Fiji National University (FNU) media graduate Kata Wiseman Koli has opened up about the challenges that shaped his journey to earning a Bachelor of Media and Communication.
“The biggest challenge I faced was being away from home, because I live in Nadi and I had to come here in Suva to stay with my relatives,” he said.
“We couldn’t do what we want to do on our own. So, we had to listen to them, and we will go according to what they want. I got some freedom, but we couldn’t do what we wanted to do.
“It’s different from staying at home.”
Koli said his faith helped him push through.
“I was just praying to God and committing myself to God and trust that he will guide me and protect me.
“God was the only one who helped me to overcome these challenges.”
He also credited FNU’s practical training for preparing him for the media industry.
“Currently, I’m a photographer at The Fiji Times. For this program, it was a requirement from FNU to do an attachment. I did my attachment at Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) for six months.
“That trained me and helped me grow the profession that I’m in right now.”
Koli said his parents were his biggest motivation.
“My parents are the inspiration, because of the challenges we encountered. Seeing my parents going through those challenges is what gave me the courage to complete my education and get a degree, to be able to walk on that stage and achieve my goals.”
He urged tertiary students to dream and not succumb to peer pressure.
