Kitti-Talei Darlene Drodrolagi, a 27-year-old graduate of the University of the South Pacific (USP), embodies the idea that a second chance at education is truly a second chance at life. Kitti has recently earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree after overcoming various challenges along her academic journey.
Hailing from Lautoka, her educational path began at Drasa Avenue Primary School, which she credits for nurturing her interests. She later attended Tilak High School, where she admits she faced some distractions but still performed reasonably well. Despite struggling during Year 13, Kitti was determined to go to USP, prompting her to spend an additional year at Fiji Agape Mission School to improve her results.
Repeating a year did not deter Kitti; rather, it ignited a desire within her to rise above her setbacks and pursue her goals with newfound determination. She enrolled in her degree program in 2019 at the Lautoka regional campus and remained focused until she accomplished her objectives.
Kitti acknowledges that her mother’s long association with USP provided her with valuable support and resources, while her father, despite living in Papua New Guinea, offered unwavering encouragement from afar. Throughout her academic journey, Kitti encountered various obstacles, especially adjusting to online learning and a new curriculum format, which made her miss real-time interactions with her peers and lecturers. Nonetheless, her perseverance led her to successfully complete her studies.
Now equipped with her degree, Kitti is eager to enter the job market and help meet Fiji’s human resource needs. She is currently awaiting responses to several job applications and maintains a positive outlook for the future. Her accomplishments can be attributed to her faith, familial support, and sheer determination.
Kitti offers advice to current students: “Even if you feel like giving up, just keep going!”