Sumiya Munkhbaatar, a senior from Mongolia majoring in business management with an emphasis in finance, shares her journey to BYU–Hawaii and how her experiences have shaped her as a future leader and servant of the Lord.
Healing and Miracles
As a Mongolian, Munkhbaatar was part of a Buddhist family. She first encountered the gospel at the age of seven through her cousin, who was meeting with missionaries. At the time, Munkhbaatar was suffering from a skin condition that defied diagnosis.
“I saw a video of Christ performing miracles and healing people,” she recounted. “I felt so related to the sick and afflicted people in the video and wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ, hoping He could heal me.” After discussions with missionaries and receiving a priesthood blessing, Munkhbaatar, and her sister chose to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was eight years old. Their younger brother joined the Church more than a decade later in 2018. “I learned of Jesus Christ, my healer, and Savior,” Munkhbaatar said.
A Childhood Dream Fulfilled
Growing up, Munkhbaatar was inspired by stories about BYU–Hawaii from alumni. “When I was 12, my sister and I dreamt about studying at BYU–Hawaii, imagining ourselves studying at BYU–Hawaii and talking about what we would do almost every day,” she shared. Together, they prepared spiritually and academically, keeping their eyes on the goal of attending BYU–Hawaii.
Her sister achieved this dream in 2016 and shared her experiences, further encouraging Munkhbaatar to pursue the same path. Serving in the Korea Seoul Mission was an important step in her preparation, eventually culminating in her admittance to BYU–Hawaii in 2021.
“A Service-Oriented Leader and Disciple”
During her time at BYU–Hawaii, Munkhbaatar and her team represented the university at the 2023 Enactus USA social entrepreneurship competition and received first place. Working under the mentorship of Professor PJ Rogers, she helped develop a project focused on alleviating food insecurity in Kiribati and Mongolia.
“This experience transformed me into a better person and taught me many new skills and the importance of hard work,” she explained. Beyond technical skills, she was inspired by the example of Professor Rogers. “When he sees something that can be done, he gets it done, whether it is trash to be picked up or a dish to be cleaned. I have learned from leaders like PJ about how to be a service-oriented leader and disciple.”
Bridging Cultures and Building Economies
Munkhbaatar—who is minoring in political science, Asian studies, and entrepreneurship—says her Holokai journey at BYU–Hawaii has equipped her with the knowledge and skills to pursue her goals of growing the tourism industry in Mongolia. “I want to use my understanding of business management and finance, and my entrepreneurial spirit to grow the tourism industry in Mongolia,” she shared. “After graduating, I plan to start my tourism business to bridge people from different countries with Mongolian culture, increase job opportunities in the countryside, and contribute to the Mongolian economy through increased tourism.”
Her coursework and internships have helped her translate her ideas into actionable business plans, and she is excited to bring those plans to life after graduating.
Being a “Force for Good”
“I am a better disciple of Jesus Christ because of the opportunity to attend BYU–Hawaii, where there are many people who share the same values and beliefs as mine,” Munkhbaatar said, crediting the university for her spiritual growth. She cherishes the proximity to the Laie Hawaii Temple, which has constantly increased her faith. “I had never lived so close to a temple before coming to BYU–Hawaii. The opportunity to go to the temple has been one of the greatest blessings here.”
Sumiya Munkhbaatar’s journey showcases endurance, faith, and a commitment to making a difference. As she carries with her the lessons learned and the vision to uplift her community and country, she says, “My time at BYU–Hawaii has prepared me to be a disciple leader and a force for good,” she said. She is poised to transform dreams into reality and inspire others along the way, just like her Savior did with her life.