Bachelor of Social Work

In social work, I have found many people deeply concerned with the thoughts and well-being of others, a journey which has influenced my own choices prior to, during, and after my time at Massey.

I grew up in Laos, one of the most impoverished nations in Southeast Asia, whilst living in comfortable luxury. I came from a place of privilege but was surrounded by poverty. And those who were expatriates within Laos, like myself, were people who sought to live a life of advocacy and service. That example drove me, first deeper into religious faith, then later into social work. I had strongly considered seminary but decided against it. Rather, I chose social work without fully understanding the concept, but I knew it was about people and I knew that people mattered. 

As simple as that may sound, my study at Massey was not the result of any long-held desire to study there, rather it was a choice made after many unforeseen circumstances. I had not planned to stay in New Zealand initially and I had not planned to stay at Massey, but when I returned to New Zealand in 2013, I found myself in need of a new place to call home. I stayed close to my grandmother, the matriarch of our family, on the North Shore and my church. Ultimately, I wanted to be close to people who were important to me and Massey provided that. However, as time progressed, I found myself not only at home with those around me, but also at home on the campus and in my studies at Massey.

When I began the Bachelor of Social Work, I almost quit. I was six weeks into my degree and questioning my resolve. It is not a degree with high financial prospects (that is not the purpose) nor a degree where you can leave your character unexamined. I was constantly confronted with the question of who I am, resulting in tears and brokenness by the end of my second year. At the same time, I found myself in love with the culture and the way people think, how systems interlink, and the way policy is formed. Where I was once unsure of if I should stay, I found myself entrenched in ideas which fascinate me to this day.

As a final note of amusement, my current employment is not where I envisioned I would be. Yes, it is one of the classic social work professions and while the well-being of children has been part of my journey, I did not imagine I would be where I am today. Yet, I would not change it for a moment. The journey I have been on has shown me that while I may have a notion of what I want, that which I am given holds value I would not have anticipated and often far exceeds my expectations.