Spotlight Marushka Hirshon Spotlight Marushka Hirshon

American Samoan Harvard Law Student, Joseph V Langkilde | Applying Tautua in Higher Education Spaces

After graduating from Fa’asao Marist High School in American Samoa, Joseph V. Langkilde (JV) attended Salt Lake Community College before transferring to BYU where he majored in finance. Now a Harvard law student, JV talks about the graduate application process, provides tips for prospective law students, and discusses his grad school essay topic inspired by his family and tautua. He believes Pacific scholars should reflect on their cultural identity and how it has shaped them when applying to colleges and grad schools.

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Spotlight Marushka Hirshon Spotlight Marushka Hirshon

Samoan Harvard student, Gabrielle Langkilde | “We need our presence to be felt and known”

Born and raised on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa, Gabrielle Langkilde is now a 3rd year student at Harvard College majoring in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Sociology. Gabrielle shares her transition from island to mainland, her experience with culture shock, and the importance of creating spaces for Pacific Islanders to be empowered and represented across college campuses. 

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