In the beginning of my whole journey to Hawaii for college, I always had those people who doubted me. "NO YOU'RE LYING, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAWAII" or "WOW YOU'RE FANCY, GOOD LUCK PAYING THAT OFF". Or even now, when I say I went to school in Hawaii, people don't believe me. I had to beg, cry and promise my family that me leaving the birds nest would be okay. I took my first plane ride and left the small town I spent 18 years in. I came to a state that is known as paradise, and I got to live there! Waking up to breath taking 400 ft cliff views of the sparkling blue ocean, watching waves lap against the ancient volcanic stones. I did, and all by myself. I knew one person coming to this college, and met him once. I was in absolute solitaire. Back then, I had more confidence and could talk to anyone. I was feeling myself. Soon, I was able to meet friends and go on adventures that would last a life time; waking up at 2am to get into a complete strangers car to witness the biggest surf competition in history and still making it in time for a 9am class, going on soaring hikes that make you feel like a billy goat, snorkeling and screaming at giant Hawaiian sea turtles, monk seals and sting rays, being washed up by a wave rolling on to the shore, eating some of the best food- loco mocos, musbi, kaula pig, acai bowls, pa'i'ai , pho and lava flows. I had my first thanksgiving away from home, first birthday and first easter with my new Ohana. Hawaii also taught me a lot,
To always make sure you have a swim suit, a sarong and sunscreen. To not back down when you're the only white kid in class. To stand up for yourself and to fight the system. That some friends will be there until the end, and others fade out. But the most important lesson from these four years was knowing and living in the history of Hawaii. I went to school on the island of O'ahu. A lot of people know this island for Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. What a lot of people don't know is, that Hawaii is actually the name of the Big Island, and then encompasses all 8 main islands as well as over a hundred other ones. The main 8 are, Kauai, O'ahu, Maui and Big Island, then Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Niihau. There are 1.42 millon people living over all these islands. And in Honolulu alone, 953,207. Thats a lot for a college town. I learned about the night marchers, the menehune, the goddess Pele and how Hawaii was illegally overthrown and taken as part of America. How American troops trapped and forced Queen Lilokolani to give up all her rights to the land of Hawaii and forced her people to become "American". With Hawaii under my belt, with a college degree I randomly applied for an interview with Wells International School, in Bangkok Thailand. I got a first interview, and then after some miscommunication, a second one too. This position I was told, had applicants and people interviewing for from all over the world. A couple weeks later, I got the job. Deciding to accept it was a hard choice. Leaving everything and everyone I know to go to a foreign country for a two year commitment, but getting a free masters degree at the end. It paid for itself. There was tears, and 22 unanswered emails filled with questions about Visa applications, shots required for the country, loan deferment, and dress code. But, opportunities like this happen once in a life time. And I'm ready to go teach the children of Thailand.
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AuthorMy name's Mykayla. I'm from the beautiful state of Oregon. Archives
November 2019
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