Titaya Moonsarn, a senior from Thailand majoring in marketing, shares how her conversion to the Church, her path to BYU–Hawaii, and her love for marketing would enable her to become a disciple of Jesus Christ.
“A Spiritually Similar Place”
Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Moonsarn grew up in a predominantly Buddhist country. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2011 at the age of 12 after missionaries introduced the gospel to her family. “My mother had been interested in God as a teenager, but she wasn’t able to pursue it at the time,” she explained. “When the missionaries came to our house, it answered our prayers. I was baptized three months later.”
When Moonsarn began serving the Australia Adelaide Mission in 2018, she had no idea it would set her on a path to BYU–Hawaii. Introduced to the university by her mission president, she saw it as an opportunity to combine education with spiritual growth. “I loved serving a mission and being surrounded by good people,” she shared. “That’s why I chose BYU–Hawaii. It’s a similar place where I can grow not only spiritually and academically as well.”
Three Years of Blessings
Now a senior majoring in marketing with minors in visual arts and health and fitness, Moonsarn reflects on how her time at BYU–Hawaii has transformed her life. She cherishes the proximity to the Laie Hawaii Temple, which has allowed her to attend weekly ordinance sessions and strengthen her testimony of Christ—an opportunity she didn’t have in Thailand (until the completion of the Bangkok Thailand Temple in 2023), where temple visits required long journeys to Hong Kong or Manila.
Moonsarn also values the faith-centered education at BYU–Hawaii, where professors encourage students to integrate gospel principles into their learning by praying in class and connecting faith with academics, making her education deeply meaningful. Lastly, she treasures the diverse community, which has enabled her to build friendships with people worldwide and gain a deeper appreciation for their experiences and cultures. “It’s a different environment, but the diversity here has taught me to appreciate other cultures and understand people’s backgrounds more deeply,” she said.
Building a Future in Marketing
Moonsarn’s passion for marketing stems from her love of social media and graphic design. She is currently honing her skills as a marketing assistant at the Seasider Snack Bar, where she’s involved in promoting the business and planning events like the upcoming Night Market event on January 29.
As the lead organizer of the Night Market, Moonsarn has taken on a significant role in ensuring the success of the event, which will take place on January 29 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm in the Aloha Center. The event will feature food trucks from across the Laie community, as well as vendors selling crafts and merchandise, offering students a fun and engaging evening. If successful, the Night Market is planned to occur twice each semester. “It’s like the food fest but on a smaller scale. I’m working on both the social media promotions and the overall event planning,” she said, highlighting how her employment in the Seasider Snack Bar allows for opportunities to promote food-focused events to students.
Moonsarn’s work on this project is not only a reflection of her marketing skills but also an opportunity for her to qualify for the prestigious Student Leadership Program (SLP) Merit Award. This scholarship rewards students for projects that enhance Food Services operations and prepare them for future professional endeavors. “It’s a fun project related to my major, and it has helped me learn about making plans and putting everything together,” Moonsarn shared.
After graduation, Moonsarn plans to return to Thailand to pursue a career in social media marketing. She hopes to combine her marketing and graphic design expertise to make an impact in the digital space.
“Accomplish What the Lord Asks”
Titaya’s time at BYU–Hawaii has prepared her academically and deepened her faith. “Everything we do here is centered on the gospel,” she explained. “Attending church and the temple regularly has helped me grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The people around me inspire me with their examples, and I’ve learned so much from them.”
Her favorite scripture verse comes from the Book of Mormon, found in 1 Nephi 3:7, which is a guiding principle in her life: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” She added, “Whenever I feel hesitant or afraid, this verse reminds me that the Lord will always prepare a way for me to accomplish what He asks. It comforts me to know that everything will be alright as long as I follow Him.”
With her strong work ethic and passion for learning, Titaya Moonsarn is excited to step into the next chapter of her life. Whether designing graphics or managing social media campaigns, she is determined to make a difference in her home country while continuing to live by the gospel principles she has embraced at BYU–Hawaii.