Elizabeth Maddock Chaminade University EDUC 652 Dr. Mary Smith March 2013

 My final project was an exploration of a culture outside of my own. I wanted to understand how the traditions and cultures of another group influenced their real world experiences. I completed my project on a Samoan family and interviewed each member of the family asking them questions about their culture. My family had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner at the Faumuina home. It was an experience that enlightened my entire family and one that I won’t soon forget.

HAWAII AS WELL AS NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA OFFERED GREATER OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATION. “MY PARENTS MOVED HERE FOR EDUCATION.”PAUEL’I FAUMUINA

Education is Important to the Faumuina Family. “I plan to finish high school, then go on my mission, and then college. “ Saiona Faumuina, 15 years old

Many of the homes in Samoa are built into huts. The photo is an example of a hut.

The Lava-lava Iva demonstrated to me how a lava-lava is worn. She then offered the lava-lava as a gift to me. It was a wonderful learning experience for both myself and my family.

My family was graciously invited to the Faumuina’s home to experience the food of the Samoan culture as well as develop a greater understanding for the Samoan traditions, through conversation. We began dinner with a prayer, reflecting the importance of God in their lives. The prayer was said by Trisha Faumuina. She is 11 years old.

 Discover Life Team. (n.d.). Discover Life Team. Retrieved March 2013, from Samoan Language:  StateMaster. ( ). StateMaster. Retrieved March 2013, from Maps of Hawaii:  "Western Samoa." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures Retrieved March 07, 2013 from Encyclopedia.com: htmlhttp:// html  WikiMedia Commons. (2009, October). WikiMedia Commons. Retrieved March 2013, from Samoan faleo'o (thatched home), Falealupo village, Savai'i, Samoa.JPG: llage,_Savai'i,_Samoa.JPG