued her. “I am currently employed as Liaison and Information Management Officer in the Department of Justice and Attorney General, particularly the Parole Service of PNG.”
With no expectations of what her time at SIT was going to be like, Davinna remarks “…It was my first opportunity to take up study abroad, without my family. I had an open mind, I was eager to learn and experience the environment as it is.”
She has enjoyed the quality of the teaching on her diploma. “I have only been here eight months, but I think my tutors are exceptional, very committed and always eager to help in any way.” She highlighted the 24/7 computer labs that are always available for student use. “It provides a quiet environment to focus and work on assessments.”
Davinna outlined some of the learning which had impacted her: make use of the opportunities that are available to you free of charge; everybody has a talent or skill that can be used in a team; get out of your comfort zone; ask questions, and while you’re at it, don’t be afraid to be wrong; be open to learning, be open to change; be respectful, do not judge someone based on your perceptions; and it’s never too late to follow a new path.
She also had the new experience of getting involved in student life on campus.
“I do appreciate the student support for the activities they offer for the students. I have never engaged in such before. And I have met several students who have become my good friends.”
Studying at SIT has had a big impact on Davinna; it’s allowed her the space to see life through a different lens. “Really, it has made me question my belief systems, my value systems and what it is I want to do hereon in terms of wellbeing, study and employment.”
Davinna’s greatest challenges in studying overseas have come in the form of having to manage her family from a distance and braving the cold and unexpected weather. “…truly …the culture shock really got to me. And when it gets to you how it got to me, you just want to call it quits and go back home,” she admits. Sticking it out has required determination. “It’s tough, it really is, you’ve got to be made of steel if you want to pull through, especially when you’re alone in a foreign country.”
“I had to perfect my report writing, get used to using my card at the shops, use the traffic lights to cross the road, and I had to learn to use different apps to make life easier.”
Acknowledging she didn’t expect to feel so much pressure from back home, “it’s a daily challenge that I must manage” says Davinna, the reality of being a parent whilst overseas, especially when playing the roles of both mum and dad, has been hard.
“I would lose my cool for a few days. That’s what parenting does to you when you don’t have the support you need … You’ve got to have some kind of superpower for you to resurface as a stronger person. In saying that, you can never go wrong when you have God in your life.”
Davinna says being at SIT has pushed her to redefine herself by bringing out her inner strength. “[I’ve learnt to] be courageous enough to be an example of persistence despite the challenges that life hurls at you.”
As a Manaaki Scholar, Davinna will be returning to PNG with new skills and knowledge to build up her work life and community: how to work in a diverse work environment (teamwork), facility management, operations management, customer service, human relations (people management), an understanding and awareness of employment law and contracts, and budgeting.
Davinna is planning to continue with her studies and as soon as she can, aims to complete level 7 in Hotel Management or Applied Management and hold a managerial role in the soon-to-near future.
Davinna advised prospective students to come to SIT with an open mind. “You won’t regret it, and you might just surprise yourself with how much you can achieve with the right mindset.”
“It’s been life changing in the sense that you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into. It has been a whole other level for me to be here, experiencing this,” adding “it opens up your mind, gives you a lot of strength and exposes you to the realities of the world which is ever changing.”