Siupo

UUTIAvailable

May 2

About SIUPO

Siupo comes from a big family of eight. There are many activities they enjoy doing together, but her favorite is when they sign gospel songs, country songs, and many others on Sunday mornings after attending church. She adds: “When I sing with my family, I completely relax and find myself in another world.” Singing reinforces Siupo’s family bonds and reminds her that she will be surrounded and supported by her family through the ups and downs of life.

At school, Siupo excels academically, and her teachers speak highly of her respectfulness and work ethic. She also values her strong relationships with her friends and classmates. After school, Siupo’s friends enjoy coming over to her house, where they like to eat together and tell stories. Her favorite activity is playing volleyball. She likes the fact that the sport brings a lot of people together, and it holds a special place in her life because she was taught how to play by her older brothers. Siupo used to play basketball once a week but, lately, she’s found that she needs to prioritize her busy school schedule. During her exchange year, she would love the chance to play the sport she loves again, learning the rules of the game to become an even better player!

In thinking about her exchange year, Siupo describes herself as “mature, independent, and most importantly, responsible,” and she believes these qualities will help be successful on the program. In the US, Siupo is excited to learn about and experience the American culture firsthand! Some of the things she would like to do with her host family include “seeing some tall buildings and trying some fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis.” She would also especially love the chance to visit a zoo! In her host community, Siupo hopes to be a great ambassador for Kiribati and represent her country proudly while learning from you all about the United States!

For Coordinators: Click here to access this student's application materials.