At the heart of every academic journey lies a story of purpose, persistence, and personal growth.
For Disoronameca Tukutukulevu, her academic journey at The University of the South Pacific (USP) was deeply influenced by the experiences of her two older sisters, both proud USP graduates.
From Nagasauva, Udu Point in Vanua Levu, Fiji, with maternal ties to Nukutubu in Rewa, Tukutukulevu is the youngest of three siblings and began her university studies during a unique moment in history – the global pandemic.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in International Business Marketing and Public Administration, online learning quickly became the norm for Tukutukulevu during the COVID-19 crisis.
Fortunately, she had experience in online learning from her high school studies at the International School Suva.
“For me, it wasn’t a big transition since we were already doing things online back at ISS. Assignments and exams were very familiar to me, and I had no issues during that time,” she said.
However, she acknowledged that group work during the pandemic was challenging.
“Thankfully, USP made everything accessible on Moodle, so it was easy once you figured it out.”
Reflecting on her time at USP, Tukutukulevu described it as a journey filled with growth and challenge.
"I believe that education at USP is different from other universities in Fiji. It offers students more opportunities to discover their hidden potential and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” she shared.
For Tukutukulevu, being the youngest meant not only carrying her own academic dreams but also continuing a family legacy rooted in resilience and sisterhood.
“Being the youngest meant I had big shoes to fill, but knowing my sisters had walked this path before me made it easier to keep going,” she said.
“I started off university studies in accounting, then I moved to education, and now I’m in commerce,” she said.
Through it all, her family – especially her parents – stood firmly by her side.
“They didn’t mind the changes. They just encouraged me to be somewhere that I’m passionate about, and everything they did was out of love and sacrifice,” she recalled.
Tukutukulevu proudly graduated during the Laucala April graduation ceremony in Suva.
Selenia Tukutukulevu, one of her older sisters, reflects on how her graduation was a proud moment for their entire family.
“Not only can we proudly say that we are a family of graduates, but it’s a victory that’s been a long time coming,” she said.
Both of her older sisters provided support, course advice, and emotional encouragement for her.
“We were her support system. She rarely showed struggles because she handled things well, but we made sure she always had our support,” she said.
Ela Tukutukulevu, the eldest, found watching her younger sister cross the graduation stage to be an emotionally charged moment, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices behind academic success.
“When I saw her, all I saw was the effort, the sweat, and even the tears,” she shared.
After losing their mother in 2023, graduation was a bittersweet moment—a triumph of hard work, yet filled with the sorrow of wishing she could have been there to witness it.
“Even though she’s no longer here, she remains as my source of strength and I want to dedicate this achievement to her as well,” Tukutukulevu said.
Now, standing at the end of her undergraduate journey, Tukutukulevu feels proud and deeply thankful.
“I feel like all the hard work has paid off – all the stress from assignments, the classes, the group work—everything—it’s very rewarding for me personally,” she said.
For students still navigating their own academic paths, she offered heartfelt advice.
“Never doubt yourself,” she said. “You just have to give it a shot, keep going no matter what. When you see graduates walk across that stage, know that you can do it too. All your hard work will be paid off.”
Looking forward, she planned to return to USP to pursue postgraduate studies. “I think I might just take a little break, focus on work for now,” she said. "But definitely—whether next semester or next year—I plan to return for my postgraduate studies."
Her graduation also reignited her two older sisters’ own academic aspirations. Inspired by their sister’s determination, they are now planning to return to USP to pursue further study in their own fields.
"Seeing her graduate inspired us to return to school, upskill, and make a greater impact," they said.
For Tukutukulevu and her two sisters, graduation was not the end, but the beginning of new possibilities.
Their journey at USP mirrors the aspirations of many Pacific students—resilient, grounded, and determined to succeed.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is still accepting applications for Semester 2, 2025. Students can submit their applications online via www.usp.ac.fj/apply or visit the nearest USP campus.
New and continuing students must also register for courses online via https://studentsols.usp.ac.fj/
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