Discovering Nicole
When the thought really counts
In our busy bubble, between end-of-semester study marathons, post-lockdown catch-ups, and the grey rain outside, I am running out of spaces to use for interviews.
Still, after many changes in venue, Nicole Fruean is five minutes early. She is waiting for me in our living room. In her hands, Nicole has a sheet of notes, with important words highlighted. She has even chosen an outfit that celebrates Samoa’s Independence Day. So when she brightly tells me that she’s been practicing for our interview, I am not surprised.
I have already learned my lesson: Nicole shows up for her people, every time.
Coming from Nicole, the thought really counts. Her words are backed up with effort, and a fun-loving smile.
Nicole walks the talk, and her answers for this interview are no different.
The highlights of our chat:
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
My greatest accomplishment would be the friendships that I have formed throughout my whole life: in primary, high school, uni, and also here, I find that it’s amazing to meet different people.
What do you value most in a friendship?
This is what I realised recently. It’s the effort that your friends put into the relationship. It’s the small stuff they do for you. For example, it’s saying, “Hi,” in the morning, or sending a text message to say, “How are you?”. Things like that hit differently compared to materialistic things that a friend could give you. Your friend could buy you your favourite stuff but it’s not the same. It’s different when they illustrate that they care, that they’re there. If that effort goes both ways, then that’s a perfect friendship.
If you knew you had one year left to live, would you change anything about the way you are living now? Why?
Okay, so how I’m living right now is constant stress and focus on my studies. I think if I was to die suddenly next year, I would be like: Don’t stress too much about it. Focus on what really matters, which is family and friends. Just spend more time on them and less on your school work. Those memories that you form are probably the best things you can take with you when you die.
Nicole’s room is usually buzzing with studious energy.
Nicole’s dream in progress:
For the past four years Nicole has worked hard towards the goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. She has juggled a heavy load of study, with cans of V, and fun times with her friends.
In a couple of weeks, this is going to change. With the arrival of June, and New Zealand’s winter, comes also the end of Nicole’s last semester at the University of Waikato.
Nicole first chose engineering because her friend was studying the subject. Since then, she has discovered a passion for developing skills that could help the people of Samoa.
Nicole is mainly interested in water engineering. Her dream is to make clean drinking water more accessible for everyone.
As new adventures, and opportunities, appear on the horizon, I’m sure that Nicole will show up prepared to meet them.