FORMER Hibiscus queen Melania Tora has graduated with a Master of Arts in Psychology, marking another milestone in a journey she hopes will help improve lives across Fiji.
Tora, 26, from Sabeto Nadi, said psychology was not originally part of her career plans.
She had wanted to become a graphic designer, but that changed when she returned to Fiji from Sydney for her final year of secondary school and took psychology because some of her subjects could not be transferred.
“From the first class I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love this’,” she said.
Psychology helped her understand her own experiences growing up and strengthened her desire to help others.
Tora completed her undergraduate psychology degree at Deakin University in Melbourne and a postgraduate diploma at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch before beginning her master’s studies in 2023.
She balanced her thesis with commitments following her 2024 Hibiscus win, crediting her parents and extended family for their support.
“My achievements are very much a reflection of the fact that I am so loved and supported,” she said.
Her thesis, *Types of Childhood Trauma Experienced by Sex Workers in Fiji*, examined childhood trauma among sex workers and a gender and age-matched comparison group with no experience in sex work.
Tora said her findings showed sex workers experienced significantly higher rates of childhood trauma, highlighting the need to understand factors behind people’s circumstances rather than judge them.
She is now an intern psychologist at Oasis Counselling and also works as a ministry coordinator at Fiji Connect.
Tora encouraged students to pursue careers they were passionate about and to embrace opportunities.
“Have your why be bigger than yourself because otherwise you’re not going to be able to weather the storms,” she said. She said young people should have the courage to pursue meaningful work where they could also give back to others.
