By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome Jevin!

We asked Jevin to share some thoughts about what made him decide to go into the physical therapy field as well as why he wanted to do his co-op here in Hawaii.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?
I attended Ridgepoint High School in Missouri Texas, I graduated from the University of Houston with my bachelors. I am currently a student at Northeastern University in Boston enrolled in the DPT program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
I was drawn to physical therapy because it's a profession where you can help others, weather it's through tough injuries or tough times in their lives. With that being said, PT is a rewarding profession, meaning the work environment is friendly and welcoming. I have the ability to interact with patients on a personal level, to create a bond that will help in the process of improving individuals through their impairments and struggles. Most importantly going through physical therapy myself, I have experienced 1st hand the impact physical therapy has on individuals in a positive way and that is what drives me to continue pursuing a DPT. 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
Coming on vacation, I loved the culture and atmosphere. To live here for 6 months is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also having many family friends in Hawaii, I am not fully alone here and that has made the move easier for myself. Most importantly, compared to the co-ops that were offered on the mainland, Fukuji and Lum I felt in the interview, valued our presence as students as much as I as a student value learning from the staff.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
Coming on vacation, I loved the culture and atmosphere. To live here for 6 months is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also having many family friends in Hawaii, I am not fully alone here and that has made the move easier for myself. Most importantly, compared to the co-ops that were offered on the mainland, Fukuji and Lum I felt in the interview, valued our presence as students as much as I as a student value learning from the staff.

What has been your experience like so far?
After a month the experience has been great. I love the working environment and the staff at F & L. Everyone has been very welcoming and has treated me as one of their own since day 1 and makes work sometimes not feel like work. As for living, I think just being surrounded by nature has been very calming and beautiful. The only issue I've come across is the time difference so keeping in touch with friends and family has been an obstacle I have had to figure out. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
I do not think I have eaten anything strange yet, but this could change in the next 5 months.

What is on your to-do list while here?
During my 6 months in Hawaii, I want to visit all the islands, do as much hiking as possible, and learn how to surf. Most importantly learn more about the culture in Hawaii and what makes life here so unique to anywhere else in the world.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I hope to be a therapist that is compassionate, understanding, and makes the patients feel comfortable and that they matter in each session. Building trust with the patient in a quick manner in order to have the best results for each patient that I will treat in the future. Overall provide a environment for the patients to want to come in and get better, and not just have to come because they have too. 

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
My mom is the greatest influence for me. Seeing how much she has accomplished coming to the United States from Vietnam, not knowing english or a high educational background. For her to be successful in everything she does, whether it is parenting, work, or even just taking care of our family. She inspires me to continue to push for my dreams and strive for success in whatever I pursue in life. Lastly, no matter how successful my mom is, she never loses sight of her values and continues to be a caring, compassionate individual who can accomplish anything in life. I hope one day I can be like her.  

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha Clare!

 

For the next 6 months, Clare and her NEU PT classmates will be working and learning at F&L. Please be sure to welcome her when you see her at our Kailua clinic and Kokokahi pool.

What school did you attend in high school and what is your current college?
I grew up in Madison, Connecticut which is a small town by the beach and went to a high school a few towns
over called Sacred Heart Academy. I went on to earn my undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University,
where I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. There I was also part of the club tennis team and actively
involved in many other campus activities. I took a gap year after graduating to work as a PT Aide and gain
experience in the field before continuing on with post-baccalaureate education at Northeastern University in
their DPT Program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
During my time in undergrad I became very interested in physical health and wellness after taking Anatomy &
Physiology as part of my courses, as well as other courses focused on health and nutrition. This interest led me
to shadow at a PT clinic, which I continued to do throughout undergrad. After graduation I worked as a PT aide
full time and the experience only solidified my interest in Physical Therapy as a career. I enjoyed the time spent
getting to know patients one on one, the relationships that were built, and the many life long benefits that
physical therapy could provide.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
The opportunity to do this co-operative experience in Hawaii was so unique that it immediately interested me.
The chance to live and work in a place that had such a reputation for beautiful scenery and culture as well as a
work experience that was focused on treating the whole person not just the injury was too good to pass up. I
knew this would be the experience of a lifetime that would allow me to grow both personally and academically.

What has been your experience like so far?
I have felt extremely welcomed by the community since being here, from coworkers to patients I have
interacted with and other locals I have met. It has been great getting to know the people while at the same time
experiencing hikes with amazing views, hidden waterfalls in the mountains, snorkeling with turtles, and all the
local food. All in all I would say the experience has been exciting and adventurous!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
The strangest thing I have eaten since arriving would have to be fresh caught sea urchin! My first weekend
here I was invited to go to the West side of the island to go snorkeling at Electric Beach. While there, a local
caught a sea urchin and I was able to try some of it fresh right on the beach!

What is on your to-do list while here?
While I definitely plan on going on as many hikes and adventures as possible while here, one thing in particular
I want to experience while here is skydiving. The views are incredible from the top of a mountain after a hike,
but I look forward to seeing them from even higher!

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I think it is important have a holistic approach to treatment, and to be able to be creative and empathetic in
order to treat the individual and not just the injury. I try to approach patient interactions in this way now, and
hope to continue to practice once I become a fully licensed Physical Therapist.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
The people who are the greatest influence in my life are definitely my parents, who work tirelessly to give
myself and my siblings the best opportunities possible and who inspire me to do the same!

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome Melissa!

Let's give a warm welcome to Melissa, one of four NEU PT students, who will be working with us this fall semester. We appreciate her being a guest blogger for our website as she shares her story of what drew her to Hawaii and why she wants to become a physical therapist.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?
I grew up in Upstate New York in the Albany area and attended Shenendehowa High School. I then continued and received my Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiological Sciences (a fancy name for exercise science) from Skidmore College. And now I am currently in Northeastern University’s DPT program.

What drew you to physical therapy?
Long story short, sports have always been a big part of my life. I started playing soccer when I was 5 and was fortunate enough to play in college. I also ran track and field throughout middle and high school. Through these years I experienced PT as the patient and spent a lot of time in the athletic training room. I didn’t officially know that I wanted to do PT until I worked/shadowed in a PT clinic during my Junior year of college. This clinic was a very welcoming environment to both their faculty and their patients. I was able to see patients from their first evaluation to their discharge. What I have grown to love about physical therapy is the ability of the therapist to build a relationship with their patients while also educating them and allowing them to be active participants in their own health.

 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?
I wanted to do my co-op in Hawaii because I have stayed in the northeast my entire life and I think it was time for me to experience something else. I was planning on going abroad my junior year but covid unfortunately didn’t allow me to, so I thought Hawaii was far enough from home to count! Northeastern also had a panel of previous co-op students that came to talk about their experience and the previous students that went to F&L had nothing but great things to say. They talked a lot about how they were treated as family when they came and how it was a very welcoming environment, which is exactly what I wanted in my co-op experience.

What has been your experience like so far?
Everything that I expected and more! I have been keeping my word and doing as many hikes as I can, trying new foods, snorkeling, and going to the beach whenever I have free time. My favorite thing that I have done so far is that I did the Moanalua/Kamananui Valley trail hike and it was the best and most challenging hike I have ever done! The clinic is also so amazing! I feel like I am going to grow so much as a student and take away so many valuable lessons over the next 6 months.

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?
I honestly haven’t tried anything that strange since getting here. The first week that I got here I went to a luau with my Dad and brother and I tried poi for the first time. It was definitely an interesting taste and I honestly don’t know if I would try it again. But I would say I am adventurous and will try almost anything at least once!

What is on your to-do list while here?
There’s a never ending list to do here in the 6 months of me living here. But I definitely want to go horseback riding, visit the other islands, and go to the observatory on the Big Island to see the stars above the clouds.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I don’t exactly know what setting I want to work in when I graduate. But I hope that I am able to treat my patients as an individual and not just some injury that I am trying to fix. In the last year, we have learned that there are a lot of elements that come together to make someone “healthy”. I hope that I can be there for my patients as a guide to help improve their health, whether it is physical or mental.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
It is so hard to pick a single person that has been the greatest influence in my life. I think there are a lot of people in my life that have taught me valuable lessons on how to be the best version of myself. But if I had to narrow it down, I would have to say that my parents have been an enormous influence on my life. They have supported me and taught me to treat others with kindness and that you never know what someone is going through.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha, Jenna!

We welcome Jenna and three of her classmates to join our F&L 'Ohana for the next six months. They are PT Coop students from Northeastern University and are here in Hawaii to learn more about outpatient physical therapy.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I’m from a small(ish) town in Massachusetts called Natick where I graduated from Natick High School. After that, I went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Western MA and got my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I’m now in Northeastern University’s DPT program in Boston, MA!

What drew you to physical therapy?

I attended physical therapy when I was younger and thought that was something I could do with my life. I went to undergrad for exercise science knowing that I wanted to pursue something that has to do with health and wellness, but I wasn’t always sure exactly what. I’ve always been passionate about the human body, and staying fit and healthy, so I thought physical therapy would be perfect for me.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

First of all, why wouldn’t I! I have never left Massachusetts prior to this co-op, so I figured this would be a great time to experience a new place. I wasn’t able to study abroad at UMass due to COVID, so this was an opportunity to make up for that. Past co-ops talked about their experience at Fukuji & Lum at a student panel, which completely sold me. They talked about how great the clinic is and how much they learned while here, both in and out of the clinic. There’s more to see in this world than just Boston!

What has been your experience like so far?

So far, it has been better than I could have imagined! Between eating, going to the beaches, hiking, and getting to know the patients and therapists at F&L, it’s been an incredibly easy transition. Everyone here is friendly and helpful, which has made the transition so much more comfortable. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

Probably uni straight from the ocean. Like I said, I like to eat, so I’ve already tried most “strange” things before. We went to Electric beach our first weekend, and someone caught sea urchin, cracked them open, and gave some to us right on the spot. Maybe not strange, but definitely salty (and really cool). 

 

What is on your to-do list while here?

Eat as much of the food as possible! I love the food here and I love trying new things, so my goal is to eat as many different foods as possible in my short 6 months! I’d also love to go island hopping while I’m here, maybe to Maui, the big island, or Kauai. 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be the type of therapist that patients are excited to see. I don’t want people to dread or feel like they “have to” attend PT. I hope to be a reliable, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapist. Hopefully I’ll be able someone’s experience in PT meaningful, and set them up for success outside of the clinic.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence in my life are my parents. They are both so supportive of me and have shown me what it is like to be passionate and successful. They have pushed me to be the best version of myself! I’m grateful to have them standing behind me in everything I do!

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Deb Matsuura

Reflecting on the Co-Op Experience

Lauren shares her favorite memories from her Co-op experience in Hawaii.

Describe a favorite highlight or memory of your experiences in the clinic and outside of work?
Our last day on the island, we met up with one of our coworkers/ friends Shelly. The six of us woke up at dawn, hopped in two cars and drove up to the most western portion of the island near Ka’ena Point. Shelly knew a small beach where dolphins usually circle in the morning. We had seen them from the shore when we were assembling our gear. We put on our fins and snorkel gear and swam out a few hundred feet off of shore. We waited and waited and after about 45 minutes we were about ready to call it quits, when all of a sudden we heard their high pitched calls. We raced back out just in time to catch them swimming by. It was a great way to culminate all of the amazing adventures and experiences I had throughout my time.

My favorite memory inside the clinic came from the Kailua Open House. The staff at Kailua worked really hard to prepare to show off the clinic to the entire staff. We prepared games, including pin the tail on the bunny with a psychedelic tie-dye bunny rabbit. Everyone took turns trying to pin the tail on the bunny with very little success, many people didn't even hit the same wall. It was my greatest memory from my time at Fukuji and Lum.

Who had the most impact on you during your time here?
My supervisor Brynn had a profound impact on my experience in Hawaii. Not only was she acgreat resource for any problems I had at the clinic but she also came to be one of my closest friends in my time there. We spent many nights playing board games or going to the beach with the rest of the co-ops. It was great to have both a mentor and a friend to go to when I had an issue. Not to mention our fiercely competitive Wordle competition.

What was the most surprising thing that you did not expect to learn?
I learned so much about Hawaiian culture not only through coworkers but many of my patients took the time to enlighten me with all of their stories and tales. One of my patients was an older gentleman who grew up right next to the current Kailua clinic, he watched Kailua town turn from a scrappy neighborhood into what it is today. One day I sneezed during our session and he said “Kihe a mauli ola” and explained that it means breath of life.

If you had to choose one word about your experience, what word would you choose?
If I had to choose one word to describe my experience at Fukuji and Lum and with my time in Hawaii, I would choose malama. Malama means to take care of and tend to. Everyone that I met in my time in Hawaii was watching over others, putting everyone else before themselves, which is really the spirit of Hawaii that I felt deeply when I was there. No matter wether it is celebrating a birthday, or sharing laughs on aloha friday, everyone's purpose is to serve others and make them feel loved.

From this experience, what intentions will you have going forward with your career?
My experience with Fukuji and Lum has given me a great idea of what a company should look like. From top to bottom the entire company treats each other as ohana, with love and respect for patients and coworkers alike. I will carry this philosophy of business into whatever company I end up at, trying to help my coworkers feel like they are at home within their work environment.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Hello to Alex!

Alex tells us about his initial motivation to become a physical therapist and how important his parents are to him. He's excited to explore the islands and grow as a PT student during his time as a co-op with us.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I grew up in a city called Quincy, Massachusetts and attended North Quincy High school. Then I went to University of Massachusetts Amherst and got my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. After taking a gap year after graduating, I am currently attending Northeastern University’s DPT program.

What drew you to physical therapy?

I had always enjoyed watching the Patriots win all their Superbowls and I wanted one of the rings. One of the ways to do that was to find my way on the field. I had seen athletic trainers and PTs run on the field and get their 15 seconds of fame and that’s what I wanted at first. After my first job in an office, I realized that I couldn’t sit still and needed to be moving around. Once I was exposed to working in a PT clinic, I really enjoyed working with patients.  Getting to meet new people every day and listen to everyone’s life experiences while helping them brings excitement to my life.

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

I don’t think that I have had anything strange since arriving in Hawaii, maybe raw octopus? I would say I’m a very adventurous eater and love food, so I am always down to try some new foods.

What is on your to-do list while here?

My to-do list while here is to be able to go to the 3 other large islands. I would also love to swim with dolphins, skydive, surf and maybe swim with sharks. Also what I’ve been accomplishing the most, to eat as much good food as possible.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

The therapist that I want to be is a trustworthy, dedicated and reliable therapist that patients are able to communicate with and trust. Being able to connect with patients in that way is what an amazing feeling and is what I hope I can do in the future.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

Why did I want to do co-op in Hawaii? Because WHY NOT!!  I had been to Hawaii last year and I loved it, so why not come back for 6 months this time. I am fortunate and grateful to have such a strong support system back at home to be able to be living this dream. Even though I am here to learn and work, I feel like I am on a 6-month vacation.

What has been your experience like so far?

My experience so far has been a dream. Everyone here is so welcoming and friendly. I am grateful that Northeastern has such a connection with the F&L family. The weather has been amazing, the beaches have been extravagant, the views have been fabulous, and the food has been impeccable.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence in my life are my parents. Coming to America from a 3rd world country and being able to give my brothers and I the life that we have had is just unfathomable. I will forever be grateful of what my parents have done for my family. They have worked so hard in their life and deserve nothing but the world and that is what my brothers and I are aiming to do for them.

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Welcome, Samantha!

Samantha grew up on the East Coast and was interested in seeing other parts of the country and experiencing something new. She tells us about her co-op experience so far and what has driven her to become a physical therapist.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I went to North Attleboro High School in North Attleboro Massachusetts. I then went to Syracuse University and got my undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in psychology. I am currently pursuing my DPT at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. 

What drew you to physical therapy?

Sports have always been a huge part of my life, so I originally was drawn to physical therapy while watching professional sports and seeing the PTs and athletic trainers on the sidelines. I thought that I would pursue working with a professional team, but after working as a summer camp counselor for the past 6 years, I definitely want to continue working with them in my career.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

After growing up and going to school in the northeast, I wanted to experience living in a different environment and embracing a whole new culture. I also love being active and enjoying the outdoors and so far, the hikes here have been absolutely incredible! Aside from the location, previous co-op students have had nothing but great things to say about Fukuji and Lum so I knew this would be a great professional learning experience. 

What has your experience been like so far?

In short, it has been amazing! We have been exploring beaches, hikes, food, and everything else the island has to offer. My favorite thing we have done so far is the Maunawili Falls Trail. 

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

Definitely poi from the Waiahole Poi Factory. It had a very interesting flavor and texture, but I would try it again as a side with a Kalua pig plate!

What is on your to-do list while here?

There are many things that I have on my to-do list here in Hawaii but my top three are diving with sharks, learning how to surf, and skydiving! I also want to try as much local food as possible. 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

In any setting, I hope to be a caring, reliable, and talented therapist. Ultimately, I hope to become a pediatric physical therapist helping kids to reach their full potential. 

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

My greatest influence is my best friend and brother John. He is only 2 and half years older than me but he is the one that got me interested in working with kids. We worked together at a sports camp at the North Attleboro YMCA for 6-7 summers and it was such a fun and rewarding job being able to make lasting connections with the kids while making lifelong memories with my brother. We grew up playing every sport together so working together to teach kids the same sports we love was awesome. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Aloha, Sarah!

Sarah tells us about her passion for becoming a physical therapist and how excited she is to be learning in such a beautiful place!

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

Hello! My name is Sarah! I am currently attending Northeastern University’s DPT program. I attended Pomperaug High School in Southbury, CT. I then attended the University of Delaware where I majored in Exercise Science.  

What drew you to physical therapy?

As an athlete growing up, I have always valued movement and exercise and know how much it impacts a person's well-being. I have always known I wanted to go into a profession where I would be able to help others and physical therapy allows me to do just that! I love how this profession enables individuals to get back to doing the activities and hobbies they enjoy by educating the patients on what they can do to help their own bodies and become an active part of their healing process. This profession allows the therapists to build a relationship with their patients to work with them to achieve their goals to get back to doing what they love. 

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

I wanted to do my co-op here in Hawaii because I have always loved traveling and exploring new places. I also felt like it was a great time to experience change and live somewhere new! I also heard such amazing things from past co-op students about their time with Fukuji and Lum and wanted to experience it myself!

What has been your experience like so far?

I have loved my experience so far and every day I wake up and feel so grateful that I am able to learn and grow in such a beautiful place. Everyone at the clinic is so welcoming and excited to share their knowledge. They are always willing to take time to explain the different aspects of their sessions from manual therapy to the exercises they chose and encourage me to learn new skills. In addition, they have been very thoughtful and spent time getting to know me as an individual. From giving me different books about Hawaii to playing games to get to know me better, I have felt very welcomed and thoroughly have enjoyed my time here so far!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

I haven’t eaten anything that strange so far. However, the most unique thing that I have tried is poi, which was new. I am very excited to try more Hawaiian foods when I am here! 

What is on your to-do list while here?

Everything and anything! Overall, I am very excited to explore everything this island has to offer and look forward to all the gorgeous hikes, long beach days, and sunrises/sunsets I am lucky enough to experience while I am here! 

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I want to be the kind of therapist that makes the patient feel like they are listened to and understood. I want patients to feel as if I am caring for them as an individual as opposed to just treating one specific injury. I want to lead with empathy, compassion, and understanding to provide the best care possible!

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influence in my life has been my grandmother. She is the sweetest person and always goes the extra mile for everyone and is so caring. Kindness and humility can be seen in everything she does and inspires me to do the same. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

Welcoming our Fall NEU PT Students!

Hello, Becky!

Becky tells us about how she became interested in physical therapy, what she's most excited for with the co-op experience, and who inspires her the most.

What school did you attend in high school and what's your current college?

I’m originally from New Jersey and I attended Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. I continued my education and earned my undergraduate degree at Trinity College in Hartford, CT where I majored in Biology and minored in Religious studies. I also played DIII collegiate volleyball. Now I’m currently a post-baccalaureate student in the DPT program at Northeastern University.

What drew you to physical therapy?

My first exposure to physical therapy was when I was 16 years old and had a high ankle sprain injury. I was trying to return to sport in the best possible shape to prevent re-injury. I had a first-hand experience with the healing and strengthening process where I really felt the benefits of PT. I then wanted to gain more experience in the field, so I started to shadow multiple outpatient PTs where I saw other patients experience improvements in quality of life. From experiencing PT as a patient and working as an aide, I liked how the profession could help people feel better. I was also able to make personal connections with patients and I enjoyed hearing individual stories.

Why did you want to do your co-op in Hawaii?

I wanted to do my co-op in Hawaii because I wanted to experience learning is a different environment. I have lived and completed my education on the East coast all my life, so given this chance I wanted to travel away from home. I also heard many great things from past co-ops about having personal growth and thought a change of scenery and new exposures would be an amazing way to do the same. 

What has been your experience like so far?

My experience in Hawaii so far has been exciting and adventurous! We have done many hikes which include Manoa falls, Lulumahu falls, Maunawili falls, Kuliouou ridge, and Olomana first peak! I have seen some spectacular views of the island! We have also done some kayaking and relaxing at the beach to get as much sun as possible! I would say so far, the North Shore is my favorite part of the island with the beautiful beaches, food trucks, and the drive along the water!

What's the strangest thing that you've eaten since arriving?

The new food I’ve had since arriving is poi which is grounded taro root. I tried it from the Waiahole Poi Factory and the consistency was interesting, but the taste was not bad. It was not my favorite thing I’ve ever eaten, but I will try anything twice. 

What is on your to-do list while here?

There are many other hikes and adventures on my to-do list while in Hawaii. The activity I’m most looking forward to is checking out the food scene in Oahu! I have not been able to do much of that, but I want to try all the local foods and some good restaurants! I am also looking forward to exploring Kualoa Ranch because I love the Jurassic Park movies and want to see where they filmed. I also plan on skydiving, swimming with sharks/turtles, and maybe take a surf lesson!

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be a therapist who is empathetic, dedicated, and creative! With patient care, I think it’s important to show the patient you are listening and that you care. Going the extra mile for a patient and/or even coworker can go a long way. Also making exercises meaningful and relatable are key for successful outcomes. I have been enjoying the holistic approach that Fukuji & Lum follows and hope to carry that into my own future practice as well.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

The greatest influences in my life are my parents. My mom has the biggest heart and will go the extra mile for people. She has shown me that being kind to others makes a difference. My dad is hard working and intelligent, but also very funny. He has taught me working smart, showing humility, and not taking life to seriously are ways to be successful in the future. My parents have so many great qualities and have raised me to strive to be the best I can be while also being responsible, empathetic, and able to persevere. I’m grateful to have them in my life as such amazing role models. 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha
By Hillary Lau

A Reflection on the Co-Op Experience

Berika

Berika tells us what she unexpectedly learned through her co-op experience and reflects on her time on island. 

What was the one experience that you think was the highlight of the experience? one in the clinic and one outside the clinic.

One of the highlights of my experience was the company retreat! Because my coop took place while COVID was and is still thriving, there weren't too many opportunities to interact with majority of the staff outside of the clinic until the retreat. Seeing everyone on a day to day basis was always great, but watching everyone team up to play volleyball, get massages, and do yoga was even better. I knew it was something that everyone looked forward to every year, and the hype did not fall short when the day came. It was just as fun as we had all hoped and probably even more so for me. Watching Art and Lauren Lum smack each other with pool noodles was just a cherry on top to this day as well.

Outside of the clinic, sky diving for my birthday was a highlight of my time spent in Hawaii! Seeing the North shore land and ocean while falling from 12,000 feet in the air was such a stunning and thrilling experience. Words and pictures can only capture how beautiful and meaningful the entire experience was. Easily one most exciting things I've done in life, and I highly recommend!

Who had the most impact on you during your time here?

My roommates actually had the most impact on me during my time here. We went from not really knowing each other as classmates to moving to an island together and becoming really well acquainted roommates, coworkers, and friends. Going home each day and being able to share what we learned from our respective clinics was such a unique experience that you don't really get from any other coop site. I can only speak for myself, but you absolutely learn so much from spending 6 months together especially when we came from different backgrounds, parts of the country, and with different personalities too. Yes, it was chaotic at times , but for me, I began PT school and my coop being closed off to forming relationships, and I left this experience with some of the most sincere relationships I've ever had. We will always have this shared experience of living in Hawaii for 6 months together.

What was the most surprising thing that you did not expect to learn?

The most surprising thing I did not expect to learn was that I really enjoy aquatic therapy. Before coming to Fukuji and Lum for coop, I knew they offered aquatic therapy, but because I had no water sports or swimming background I did not expect myself to be working at the pool. But I was scheduled at the pool on one of my first days and I soon learned that the aquatic therapy staff are all amazing people, the patients are one of a kind, and the entire setting was a lot different than I had expected it to be and in all the right ways. I'm proud to say I even learned how to swim on one of my first days!  The aquatic therapy portion of my coop experience was absolutely something I did not know I needed in my life!

 

Happy at Work Learning with Aloha