Leaving her home in India to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was a leap into the unknown for Ritu Krishna Raju. Having never traveled alone, the move came with excitement, but also the weight of being thousands of miles from her family.
Raju recounted her initial excitement mixed with the challenges of living far from her loved ones.
“When I first arrived in Hawaiʻi, I was overwhelmed—excited, but also carrying the weight of being so far from home,” she shares in her commencement speech to be delivered at the fall 2024 ceremony.
Raju quickly discovered that the warmth of aloha extended beyond a word. She found a community and formed lifelong friendships with people who shared her values and passion. These friendships became her anchor, providing encouragement and laughter through the challenges of her journey. Surrounded by good friends, she learned the true meaning of ʻohana—family that extends beyond blood—and it deepened her connection to the islands and their people.
Marine biology attracts Raju to Hawaiʻi
Drawn to UH Mānoa for its world-renowned marine biology program, Raju’s passion for the environment deepened during her studies. She interned with the Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, analyzing the vocal repertoire of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, gaining invaluable experience in marine mammal conservation. Raju also volunteered at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where she educated visitors about marine life and the importance of protecting coral reefs, sharing her love for the ocean with countless tourists.
Her time at Mānoa was enriched by more than academics. She stretched her creative wings through dance performances and involvement at Kennedy Theatre, while also creating cherished memories with friends—whether hanging out in the courtyard near the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building or engaging with her peers as a Natural Sciences Ambassador.
Growing up, breaking through
More than three years later, she can look back and reflect on how much her experience at her journey at UH Mānoa has shaped her as a person.
“Growth often comes when you least expect it, and I’ve found that stepping out of my comfort zone has revealed more about who I am than I ever imagined. I’ve grown beyond the shy, unsure person I once was into someone who can navigate challenges with purpose and a deep respect for the world around me,” Raju said. “I am thankful for my family giving me their unwavering support that got me to where I am.”
As Raju wraps up this chapter of her educational journey she is considering graduate school to specialize in marine mammal biology with hopes to raise awareness about marine conservation back home in India. She will go knowing she has found and created a second home on the other side of the world with a community Raju can call her own.
