It’s the same story every year. Stores stock their shelves with colored pencils and spiral notebooks. Students sit behind computer screens diligently picking the courses they will take in fall. Then you board a jet plane to land in a city 5,000 miles away. Right?
At least that’s what incoming freshman Noah Paoa from the remote location of Easter Island did this year.
Easter island is one of the most isolated places on earth. The nearest populated area is located over 1,000 miles away. Famous for its giant Moai statues, the island known as Rapa Nui is a tiny stretch of land in the South Pacific that is 1/20 the size of Rhode Island.
“Tiny island,” Paoa said when asked about his home. “You can get from one side to the other one in 20 minutes by car. Or 30 minutes walking from one side of town to the other one.”
Aside from the lack of ocean, the biggest difference Paoa notices between the University of Oregon and his home is the number of people. Easter Island garnishes a population of nearly 5,000, while Oregon is filled with over 5 times as many people.
The community on the island is smaller and closely connected. As Paoa put it, “Everybody knows everybody.”
This Pacific Islander decided to attend UO after meeting with the Dean of Clark Honors College, Terry Hunt. The dean has visited Easter Island several times over the past 12 years directing archaeological field research and studying the islands colossal statues and moments.
“We had a meeting with him (Terry Hunt) and he offered us to apply for scholarships for the U of O, and it was my best option to get in then,” Paoa said.
Paoa has adjusted well to life at the dorms, and has a roommate, Aaron Smet.
Smet says Paoa “is a really nice guy,” but that that he thinks “he struggles with the amount of people he sees every day.”
Smet also said, “he’s got a little bit of an accent, but his English is good.”
Not only is he well versed in English, but Noah Paoa is fluent in Spanish and the island’s language, Rapa Nui, as well. While his langage skills may be great, he does admit to struggling with words such as “refrigerator” and “ice cream.”
It can be difficult for many international students to make the jump to a new country, but several abroad students at the university think it speaks well of their character.
“I think it shows their determination to get a great education no matter where they have to go. It’s impressive seeing them take the leap to leave their home country, a place they’re so familiar, and to take the steps to come to such a random state as Oregon.” said Lorenzo Arroda, a dorm mate of Paoa’s. “It’s really brave of them and honorable in some ways.”
Upon obtaining a degree for his major in geology, Paoa plans on returning to his island home.
“I miss the sea. It’s a part of me.”