MONICA Ting is a selfless young woman who places the needs of others before her own.
Despite being only 22, she has embarked on a journey of self-discovery, but most importantly reaping the rewards of the hard work she puts in her studies.
Ms Ting is a student at the University of the South Pacific who graduated this year. She is from a large family of 10 children.
Ms ting’s mother hails from Salia in the district of Tunuloa in Cakaudrove and her father shares maternal links to Buca Village, Natewa in Cakaudrove and paternal links to Natewa and Guangzhou, China.
“My dad is a very hardworking man, he is a farmer by profession and my mum is a housewife who has always been by my dad’s side.
“I was brought up in Labasa, the only place we spent holidays was at the farm in Savusavu. “In class three, dad made a deal with us siblings that whoever topped their class will go with him to Suva and that was the first-time I ever heard of Suva.
“I seized that opportunity and worked hard to come first in class. My dad had his ways of motivating us.”
Ms Ting went on to attend St Johns College in Cawaci, Ovalau before pursuing higher education at USP.
“Ever since I was little I thought about a career in teaching. Later, I wanted to be a doctor when I was 10.
“After high school I applied to Fiji National University to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program (MBBS). I also applied to USP to join the Bachelor of Science program (BSC).
Ms Ting said there was a hiccup regarding her admission and although her family expected her to wait on the response from FNU, she went along with USP.
“Sometimes things don’t always go as expected and I believe God has his plans for us. University was a new level rollercoaster ride. Finding a few of my high school friends was comforting.”
Ms Ting said when COVID-19 struck, she was back in Vanua Levu and pursued online classes.
However, tragedy struck again when their home was lost in a horrible mishap and burnt down.
“I stayed with Dr Maria Ting, a cousin who took me in. That was a low point in my life and it was difficult to keep focused on school with so much going on, but somehow I kept going.
“Prayer has always been my guide in every situation and challenges I faced. God was there to comfort me.”
Ms ting said graduating was a whole different feeling— a mixture of emotions from the day of receiving the completion letter until the day after graduating.
“Although both my parents couldn’t make it, I was blessed to have my three brothers, and my sister-in-law attend my special day.
“My day was also complete after seeing my close circle of friends, it was important having them attend it because they were a major part of my journey through university.”
Ms ting said in the next five years she hoped to see herself in a laboratory or classroom teaching.
” And I like travel, going on a few trips for vacation anywhere around the world is definitely on my bucket list.
Her advice to the younger generation is to understand and be aware of what principle/reasoning you guide your decisions with.
“Every step you take every day is a decision made based on what or who you prioritise, but above all prioritise God.”
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