Weerawat Meeprolam, a senior from Thailand majoring in business marketing, believes that faith, discipline, and hard work are crucial to a student's success at BYU–Hawaii.
Foundations of Faith and Family
Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Meeprolam remembers being raised in a devout Buddhist family, where his faith looked very different than it does today. Growing up in Thai culture is something he holds dear and carries with him. In Thai culture, with a deep emphasis in valuing respect, harmony, and strong family bonds, these principles led him to believe in Jesus Christ, whom he sees as a great example of all those values.
"I was very unsure about joining," remembers Meeprolam, "but the missionaries shared a scripture, Alma 32:21 [in The Book of Mormon], which talked about nurturing a seed and how faith is about hope and belief in things that are not yet realized. That message helped me take my first steps toward joining the Church."
Being the eldest of four brothers wasn't easy. His father was the family's sole breadwinner, while his mother took care of their home and occasionally took on side jobs when needed. Despite their challenges, Meeprolam's parents instilled strong values in him and his brothers—hard work, humility, and respect; guiding beliefs that have shielded them from the peer pressure of worldly norms. These principles would later strengthen his testimony as he joined the Church and prepared for his mission.
A Defining Mission Experience
Meeprolam was called to serve in the Australia Melbourne Mission. Though excited to go to Australia, he knew the language would be a barrier since he mostly spoke his mother tongue. Still, he was determined to learn as he went and rely on spiritual promptings to guide him.
One such prompting, while serving in the town of Ballarat, west of Melbourne, felt a strong urge to visit a particular family on the far west side of the ward boundary. This family was on the reactivation list that the ward bishop gave the missionaries and out of all the families listed; they were the furthest from the town center. Missionaries are only allowed to drive occasionally to conserve mileage, so Meeprolam and his companion would walk most days to reserve the allocated miles for long trips.
When they first visited, they were surprised to learn no one had ever contacted or come to see the family. The household lived on a large farm, so Meeprolam and his companion decided to visit only on their preparation or ‘P’ Day. They began helping on the farm each week until they were invited to share a gospel message.
"I wasn't very vocal when it came to sharing the gospel because my English wasn't that good," recalls Meeprolam. "But I knew I could still share the gospel through service. I grew up doing manual labor, so this was something I could do."
He and his companion continued visiting the family, and soon other ward members began reaching out as well. Eventually, the family returned to Church a month after the initial visit. Meeprolam learned that through small acts of kindness and consistency, they were able to lift the family's spirits and strengthen their faith.
Integrity and Mentorship
Coming home from his mission was a tough transition. Meeprolam found work as a hotel employee, where people didn't understand his beliefs. Some questioned why he wore garments, claiming they didn't match hotel uniform standards, while others tried to tempt him to break the Word of Wisdom. Still, he remained true to his faith.
He didn't feel the need to explain himself—he simply tried to be an example. That's where Meeprolam learned the real meaning of integrity: staying true to his beliefs even when it seemed everything and everyone was against him.
He found comfort and encouragement in his bishop and stake president—the same leaders who had urged him to serve a mission. They also encouraged him to apply to BYU–Hawaii.
"I never saw myself as someone who would attend college in another country," Meeprolam said. "My high school G.P.A. was above average at best. I wasn't one of the smart kids—I just gave enough effort to get by. But knowing my bishop and stake president had my best interests at heart, I decided to apply."
Meeprolam didn't get in the first time due to his G.P.A., so he applied for a distance learning program to raise his grades. He worked hard, earned straight A's, and was finally admitted to BYU–Hawaii the second time.
Time Management and Discipline
With a dream of working in the corporate world, Meeprolam chose to study Business Management with an emphasis on Marketing, thinking it would be easy. To his surprise, it was more complex than he expected.
"I'm a timid guy sometimes and a bit of an introvert," he said, "but this major forced me out of my bubble. It pushed my creativity and taught me people skills and strategies."
Time management quickly became one of his biggest challenges, something many students can relate to. To stay organized, Meeprolam turned to what he learned on his mission: weekly planning. The system worked. He managed to attend classes, submit assignments early, and still has time for work and social activities.
"College life can be hard, and sometimes not everything you plan for will come to fruition. I've made many mistakes, but I've learned that it's okay to mess up sometimes—as long as you continue striving to improve," he said.
He believes that success requires sacrifice. He stayed up late to finish assignments and woke up early for the gym. To Meeprolam, a life committed to excellence isn't easy, but it's rewarding. He's also grateful for the variety of healthy options in the Banyan Dining Hall that keep him fueled and consistent with his fitness goals.
A Determination for Dance
One of Meeprolam's biggest challenges—and blessings—was joining HA: Breath of Life, the premier show at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Though he had no dance or performance background, he admired Polynesian culture and dance styles, so he auditioned.
There were moments when he doubted whether it was a good decision. "I had to put in twice the effort and push myself through the grueling training regimen and choreography. I still have some scars and burn marks to prove it," he said. "There were times I tripped, rolled, or bumped into something or someone, but I had to keep a smile on my face and continue –the show must go on."
After months of intense training, Meeprolam became part of the ensemble—not as a novice, but as an equal. He went on to perform in the night show, Ali'i Luau (Royal Feast), and the Huki Show, where dancers perform on moving canoes. He continues to perform at the PCC and will dance until graduation later this year. The experience taught him that progress comes from pushing forward, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.
Looking Ahead: Lifting Others
If Meeprolam could give one piece of advice to his younger self, it would be: "Don't be afraid to make mistakes—just have a desire to be better, real growth comes when we leave our comfort zones and push ourselves."
For a long time, he believed he had no talent. He couldn't sing or dance, and despite being 6'2", he didn't even know how to play basketball. But over time, he came to see that God had a plan. His experiences, his upbringing—every part of his story—had purpose.
Now, as he prepares to graduate from BYU–Hawaii, he's aiming to pursue a master's degree—something he never thought possible. His time at the university taught him that perfection isn't required for progress. "You just have to begin," he often says.
Looking ahead, Meeprolam hopes to return to Thailand to become a mentor for youth from humble backgrounds like his own. He wants them to see his journey and know that they too can succeed. He plans to use the knowledge, experience, and network he's built to uplift others, opening doors, creating opportunities, and reminding them that it's never too late for a second chance.