BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS
Feeling at home in Hawaii
by BEN DROVER
My first year at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is coming to an end.
It seems only a short while ago that I was stepping off the plane, taking my first breath of Hawaiian air and becoming acquainted with the amazing place I now call home. Growing up, I never imagined that I would be able to visit such a fantastic place, let alone live and go to school here. I still sometimes think of my life as a dream and am constantly in awe at the incredible opportunity I’ve been given.
Although it took awhile for me to get used to my surroundings, get settled into college life, and most importantly acclimatized to the weather, Oahu now feels like a second home to me.
As one of the major cultural crossroads of the world, Hawaii is home to people of many different cultures from all corners of the globe. For me, this has been a great advantage as I’ve been able to broaden my horizons from different angles and am continually influenced by the people, cultures and experiences of my new life.
The transition into college life was actually a lot easier than I first anticipated. I admit that I was nervous getting off the plane and realizing that I now had four years of hard work ahead of me; however, since then I’ve been able to get a pretty good grasp on what I’m going to be doing for the next few years.
Having already completed the majority of my pre-requisite courses (math, anthropology, writing, psychology, anatomy, and physiology) for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, the rest to be completed in the fall of 2006, I’m almost ready to start Level 1 lab and lecture clinical courses, which is the first step on the long road to completing my degree.
After I get my degree I plan to head back to the Queen Charlotte Islands to work for a few years before going back to school to become a nurse practitioner. In order to be able to work as a nurse practitioner I need to become a registered nurse before completing further specialized courses. This role means I will be able to perform pretty much most of the tasks of a physician, including diagnosing illnesses and prescribing treatments.
Even though it’s been almost a year since I received the call telling me that I’d been chosen as the next Fernandez Earle Scholarship recipient, I can still remember that life-changing moment.
In that instant, countless doors were opened for me, each giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. With so many wonderful prospects now ahead of me, I’m able to shape my life in so many different ways.
I’m forever grateful to those who have been involved with this scholarship, as this experience has been something which will impact my life in a way I had never thought was possible.
FESF News 2006
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