by Ethan Fillinger
Leilani Solaita is currently in her sophomore year at Manna U and is a second-year intern with theExperience College Internship. She was born in American Samoa, and her family later settled in Fayetteville, NC, due to her father’s military assignment. Unlike many military families who move constantly, she has had the privilege of spending most of her life in Fayetteville.
Leilani’s journey of becoming a Manna U student and intern began with hesitation. She never felt a strong desire to attend a bible college or internship for that matter. It all started when she attended an informational session for theExperience College Internship to support a friend. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself drawn to the program. At the time, Leilani was uncertain about her career path, having originally pursued studies in marine biology at another university. Joining theExperience and becoming a Manna U student was unfamiliar territory for her, but she felt the pull of the Lord and took a leap of faith into the unknown.
Throughout her time at Manna U and theExperience, Leilani’s own words reveal her newfound passion for learning, “I have learned a lot about myself personally but also a lot about God theologically.” For the first time in her life, learning no longer feels like a chore; it feels like a reward.
The Leadership Practicum class, a required course for theExperience interns, became one of the most impactful courses for Leilani. Learning from resources like Tim Elmore’s Habitudes books, she grasped essential leadership principles, finding the importance of reflecting Christ in everyday actions. She has found herself in leadership scenarios where she never imagined she would be. Leadership was a terrifying concept for Leilani, but through her classes and access to mentors, she feels equipped and empowered to walk out the call on her life.
Reflecting on her journey, Leilani emphasized the value of community. Recognizing God’s hand in her life, she discovered the importance of authentic connections. She said, “God is showing me the importance of community; making friends before needing friends.” God designed us all for relationships, and Leilani expressed that she would not be where she is today without the leaders and mentors who poured into her life. It was due to the internship that she found a God-centered community and mentors for her life.
To prospective students considering theExperience College Internship and Manna U, Leilani left with a word of encouragement: “Be bold and don’t be afraid to step into the things that the Lord is assigning you to. I feel like there’s nothing you can lose by taking classes and learning more about leadership and God’s character.”
If you or someone you know is interested in theExperience College Internship, visit
manna.edu/theExperience to learn more about the program.
