Even her name tells a story. “My middle name is a Yapese name passed down through generations. It’s my dad’s sister’s name,” she explains. For Torwan, lineage, family, and tradition are lived realities that continue to shape who she is.

Studies Shaped by Culture

Born and raised in Yap, Torwan chose the University of Guam for reasons that reached beyond academics.

“I decided to attend UOG because it offers a better education while being close to home,” she says. “Coming from Yap, Guam is a really good choice for me because it’s a good balance, both culturally and geographically.”

That sense of familiarity mattered. Moving away from home is never simple, but Torwan found comfort knowing she could remain within reach of her roots. A senior currently double majoring in Criminal Justice and Public Administration, she sees her studies as closely tied to the values she was raised with. 

“My major requires honesty and being cautious in what you’re doing, and it reminds me of my culture because before you do something, you rethink all your choices and be cautious,” she points out.

In this way, her academic journey is not separate from her identity. It reflects values she carried since childhood. 

A Community Away from Home

Even with her academic goals, Torwan’s transition to Guam and UOG wasn’t without hurdles. Naturally introverted, she would constantly find herself hesitant to speak up in class because of how unfamiliar she was with the environment. However, she began finding her footing in a different space: the University’s Residence Halls. 

“I’d say I've kind of changed over the years. The Residence Halls helped me connect with other groups from the other Micronesian Islands who also left their homeland to come to Guam for school,” she says.

When a new regulation required the Residence Life Office to assign roommates rather than letting students choose, Torwan was initially frustrated. Yet it became a catalyst for new connections. 

“I’m kind of glad, because of that regulation I got to meet someone from Palau, and I feel like if we weren’t roommates at first, I wouldn’t even bother having a conversation with her,” Torwan admits.

The dorms became more than housing; they became a reminder. “Whenever I have a bad day and I go back and see people mingling or telling stories, it reminds me of where I am supposed to be.” 

The Art of Dancing

Although she is physically away from Yap, Torwan remains connected to her culture through friendships, shared meals, and community gatherings. She is an active member of the Yap Community of Guam and often joins their dances. 

Introduced to the art of dancing at a young age, Torwan upholds this cultural practice, explaining, “Dancing connects me to my ancestors and the values that it comes with.” When she dances outside of home, the meaning deepens. Everything from the chants to the rhythm of bamboo striking bamboo echoes the journeys of movement, travel, and transition, similar to their migration from Yap to Guam. 

More than just a performance, dancing has become Torwan’s internal compass, guiding her movement through everyday life. 

“Dancing teaches you to be humble and respectful to not just the elders, your community, and your village, but also to yourself,” she shares. “You have to respect your body, most importantly, the way you speak and think of yourself.”

She continues to dance with immense pride knowing that being far away from home, she is still representing the island through cultural identity with hopes of influencing the younger generation to take part in preserving their culture, as it is a part of who they are.

A Forward Rhythm

Personal aspirations and responsibility remain at the core of what motivates Torwan. “My goal is to get my degree to create better opportunities for myself, gain the skills and knowledge I need to give back to my community at home.”

For Ryianna Chulee Torwan, the dance doesn’t end when the bamboo stops striking or the
chants fade into the air. It continues the same way she approaches her studies—with determination, pride, and humility.