Seven students are studying abroad this semester with the help of scholarships that are expanding their academic and career paths in Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Each of them wrote to Carolina Lam, director of , to share how the experience is shaping their studies, goals and sense of possibility.

“It took the financial burden that I was worried about off my shoulders and in turn, allow[ed] me to focus on my studies,” said Linguistics major Mila Davis, studying in Japan. “I think studying abroad will be a beneficial experience to have for a lot of careers.”

Cassie Gault, majoring in tropical agroecology and studying in Australia, said the scholarship gives her room to focus on academics, extracurriculars and personal growth. When she returns, she hopes to mentor students who want to go abroad but feel overwhelmed by the process.

In Japan, Kensuke Panek is studying English and Japanese studies, building connections with students and faculty. He hopes to help strengthen ties between UH Hilo and Meiji University.

Hawaiian studies and political science major Ku Quanan is studying abroad for the first time. She sees this step as a turning point for her confidence and hopes more local students will see global education as possible for them, too.

Business major Rachael Rush is immersed in life and coursework in Madrid, gaining skills she hopes to use in international business.

In Aotearoa (New Zealand), Kahiau Snyder is exploring the connections between ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) and te reo Māori (Māori language).

“This scholarship helped me study in Aotearoa and learn mātauranga (Māori knowledge) that I will carry with me throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) and linguistics.”

Royce Ken Yasutake, studying in Japan, plans to use his growing Japanese language skills in the tourism industry and share practical advice with future participants.

A big benefit of the study abroad program is that students pay UH Hilo tuition when they are abroad and then come home with newfound knowledge and experience to finish their degree program.

For more go to .

—By Susan Enright

The University of ����ԴDz� Campus Center Ballroom transformed into a colorful hub of games, workshops and music on November 7, as more than 800 people gathered for Nippon Culture Day. The annual event, hosted by the Department of (EALL), offered a full day of hands-on activities highlighting Japanese language, art and community traditions.

Attendees moved from table to table, trying everything from calligraphy and gift-wrapping to traditional Japanese card games such as hanafuda and karuta. Students practiced koto (Japanese string instrument) and sanshin (Okinawan string instrument), folded intricate origami and tested their skills at manga (comic book) character drawing and katakana (character) recognition game. Members of the Japanese Culture Club also supported a station, helping guests of all ages jump in.

“Our department has long been engaged in the study of Japan,” said Hiromi Uchida, a Japanese language instructor. “We see this event as a valuable opportunity for both learning and community building, and we hope to continue making Nippon Culture Day an exciting and enjoyable experience for all students and the community.”

Traditions up close

Nippon is the Japanese word for Japan. Culture-focused workshops ran throughout the morning and afternoon. Visitors sat for abacus lessons, learned the basics of ikebana (flower arrangement) in small-group sessions and experienced the quiet focus of a tea ceremony inside Jaku’an, the campus tea house.

Information tables connected students with academic and professional opportunities tied to Japan. Representatives from UH ����ԴDz�’s (COS), , Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program and spoke with attendees about travel and study opportunities. Japan Airlines also provided details about career tracks.

As the afternoon continued, the event shifted to live performances featuring koto and sanshin demonstrations. The day ended with a bon dance, inviting everyone to celebrate together.

Nippon Culture Day is co-sponsored by the UH ����ԴDz� and COS. Located within the , the EALL department has hosted the free event for more than 20 years.

is growing its international exchange program through a new agreement with in Korea. Starting in fall 2025, students will have the chance to study abroad while staying connected to their home institution.

“Our focus is developing pilina (relationships), and that’s what makes us special—our focus on nurturing relationships with our partner schools,” said Coordinator Kyoko Ikeda.

Kauaʻi CC had already built strong ties with three Japanese universities, with more than 50 students participating in exchanges over the past decade. The decision to expand into Korea was driven by both personal connections and a desire to broaden cultural learning opportunities. Kauaʻi CC English Instructor Ashley Brady, who previously lived and taught in Jeju, helped establish the new partnership.

Through the exchange, students pay tuition at Kauaʻi CC but can study at Jeju National University, making it an affordable way to gain global experience. However, travel costs such as airfare remain a hurdle.

“Many of our students could use financial support, and I really want our students to see the world and gain perspectives that you can only gain from leaving your home,” Ikeda said. “We want them to come back home with a renewed sense of the world. I want our students to have that understanding of interconnectedness.”

Community members can help support student travel by .

“We have so much to offer as an island community, and we have so much to learn from other island communities,” Ikeda said.

In an inspiring display of global collaboration, University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� Professor Brian Szuster recently brought his expertise to the heart of Bangladesh, empowering a new generation of rural development professionals from Asia and Pacific to help drive sustainable change. This initiative was funded through an $86,600 LuceSEA Transitions grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to UH ����ԴDz�’s (CSEAS).

“I designed my training to be accessible to people. The ideas can still be complicated, but I simplify the way I describe the ideas,” Szuster said. “It was a challenge to simplify the presentation and keep the content sophisticated. But that’s doable when you have students like this group of young professionals who are so eager to learn.”

Development and preservation

Szuster’s two-day intensive training session at the Young Development Experts Connection program in Cumilla, Bangladesh focused on balancing development needs with environmental preservation. The program, hosted by the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and organized by the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific, brought together more than 30 ambitious young professionals.

Bangladesh is the world’s fifth most populous country and faces monumental challenges in sustainable development.

“Just the logistics of providing everyone with housing, food, water, employment, healthcare, and education is a gigantic challenge,” said Szuster.

Szuster’s innovative program helps align UH with its mission to foster international collaboration in addressing global challenges.

The welcomed 19 students from Japan’s for the Aloha Law Program, an immersive two-week exchange introducing Japanese students to the U.S. legal and political systems, earlier this fall. Funded by the Hakuoh and Sueoka Foundations, the program featured lectures, legal site visits and cross-cultural exchanges.

“The Aloha Law Program reflects UH Community Colleges’ commitment to fostering international collaboration and preparing students for a globally connected world,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president of UH Community Colleges.

Fourth-year Hakuoh student Ryusei Nagamori said, “As Japan continues to engage in trade with the U.S., a solid understanding of American law will be essential for navigating future business transactions.”

A highlight was a visit to the , where Justice Sabrina McKenna, who earned a law degree from the UH ����ԴDz� in 1982, shared her perspective on U.S. and Japanese legal systems, sparking insightful discussions on comparative judicial frameworks.

Lecturers included other distinguished alumni from UH’s and covered a range of topics from constitutional law to business law.

UH alumni guest presenters included:

• Dara Nakagawa—U.S. Political and Court Systems
• Dawn Nakagawa—Common Law Principles and Contract Law
• Travis Kuwahara—U.S. Political and Court Systems
• Shimpei Oki—Business Law Overview
• Spencer Kimura—U.S. and Japan Legal System Overview
• Charles Crumpton—U.S. Political System History; Mediation and Arbitration
• Brandon Marc Higa—U.S. Constitutional Law Overview, Bill of Rights, Due Process

“It offers a rare opportunity for cross-cultural learning in a legal context,” said Deborah Nakagawa, former UH Community Colleges executive director for international education. “It’s inspiring to witness our future leaders build bridges of understanding between two distinct legal traditions.”

Professor Hiroyuki Yuzuriha of Hakuoh University said, “Our students gained invaluable insights from the lectures and interactions with legal professionals in �鶹��ý.”

—By Brandon Marc Higa

In an exciting step toward international collaboration, the welcomed a delegation from the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) in May as both universities prepare to implement a program for an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree for international students from undergraduate institutions abroad.

The initiative, with NTOU stems from agreements signed by the universities in November 2023 during a visit to Taiwan by UH President David Lassner.

“We’re not only enhancing educational opportunities but also building bridges between cultures,” said Lassner. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing global understanding and academic excellence.”

The NTOU delegation was focused on research strengths shared by both universities during its visit to UH ����ԴDz�. Those areas include ocean engineering, shipping management, food science, environmental biology and fisheries science.

NTOU representatives met with Dean Chip Fletcher and Dean Brennon Morioka to discuss ways to develop an expanded pathway for NTOU students to earn graduate degrees at UH ����ԴDz�.

More intercampus opportunities

Starting in the summer 2025, NTOU and UH plan to open applications for UH students to intern at the Taiwan university. The short-term program aims to enhance the UH students’ understanding of life in Taiwan and research fields at NTOU.

Opportunities for studying abroad have also been extended to students in the UH ����ԴDz� Chinese Flagship Program. A three-year capstone program, providing students the opportunity to pursue yearlong Chinese language study in Taiwan, was made possible through a donation by NTOU alumnus Chia-Pei Wang, facilitated by the Alice & JP Wang Foundation and the UH Foundation.

The NTOU Chinese Language Center is also considering collaboration with UH in Chinese language teaching.

University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner delivered commencement addresses at Asahi University and Meikai University in Japan in March to about 1,700 graduates. Lassner praised the students for their academic achievements and highlighted the impactful ties between UH and the two Japanese institutions over the years.

“I hope you feel great pride in all that you have accomplished, and are excited about new possibilities that are open to you as you enter into the next stage of your life,” said Lassner in his speeches. “I have every confidence looking at you today that the superb education you experienced here has prepared you with the knowledge, skills, and passion to grow as lifelong learners.”

In September 2023, Asahi and Meikai Universities contributed $20,000 toward UH relief efforts to help students and employees impacted by the Maui wildfires.

Long-term partnerships

Since 2009, 140 students from Meikai’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management have enriched their education through UH summer programs fostering camaraderie and cross-cultural understanding. UH students in return have gone on short-term and semester-long exchange programs, which have provided them with valuable experiences in Japanese industry and culture.

The partnership with Asahi University has flourished since 2018, when students from the School of Health Science were hosted at the UH Mānoa College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. This collaboration has resulted in successful outcomes for students and faculty, with ongoing research focusing on enhancing the safety and fitness of senior citizens through new technologies.

“As our long-term relationship continues, the University of �鶹��ý will be taking further steps toward building and sustaining our partnership,” said Lassner.

Strengthening ties

During his commencement address, Lassner shared a new initiative to explore the development of a “micro-campus” at Meikai University that will enable respective students to earn credits and degrees while studying at their home campuses.

“This has been successful at other universities, and I have every expectation that with our strong partnership, Meikai and UH can make this work for our students as well,” Lassner said.

To further the exchange support between the institutions, later this year, students from Asahi and Meikai will participate in various short-term programs at UH, including disciplines such as health sciences, business administration, hospitality and tourism management, English and real estate sciences.

Scholarships provided by a generous donation from the Alice & JP Wang Foundation will help University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� students with the costs of studying abroad in Taiwan as part of the in the (CALL).

The Alice & JP Wang Foundation Student Support Fund for Study in Taiwan will provide monetary assistance to help students with the cost of studying in Taiwan either over a summer or for their final year of the program.

Song Jiang, director of the Chinese Language Flagship Program, said the donation will help to cover students’ travel, tuition and living expenses.

“The ability of our flagship students to continue their studies in Taiwan is crucial as it affords them the opportunity to enhance their language capabilities through living in a Chinese-speaking society, and it provides them with the opportunity to gain a level of cultural competence otherwise not available to them,” Jiang said. “This very generous donation helps us to reach a greater number of students who want to further their studies in Taiwan to reach their academic and career goals.”

As part of the Chinese Language Flagship Program, students must spend eight weeks in a summer intensive Chinese language program, UH ����ԴDz� in Taiwan program, and then study in Taiwan during a mandatory capstone year.

The California-based Alice & JP Wang Foundation was established by JP Wang, founder of the information technology firm Golden Star Technology Inc., and his wife, Alice Wang. Their foundation has also supported more than 50 scholarships in California.

“I am grateful to the (Alice & JP Wang) Foundation for their support of our students’ language immersion training in Taiwan, an essential component of the Chinese Flagship program,” said CALL Dean Peter Arnade. “Their gift will make a tangible difference in our students’ ability to complete the Flagship program and achieve advanced proficiency in Mandarin.”

Founded in 2014, the UH ����ԴDz� Chinese Language Flagship program is one of 13 in the U.S.

The (NASPA) recognized Sarita Rai and the at the with the 2024 Best Practices in International Higher Education Award for their exemplary Student Affairs Professional Global Partnership on January 5.

The NASPA Best Practices in International Education Award acknowledges outstanding contributions to student affairs, emphasizing engagement and collaboration in international education programs and institutions.

As the director of the Study Abroad Center, Rai facilitates the development of student programs and participation, and supports faculty in teaching and research.

“I feel honored and humbled to be recognized for my work, this is a national award and also internationally recognized. All U.S. universities and many institutions of higher education overseas are members of NASPA,” Rai said. “Therefore, the award makes people aware of what we do at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and the excellence of the academy.”

Rai and the Study Abroad Center were nominated by Jayme Scally from West Virginia University. “I learned firsthand how supportive Sarita is in all aspects of the Study Abroad Center programs, from supporting UH students and faculty, to building relationships with partners abroad,” said Scally.

The Study Abroad Center offers students opportunities in Asia, Europe, and Oceania while earning credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

Rai and the Study Abroad Center will receive their award during the International Symposium on March 10, in Seattle.

• Related �鶹��ýNews story: Camel rides, labyrinth city explored in student’s ‘surreal’ study abroad experience, February 3, 2023

The and the (OIST) have agreed to a new partnership that will allow students and faculty to participate in research and educational opportunities between the two institutions.

UH President David Lassner and OIST President and CEO Karin Markides signed a memorandum of understanding on November 19, in Honolulu, that formalized the agreement between UH and the leading Okinawan graduate university.

The collaboration has been lauded by top U.S. government officials.

“As we navigate the complexities of global environmental and energy challenges, collaborations like this epitomize the strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. This partnership symbolizes our shared commitment to tackling global challenges and stands as a shining example of how cross-border cooperation can drive our understanding and solutions in critical fields,” said U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel.

Emanuel has been very supportive of partnerships between U.S. and Japanese educational institutions that address pressing issues of concern to both nations.

UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno visited the OIST campus in January and began facilitating the collaboration. As globally ranked research universities located in island communities, both UH and OIST are committed to conducting research that matters to those communities.

“We are very excited to partner with an institution that has grown into one of the top research universities in the world. I believe that the combination of our varied and shared strengths will provide lasting benefits to our students and faculty,” Bruno said. “We have identified key areas of collaboration that fit well in a natural way, including marine sciences, medicine, renewable energy and sustainability.”

Several of OIST’s faculty and staff have either spent time at UH Mānoa or have existing collaborations with researchers at UH. OIST leaders have shown interest in several fields such as medicine, microbiome research and the ways in which UH Mānoa is fostering entrepreneurship among students and faculty.

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening academic collaboration between our faculty and students, and public-private-university partnership between our complementary local clusters. By combining our strengths and resources with the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa, we aim to advance research, education, innovation and outreach to new heights,” said Markides. “We look forward to the exciting opportunities and breakthroughs that will emerge from this synergistic partnership.”

The University of �鶹��ý—West Oʻahu and Japan Aviation College Hokkaido (JAA) recently signed an agreement that allows Japanese students to seamlessly transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree in �鶹��ý. This is the first in what is hoped to be many international partnerships for the Kapolei campus.

“We look forward to bringing JAA students to our campus to enhance their education with an Indigenous-grounded curriculum in our top-notch business program,” UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “This valuable partnership will provide our own students with the chance to interact with an international community to expand their global knowledge and understanding.”

Students who complete an associate degree at JAA are guaranteed acceptance with sophomore standing to UH West Oʻahu in with a concentration in , or . The JAA students will have to meet international transfer student requirements, including passing an approved English proficiency exam.

The partnership promotes international education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. Starting in 2025, qualifying JAA students will come to UH West Oʻahu for an in-person experience that will expose them to Indigenous culture, place-based learning and a robust academic curriculum within the Business Administration program.

“Japan and �鶹��ý have a deep historical and cultural relationship,” JAA Chancellor Tadahiro Umezawa said. “In international resorts and commercial areas, there are opportunities for Japanese students to learn. This is extremely meaningful, and I hope that it will have a positive impact on the future of students.”

JAA’s International Aviation Business Department aims to train cabin attendants and ground staff who can succeed in the world with international knowledge and culture. Students study languages and Japanese culture to establish the foundation of understanding international cultural differences, learn etiquette and manners through practical manner training classes, and gain a high sense of hospitality.

–By Leila Wai Shimokawa

welcomed the governor of Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, Seitaro Hattori, to the campus in late April. The successes of an exchange partnership between Kapiʻolani CC’s program, and (NGU) to mutually broaden the academic and cultural experiences of students from both institutions piqued the interest of Fukuoka government officials and sparked enthusiasm for the visit.

“We believe that it will be wonderful if this exchange can lead to the development of professionals who can play an active role internationally and to the global dissemination of each other’s culture,” said Hattori. “Both Fukuoka and�鶹��ý share a common connection, and like here and your beautiful ocean, Fukuoka is also blessed with beautiful nature and seas that create the waters surrounding us. We, in Fukuoka, are blessed with abundant nature, agriculture, forestry and fish products from the sea and mountains. We hope that students from the University of�鶹��ý will encounter many programs in Fukuoka.”

The collaboration also opens opportunities to have a profound long-term impact.

“We often learn about ourselves and our home by going abroad,” said Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi. “The transformation that we go through when we are exposed to completely new and foreign experiences has powerful life-long impacts. This is why the governments on both sides are committed to supporting the exchange between NGU and Kapiʻolani CC, and Fukuoka and�鶹��ý. My hope is that by expanding these opportunities, our students will nurture a strong identity and sense of kuleana (responsibiity) as global citizens and representatives of�鶹��ý.”

Spring break in Fukuoka

Kapiʻolani CC culinary art students spent their spring break traveling and learning in Fukuoka. For many, it was their first time traveling internationally. Within a week, students experienced cultural activities, cooking demonstrations, culinary lectures and industry site visits.

“Having the opportunity to visit Fukuoka was an incredible experience,” said Kapiʻolani CC culinary student Sheena Llorico. “It was amazing getting to learn about the production of rice, and making our own mentaiko (salted cod roe). We even partook in classes taught by one of NGU‘s wonderful professors, where we learned about the variety of rice and the process to make one of Fukuoka’s known dishes, Motsunabe. What I’m most grateful for is being able to learn more about Japan’s culture and the friends I’ve made with the group I went up with, as well as the NGU students who were so kind to us.”

Kapiʻolani CC students will return to Fukuoka for another short-term study abroad experience in summer 2023 to gain new perspectives, learn new techniques in Fukuoka regional cuisine, and participate in culturally relevant opportunities that prepare them for their careers.

Dual degree at Kapiʻolani CC

Through the institutional partnership, students from NGU also have had the opportunity to enter a dual-degree program with Kapiʻolani CC since 2016.

Upon graduation, the students from Fukuoka receive a bachelor of arts or science degree from NGU and an associate of science degree from Kapiʻolani CC in culinary arts. The Fukuoka students graduating in spring 2023 experienced everything from voluntary work for the Sony Open�鶹��ý banquet, paid internships with local restaurants, coffee sensory training, food innovation, product development and local farm and food manufacturer visits.

“The valuable experiences and the many people I met at Kapiʻolani CC broadened my horizons,” said Kapiʻolani CC culinary (and NGU) student Akari Takigawa. “In the future, I’d like to work in the food industry to connect Japan and overseas, especially to my hometown, Fukuoka.”

In an opportunity to discover architecture from a new perspective, five students and one faculty from the (NID) in Japan visited the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa as part of an international design exchange program from March 20–25.

The design exchange began with a careful analysis of sites on Oʻahu by UH Mānoa students, who selected Heʻeia State Park, the Lānaʻi Lookout and Diamond Head State Monument as potential sites with cultural significance and layered histories as locations for peace memorials.

• Related UH News story: Student travel to Japan enriches architecture exchange, March 7, 2023

After visiting the sites with NID students, and two intensive days of design workshops, three teams developed design installations that celebrated inner and outer peace, peace as something to maintain and peace as a journey.

“In �鶹��ý, as designers, we are really accustomed to navigating cultural sensitivity in our designs, and it was really interesting to expand upon that in a new place,” said Sophia Collela, a second-year architecture student at UH Mānoa. “In Japan, when we went, we learned about another culture, and specifically about a sensitive event within that culture, and then bringing the students here as well. Now we were not only participating in learning about cultural sensitivity, but teaching it as well, in a place they were also unfamiliar with.”

“It was a good opportunity to understand how big the differences are between people from different countries,” said Shiho Ohkochi, a second-year NID student. “I want to treasure this experience and remember this feeling. It is a reason to exchange, to understand our differences and try to understand each other.”

NID students were able to experience a typical week at UH Mānoa’s campus. They interacted with other students and faculty and learned about the city and island from UH students’ perspective, offering a very different experience than they would have had as tourists.

“The design exchange offers students an opportunity to practice collaborating and cooperating in design teams, acknowledge strengths or weaknesses, and learn from their peers,” said Karla Sierralta, associate professor in the School of Architecture. “Students also gain new knowledge and a sense of responsibility as they present it to their guests, developing a new appreciation for local context and history. Overall, participants are exposed to diverse perspectives and the importance of mutual understanding.”

The Design Exchange Program is supported in part by the �鶹��ý Architectural Foundation.

The are offering study abroad opportunities for current UH community college students.

Programs include a nine-day study tour in Japan to a three-year program at a Japanese senshu-gakko (professional training school). Many of these programs may be partially funded through scholarships.

Interested students must submit a by March 13, 2023.

“The value of studying abroad can be life-changing,” said Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Della Teraoka. “In addition to making new friends and lasting memories, studying abroad will help students to gain foreign language skills and cross-cultural competence. They also learn initiative and adaptability, which can give them career advantages.”

Current international programs and scholarship opportunities include:

• Hakuoh University International Study Tour, June 5–13, 2023. Spend nine days in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
• Honda Study Abroad Scholarship, Students can receive a scholarship to study anywhere in the world through study abroad programs from UH, or other public or private organizations. This scholarship provides funding support to study overseas while incorporating an international educational experience into their academic program of study.
• Student Exchange Program, Choose to study for one semester or one year at a University in Japan, Taiwan or Canada. Program dates will vary depending on location.
• Monbukagakusho Scholarship, April 2024–March 2027. Study three years at a selected specialized training school in Japan.

For more information and to apply for these opportunities, visit: .

Director of Resource Development Brandon Marc Higa has been selected to participate as a fellow in the (UCI). The White House initiative will bring together 50 leaders from diverse colleges and universities in the United States and eight ASEAN member countries for a series of virtual and in-person training designed to foster sustainable international academic partnerships and the two-way exchange of students, scholars and researchers between U.S. and Southeast Asian higher education institutions.

“The UCI fellowship is a timely opportunity to align Kapiʻolani’s international partnerships in the ASEAN region with capacity building funding opportunities to prepare the next generation of global leaders,” Higa said. “World Learning is providing an extraordinary opportunity to directly contribute to through people-to-people diplomacy supporting key priorities for the University of �鶹��ý in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The U.S.–ASEAN University Connections Initiative is administered through the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, which builds U.S. colleges and universities’ capacity to engage in global partnerships and study abroad programming aligned with U.S. foreign policy goals.

“Brandon Marc’s participation in the UCI Fellowship raises the profile of the University of �鶹��ý as a destination for study abroad partnerships with higher education institutions based in the ASEAN region,” said Kelli Nakamura, associate professor of history and principal investigator of the IDEAS Grant. “Kapiʻolani CC students and faculty have already benefited from Brandon Marc’s network at the State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as they consider applying for nationally competitive study abroad scholarships. He has been critical in providing institutional and student support to promote study-abroad initiatives and is an invaluable colleague who is passionate about supporting international education.”

The fellowship was limited to grantees from the State Department’s 2022 IDEAS Grant program, which was awarded in the fall to Higa’s project, Militourism and Indigenous Identities in �鶹��ý and Okinawa, that promotes study abroad and U.S. foreign policy interests through a week-long summer institute as part of a redesigned Ethnic Studies 101 course.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest in a series of multiple social crises that have impacted the global flow of people, things, institutions, and ideas in the opening decades of the 21st century. Many view pandemic lockdowns and social distancing as forms of “deglobalization” measured by the reduction of the objective movements of goods and people. A few discerning academic observers, however, instead think of it as “reglobalization” spearheaded by growing forms of digital interconnectivity.

These conflicting perspectives on globalization and global social change were shared by Professor Manfred Steger from the in University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s . His November 15 talk, “Globalization after COVID-19,” was the featured lecture of the ����ԴDz� International Education Week.

Crises create “The Great Unsettling”

Steger said that other major crises in the early 21st century include anti-trade protests from 1999–2001, post-9/11 global terrorism, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis followed by the Eurozone Crisis, the rise of nationalist-populism in the 2010s (Brexit, Trumpism, etc), the current global supply chain disruptions and inflation caused by COVID-19, and, most recently, the Russia-Ukraine War. During these tumultuous times people experience instability, insecurity, anxiety and polarization. Therefore, Steger characterized our current era of rapid social change as the “Great Unsettling.”

The main qualities of globalization are interconnectivity, mobility and imagination. Steger pointed out that, despite the Great Unsettling, some forms of globalization—especially digitization—have continued at a rapid pace. In fact, according to Steger, even before the coronavirus pandemic, digital information and data flows have increased much more than the movement of people, institutions and tradable commodities.

COVID-19 became the “Great Accelerator” of this worldwide wave of digitization. For example, pandemic lockdowns reduced forms of connectivity in physical space, but enhanced mobility in cyberspace.

As we begin to transition into a world no longer dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Steger noted, we need a “globalization reset”—a rebalancing act aimed at reducing our online time and reconnecting physically.

“I am not suggesting we should smash our smartphones,” Steger clarified with a smile, “but spending an U.S. average of seven hours a day on electronic devices of all kinds is simply too much. We need to reacquaint ourselves with the human warmth of our tangible social worlds rather than capitulating to the endless prompts of social media—especially now that the pandemic is slowly subsiding.”

To view the entire lecture, .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has been awarded seven Title VI International Education grants totaling $7 million over a four-year grant cycle from the U.S. Department of Education, keeping the campus among an elite group of U.S. universities with a dominant presence in international studies, especially in the Asia and Pacific regions.

UH Mānoa programs awarded funds

• National Resource Center for East Asia
• National Resource Center for the Pacific Islands
• National Resource Center for Southeast Asia
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for East Asia
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for the Pacific Islands
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for Southeast Asia
• National Foreign Language Resource Center

“UH Mānoa is at the forefront of education in the Asia-Pacific region,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno. “These competitive grants recognize our unparalleled strengths in instruction, research and training in these critical areas. As a minority-serving institution, we draw diverse students into higher education, build their skills through our fine faculty and academic partnerships, and send our alumni into professional careers that connect �鶹��ý and the U.S. to the Pacific and Asia.”

The (NRC) and (FLAS) grants are housed in the (SPAS) in the (CALL) at Mānoa. SPAS is considered a leader in Pacific Islands studies and Asian studies nationally and internationally. UH Mānoa is the only university in the country to be awarded NRC-Pacific Islands and FLAS-Pacific Islands grants.

The NRC grants will support modern language instruction, teacher training, curriculum development, outreach and library collections. FLAS programs fund fellowships for UH Mānoa undergraduate and graduate students who are studying modern foreign languages and area studies.

The (NFLRC) grant was first awarded to UH Mānoa when the NFLRC program was established in 1990 and has been continuously earned since then, making UH Mānoa the oldest language resource center in the nation.

“Faculty and staff at UH Mānoa collaborated across campus and with other campuses to develop innovative projects, e.g. Asia-Pacific Studies Career Readiness Program, the Kapiʻolani Community College Certificate of Community Interpreting, and NFLRC Japanese and Filipino Culture Apps,” said CALL Dean Peter Arnade. “Winning these prestigious grants not only demonstrates our national leadership in these fields but also provides critical support to the university to carry out its mission to serve the people of �鶹��ý, and its neighbors in the Pacific and Asia.”

A full array of events at the celebrated International Education Week (IEW). Through November 19, the UH Hilo has arranged activities online and on campus that showcase food, history, music and scenery from various cultures. The activities are designed to share international education with the entire Vulcan community.

“IEW aims to share the essence of cultural exploration and excitement with students in the U.S. who may not have had much international exposure,” said Mika Odaira, a junior at UH Hilo Study Abroad Program advisory.

International food spotlight

UH Hilo’s main dining room has been featuring unique dishes from around the world for the week-long event. Sodexo food services is offering specials from countries such as Cuba, Thailand, France and Spain.

“We know that we may not be able to 100% match the taste [international students] are used to, but it is our hope that we can at least make them feel a little more settled here in Hilo,” said Reid Kusano, catering and retail manager at UH Hilo.

Photo submissions

Students also have an opportunity to . Submissions depict photos from student experiences studying abroad, vacationing or other travel experiences. Organizers encouraged participants to share how they saw and experienced cultures from around the world.

International trivia night

Trivia Night activities also share the rich history of the many cultures explored by study abroad. The event aimed to show appreciation for other cultures as well as educate students through history, interesting facts and unique characteristics.

Music around the globe

A collection of music from cultures such as Japan, Korea and Spain are available for this week’s online events. .

This year’s IEW events were planned by Odaira and her fellow study abroad advisors Jessie Ladouceur and Teagan Maher, alongside Global Education Director Carolina Lam and Global Exchange Director Todd Shumway.

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—By Elena Espinoza

International students in the University of �鶹��ý 10-campus system contributed more than $82.2 million in direct spending to the state’s economy in 2019, that led to a total economic output of more than $173 million for �鶹��ý. Those findings were in (PDF) released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

UH international students are responsible for about 45% of the $381.2 million dollars in direct and indirect spending by international students in �鶹��ý in 2019.

“International students have positively contributed to �鶹��ý and our economy for many years,” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “They have helped to expand our marketing and promotion efforts to reinforce the message that �鶹��ý is a place where the world comes to learn.”

The economic impact of international students goes well beyond paying for tuition and fees, according to the DBEDT report:

• $381.2 million in economic output generated, including direct, indirect and induced effects;
• $29.2 million in state taxes generated;
• $168.4 million in household income generated; and
• 3,756 jobs supported by international student spending.

“While the COVID pandemic has added a pause to travel to �鶹��ý, we are confident that international students will continue to seek educational opportunities in the state in the near future,” said Dennis Ling, administrator of the �鶹��ý Business Development and Support Division.

�鶹��ý’s educational institutions hosted a diverse group of students from all over the globe. Japan remained the top country of origin for �鶹��ý’s international students, comprising 31.6% of the total. Japan was followed by South Korea with 14.4%, Switzerland with 9.0%, China with 4.7% (including Hong Kong and Macao), and Germany with 2.9%.

For more, .