23-year-old Vinal Kumar has returned home after eight years away from Fiji to reconnect with family and friends, revisit places that shaped his childhood and enjoy the Fijian food he has missed.
Originally from Vatuwaqa, Suva, with maternal links to Labasa, Kumar moved to the United States with his parents and now resides in Seattle, Washington, where he completed his education and works as a civil engineer.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Kumar says returning to Fiji has brought back many memories.
He shares the return has also allowed him to reconnect with his mother's family in Labasa, where he visited the Naag Mandir and saw how much the area had developed since his last visit.
Insert: Kumar on trying Fijian Food 27th AUg
Meanwhile, he says he attended around 11 to 12 different primary schools in Fiji while growing up because both his parents were teachers and were transferred between schools.
These included Annesley Methodist, Nehru Memorial School, Samabula Sanatan, Swami Shraddhanand Memorial School, Vuanisaki Primary, Nasavusavu District, Naweni District and Samabula Primary.
Kumar later attended MGM High School for Year 10 before moving to the US, where he attended Auburn Riverside High School and Kent Meridian High School.
Hindi Insert:Kumar on school memories 27th Aug
He then attended Green River College,where he earned an Associate in Science (Engineering), before completing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Kumar says some of his fondest school memories include taking part in science and drama competitions.
He recalls participating in a drama that highlighted the importance of the Hindi language and encouraged students to value their mother tongue.
Kumar says moving to the USA also influenced his decision to pursue civil engineering.
He says seeing multi-lane highways, bridges and other major infrastructure made him curious about who designed and built them.
That interest eventually led him into civil engineering, and he now works as a consultant for a private company, designing roads for cities and towns.
Kumar says his parents, who are both teachers and are now teaching in the US, have supported him throughout his journey.
