A sophomore has returned from Antarctica after serving as the only participant from �鶹��ý and the United States on a global expedition focused on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

“It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.” — Eric Gee

Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, an and major in the , with a minor in in the , was one of two Villars Institute Fellows selected for the , a two-week mission that took place in December 2025. The expedition brought young leaders, educators and scientists to Union Glacier Camp, a research and logistics hub deep within Antarctica.

“Antarctica serves as a symbol of hope,” Gee said. “That’s the way I’ve started to see it because in Antarctica, no one has any claim over any territory there. Everyone on Earth owns it. It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.”

Led by polar explorer Robert Swan, the expedition centered on strengthening global awareness of Antarctica’s importance to Earth’s climate system. According to the Villars Institute, the continent holds roughly 70% of the world’s freshwater in its ice sheets and plays a critical role in regulating global temperatures, ocean circulation and sea levels.

For Gee, one of the most striking observations came from the temperatures. The team prepared for conditions near -10°F. Instead, temperatures climbed to around 30°F on some days, underscoring the effects of a changing climate. Gee also noted that a thinning ozone layer over Antarctica resulted in higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, requiring additional precautions by the team, as well as adapting to 24 hours of straight sunlight during this time of year.

“You have to wear a specific amount of layers,” Gee said. “If you wear too many layers, you overheat and when you overheat you start to sweat. The moment you sweat, you’re not in a good spot because that sweat will very quickly drop your body temperature and I witnessed that the hard way on some of our excursions.”

Antarctica research, education

Throughout the mission, Gee—a Waikōloa native and graduate of Kealakehe High School—and the international team connected live with classrooms around the world, marking the first real-time educational broadcast from Antarctica. Participants collaborated on scientific activities, including environmental DNA sampling, and tested renewable energy and storage systems designed to function in extreme polar conditions. The work highlighted that research in Antarctica can be powered by renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.

Gee’s inspiration

“I’ve always been passionate about learning how things within our world react and how renewable energy and environmental sustainability play a factor into our day-to-day lives,” Gee said. “My inspiration for that came from being on �鶹��ý Island, and just seeing [how] the valleys of Waimea and Kawaihae used to be green when I was growing up, and serious drought turned them dark brown.”

A key focus of the expedition was the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the continent as a natural reserve devoted to scientific research, peace, and prohibits mining and commercial exploitation. Its environmental protections are at risk beginning in 2041, when the treaty is up for review, making international conversations and public awareness about preserving one of Earth’s last untouched areas all the more urgent.

Sharing your story

Gee launched @theantarcticdiary on Instagram and encourages young people to get involved.

After returning to �鶹��ý, Gee will begin sharing lessons from the expedition through school visits, community presentations and public outreach, extending UH Mānoa’s role in global climate education, youth leadership and environmental stewardship. He recently founded a platform called “The Antarctic Diary,” to share his reflections from Antarctica, and to encourage other young people to share their story and establish mutual connections from around the globe.

“I feel like as a young person and as young people, it is sometimes hard to feel like you really have an impact and that your voice can really hold meaning. It can feel like you’re listened to but not heard, and I feel like that’s what I experienced my entire life,” Gee said. “That’s why I’m proud to announce the launch of my program called The Antarctic Diary.”

UH impact

Gee, who studied abroad in Florence, Italy for his freshman spring semester through the UH Mānoa Study Abroad Center, called UH “an extraordinary university.”

“We have many incredible programs and educators who care deeply about their students and our state. I’m thankful for my classes, and the professors and our administration have worked with me to help me make the most of my opportunities, both in and outside of UH,” Gee said. “The access to different study abroad programs is something I encourage every single student to utilize and take advantage of. I have a lot of interests and commitments, and it means a lot to have the support of the university as I pursue them.”

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.

The (UROP) at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is offering its first-ever funding opportunity specifically for undergraduate students to perform research or creative work projects abroad.

UH ����ԴDz� was selected as one of 12 institutions nationwide to apply and receive up to $20,000 in private funding to support international research from the Tyler Center for Global Studies. According to the center, the awarded institutions “have articulated the significance of inquiry, cross-cultural engagement and experiential learning in undergraduate research.”

“While UROP has always provided financial support for students to conduct research abroad, we anticipate that this new funding opportunity specifically geared for international experiences will inspire even more students to pursue their scholarship goals around the world,” UROP Director Creighton Litton said. “The Tyler Fellowship is much more than an academic opportunity—it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact on the global stage, and then bring that newly acquired knowledge back home to �鶹��ý.”

While the deadline to apply for summer 2025 has passed, Litton hopes UROP will continue to offer this fellowship in the years to come.

Angel Sanchez, a UH ����ԴDz� student majoring in , conducted research in Venice, Italy in summer 2024 and was supported through funding from UROP. Her project was about comparing European and international cinema at the Venice International Film Festival. Sanchez encourages UH ����ԴDz� students to take advantage of this new funding opportunity.

“Curiosity and understanding of international culture allows for future collaboration, meeting different people, learning from each other, creating something new and sharing things you create to a wider audience,” Sanchez said. “Overall, international research gives you an opportunity to expand your worldview knowledge and reflect about your own lifestyle and culture as you try to apply what you learned to yourself and from there, create something new.”

This new funding opportunity is possible via a collaboration among UROP, UH Foundation and the Study Abroad Center that provides a funding mechanism and student/mentor international travel training.

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $125,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer via the .

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Five students are embracing global opportunities this academic year, in Japan, England, and Korea.

Supported by various scholarships, each student is expanding their worldviews all while continuing to pay UH Hilo tuition.

The UH Hilo emphasizes the benefits of study abroad, highlighting how it helps students build intercultural communication skills, gain second-language proficiency, and develop a global perspective—all crucial for today’s workforce.

Kyson Kaneko, a major, is attending Tokyo Gakugei University in Japan as a recipient of the .

“Studying abroad has made me realize that adventure is the best way to learn, both about a new culture and myself,” said Kaneko.

Across the globe, Leiya Margareth Torrano, another business administration major, is studying at the University of Birmingham in England this semester.

Torrano received the and the .

“I’ve learned how deeply culture shapes identity and how it connects to health,” Torrano explained. “When I return to �鶹��ý, I hope to inspire young healthcare students to explore different cultures and consider studying abroad.”

Year-long study abroad

Three students have received the to support year-long study abroad experiences. Dominic Hilman, a major, is attending Hokkaido University in Japan, and Brooklyn Geiger, a major, is studying at Nanzan University.

Whitney Taylor, an English major, is attending Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea. She also spent the summer at Korea University.

“Studying in South Korea has given me many new friends and memories that I will always cherish,” Taylor said. “Don’t let fear stop you from exploring someplace new.”

—Susan Enright and Carolina Lam

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

Immediately following the deadly Maui wildfires in August, student and Maui native Dave Ramos diverted from his plans to study abroad in Japan this semester and headed home to help his community.

“Dave, at that time, was actually going through his visa process to get to Japan, dealing with the Japanese consulate in Honolulu,” said Aya Hara-Joesting, interim manager for Leeward CC’s . “I can’t even imagine what that was like, going through that while seeing what was happening on Maui.”

Ramos felt compelled to assist in the aftermath and volunteered at the Baldwin High School gym shelter.

“It was heartbreaking to see all of the displaced families,” he said. “It was eye opening and hits a little bit close to home knowing that this kind of tragedy happened to Maui, of all places.”

Hospitality industry perspective

A native of Wailuku, Ramos’ experience as a catering and conference services intern and restaurant busser at the Grand Wailea Maui sparked his interest in the hospitality industry. After earning an associate’s degree in from , he decided he wanted a career in mid-level management at a luxury hotel. Leeward CC’s one-year international study/abroad program was the best next step for him. It would send him to Leeward CC’s partner, the in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

“I lived in Okinawa from 2017 to 2019 while I was in the military. I always wanted to return and experience living abroad as a civilian.” Ramos said. “I also had a personal interest in learning Japanese, because, in �鶹��ý, Okinawan and Japanese culture is intertwined with �鶹��ý’s cultural identity. I want to relate to Japanese and Okinawan visitors on a personal basis by getting to know their culture and speaking to them in their own native tongue.”

The aftereffects of the fires also reinforced Ramos’ ultimate career goal.

“Tourism in �鶹��ý is essential to its economy,” he said. “Most of my friends’ and family’s jobs were reduced or cut because of the lack of tourists (after the fires). The Maui fires made international news and have made people want to visit Maui in order to support the local economy. The following years are essential in order to keep Maui’s economy thriving.”

Future hospitality leader

Ramos is currently thriving in Japan—learning the language and immersing himself in the culture.

“All the education I’m getting and experiences I’ve been having will benefit me in the future,” he said. “The most impactful thing I’ve experienced so far is becoming friends with both local Japanese and international students. All come from different countries and vary in age, ethnicity, and education. This has inspired me to continue my education, as most of my international classmates have either completed their master’s program or started their PhDs at such a young age. Everyone at the university has a personal and educational goal, yet we are all connected with experiencing Okinawan culture as well as learning Japanese.”

After completing his study abroad program with Leeward CC and earning his bachelor’s degree from UH West Oʻahu, Ramos intends to embark on a management career at one of Oʻahu’s many luxury hotels. Wherever he lands, Ramos is equipped with a great education, Maui’s resilience and sense of responsibility to the community.

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—By Bonnie Friedman

Eight students from the recently wrapped up travels to Thailand and Indonesia for a six-week field school program that explored the dynamic socioeconomic and environmental shifts in rural Southeast Asian societies.

The Collaborative Southeast Asia field school, funded by the Henry Luce Foundation’s five-year grant, aims to foster a new generation of scholars working in the region and to engage them with local partner institutions. A mix of undergraduate and graduate students from UH ����ԴDz� collaborated with their counterparts from Southeast Asian universities, such as Khon Kaen University (KKU) in Thailand and Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) in Indonesia, for a two-week cross-cultural fieldwork experience in rural Southeast Asia. This unique opportunity allowed students to work in diverse teams and exchange approaches to field-based and experiential learning.

“The reason why we feel strongly about field-based learning, you don’t just learn about the place cognitively, but also affectively. You can smell the place, you can empathize with people working in agriculture, and you can hear the voices of the community members that are subject to agrarian change,“ said Krisna Suryanata, field school director and faculty member in UH ����ԴDz� during a public presentation on the field school. “Building this empathy can really change the preconception that students without field-based learning might have.”

Culture deep-dive

One component of the program is cultural and language immersion. Prior to fieldwork, the UH ����ԴDz� students spent their first three weeks taking Thai and Indonesian language classes at the Chiang Mai University Language Institute in Thailand and Wisma Bahasa in Indonesia that rudimentarily prepared them for interviews and understanding of the local culture.

Fieldwork activities:

• Documenting Landscape Changes: Students used Geographic Information System (GIS) tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps to document landscape changes.
• Qualitative Research: Qualitative research methods employed to collect information on the challenges and opportunities faced by smallholders engaged in commodity production and agriculture.
• Technological Innovations: Background information collected on technological innovations and non-traditional commodities (cassava, vegetables, poultry, cashew nuts, shallots, tree resin) reshaping agrarian transitions.

Presenting research

Following the field research exercise, all student research teams and mentors convened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to present their findings at an international workshop. These findings complemented the ongoing research conducted by KKU and UNHAS researchers. The workshop delved into insights gained from interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration and addressed critical questions on opportunities and challenges of international collaborative research.

The Collaborative Southeast Asia field school is organized by the UH ����ԴDz� , , and , in partnership with Khon Kaen University and Universitas Hasanuddin.

Taylor “Uʻi” Barongan, a major at the , who received a highly competitive U.S. Department of State scholarship in 2021 to fund studies at a Scottish university that year, is publishing a book this month of her original poems and watercolors documenting the environment of Scotland. is independently published and will be available on Amazon, June 30.

Barongan, a senior at UH Hilo, attended the in fall 2021, where she studied ecology, cellular biology and film analysis. Barongan was unable to attend classes in person in Scotland because of COVID-19 restrictions for students. But she traveled to Scotland anyway, as a tourist, experiencing the culture, hiking, exploring and enjoying the outdoors.

Barongan said she’s more of an artist than a scientist, and she recorded her extracurricular explorations through painting watercolors of the landscapes, animals and plants she saw in Scotland’s environment. As part of the service project for her U.S. Department of State , she spent the last two years creating the book.

“It also features some history and information about places and species,” Barongan said, adding that the book is essentially a little guide but also her “love letter” to those places.

Barongan, currently editor-in-chief at the UH Hilo’s art and literary magazine and a peer mentor at the university’s mentoring program , is very active in undergraduate scientific research along with a wide variety of arts including photography, music, writing and painting.

For the full story check out .

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: .

Nine students, accompanied by three faculty members, journeyed to Ireland last summer as part the first study-abroad cooperation between the —a one-year bridge program that builds a supportive community for underrepresented students throughout their first year at Kapiʻolani CC—and the Paul S. Honda International Center (HIC).

For 10 days, the Kapiʻolani CC students learned about the history, culture, food and unique connections between �鶹��ý and Ireland. The fixed, low cost of the trip opened the door for underserved students, some of whom had never left Oʻahu, to gain an invaluable experience halfway around the world.

“I’ve just been really immersed in some of the lessons that have been taught to us,” said student Niccalis Cruz.

Consisting of students from three cohorts of the Lunalilo Scholars (2019, 2020 and 2021), the group journeyed from Honolulu to Dublin to Donegal County in the northwestern corner of Ireland. There, they packed in days of learning and exploring, starting each morning with formal lectures by Niamh Hamill, director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland, before journeying out to a site visit.

“(I’m) So lucky to be here and to experience the excitement and the learning and the awe that the students are experiencing,” said LaVache Scanlan, director of the Lunalilo Scholars Program. “The smiles on their faces, the ‘aha’ moments, and all of that is just really cool to experience.”

Ireland, �鶹��ý connections

Each day was focused on a unique topic; one lecture was given on Irish civil rights, social justice and conflict resolution before an afternoon guided visit to Derry City in Northern Ireland and a walk within the old historic walls dating back to the early 17th century. Another day focused on women’s rights, and another on sustainability and discussions on Irish welfare and healthcare systems all while tying them back to social, political, environmental and economic issues that Lunalilo Scholars have witnessed and experienced in �鶹��ý. Students also got their toes wet with surf lessons in the chilly North Atlantic Ocean.

“They’re all at different stages of development, and this experience will help them learn about themselves and also the world and how they can maybe contribute as citizens to the world,” Scanlan said.

The lectures pointed out the parallels between Ireland and �鶹��ý, from the treatment of Indigenous people there and Native Hawaiians here and the impacts of colonization.

“I thought it was interesting to learn about the similarities within the colonization of �鶹��ý and how closely it’s connected to the colonization of the Irish people and also many other Indigenous peoples around the world,” said student Kaulanakealoha Aipa-Dolan. “So (I’m) just really grateful to expand on that topic and get to know more about what other people go through.”

Lunalilo, Queen Kapiʻolani scholarships combine

The was privately funded through the scholarships at Kapiʻolani CC. Lester and Marian Kaneta, founding donors of the , generously supported the travel opportunity to help expand the horizons of the students’ perspectives. The second source of funding came from the , established by a donation from Chancellor Louise Pagotto in 2019. She envisioned for students’ educational journeys to go beyond the books. This unique partnership across scholarships enabled the college to “flat-rate” the trip and cover the majority of the cost (program cost, airfare, hotels, meals) for awardees, with students only needing to pay $100 toward the cost of the program, $25 for mandatory health insurance and $130 for trip insurance.

“This is the first time a UH study abroad program has been ‘flat-rated,’ and it is our intention to continue to partner with our community and donors to make programs such as this a reality for underserved and underrepresented students at Kapiʻolani CC,” said Shawn Yacavone, an international educational specialist with HIC.

Lunalilo Scholars and HIC are planning a study-abroad trip to Ireland in summer 2023.

Scanlan said, “We’re hoping that this can inspire us to do something like this again and give other students the opportunity to experience another country, another culture, just to have a life-changing moment for them.”

—By Kim Baxter

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s Paul Porter, an undergraduate student double majoring in the and .

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Porter shared, “I went on a study abroad summer program with the UH ����ԴDz� Chinese Language Flagship program along with 13 other ����ԴDz� students from June 13–August 5. Our partner university in Taiwan is National Tsing Hua University. On Saturday July 9 we were invited by the Sanxia Farmer’s Association and Yan Lu Tea Trading to the Lee Tea Plantation in Sanxia district of Taiwan. It was one of many cultural immersion experiences in the program. We picked tea leaves then went to the tea leaf processing factory to learn about the different processes for making green, black and other types of tea.”

Send us your image!

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from Windward Community College Lecturer Taurie Kinoshita and features students at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.

Kinoshita shared, “Windward CC‘s UK Footholds Shakespeare Experience Study Abroad program takes students to England every July, for two weeks. Students spend one week at E15 in London (the top rated acting conservatoire in the UK) training all day with master teachers and watching some of the best plays in the evenings (at the National Theatre, The Globe, The Barbican etc). The students spend their second week in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and hometown of William Shakespeare. In Stratford-upon-Avon, students work with actors, voice teachers (such as Sir Ian McKellan’s vocal coach) and directors from the RSC (one of the most renowned and respected theatre companies in the English-speaking world), and also with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (whose scholars include knights and dames.)

The Windward CC UK Footholds Shakespeare Experience Study Abroad program is open to all UH System students by taking Theatre 225 in the spring (a preparation course.) Most of the expenses are paid for by grants and donations. (It’s important for us that we keep the costs minimal so this program is accessible to anyone!)”

• Previous UH News Images of the Week

Want to get in on the action? The next UH News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other UH connection. By submitting your image, you are giving UH News permission to publish your photo on the UH News website and UH social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

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has been selected as one of to receive a federal grant from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The project, Militourism and Indigenous Identities in �鶹��ý and Okinawa, is funded by a two-year $33,000 grant through the State Department’s program, and will promote study abroad and U.S. foreign policy interests through a week-long summer institute as part of a redesigned Ethnic Studies 101 course.

“I am excited that through this program, our students will have the opportunity to learn more about the similar historical and contemporary issues in Okinawa and �鶹��ý,” said Chancellor Louise Pagotto. “It affirms our commitment to international education through both the exploration of short-term and virtual cohort-based summer exchanges and the collaboration with our partner institutions in Okinawa.”

This institute incorporates themes of environmental sustainability and economic development anchored in �鶹��ý and Okinawa’s shared experiences as island-states with Indigenous peoples living in host communities of U.S. military bases established during World War II. As the military and tourism industry became cornerstones of �鶹��ý and Okinawa’s economies, both depended on promoting the islands’ military and local culture and minimizing conflicts between these two groups.

“This course will provide students with a holistic understanding of global and local issues across the Pacific by examining the impact of militarism and tourism on the people of both �鶹��ý and Okinawa,” said Kelli Nakamura, project director and associate professor of history. “I am excited by the opportunities our students will have to learn from subject matter experts in Okinawa and �鶹��ý. I hope this institute will encourage students to participate in study abroad opportunities to learn more about these critical connections.”

This institute explores American and Japanese imperialism and militarism in the Pacific as a reflection of America’s Cold War public diplomacy within a liberal multicultural discourse. Okinawa and �鶹��ý would be sites of America’s soft diplomacy efforts that witnessed the commercialization of Indigenous peoples and cultures within tourism that disguised conflicts over land, resources and Indigenous rights.

“Through a national pilot program conducted by the , Kapiʻolani CC conducted a campus-wide baseline survey in fall 2021 to better understand student mobility in study abroad and global internships and is responding to student demands for culturally relevant opportunities appealing to students at an Indigenous-serving institution,” said Brandon Marc Higa, study abroad advisor and director of resource development. “Kapiʻolani CC will increase the number of minority students participating in study abroad through culturally relevant exchanges that are meaningful to their self-exploration and spark a curiosity in global careers.”

Students will attend in-person classes to learn about similarities between Okinawan and �鶹��ý’s histories as once independent kingdoms whose geopolitical importance eventually led to their role as key hosts of U.S. military bases. The students will then participate in synchronous online sessions by scholars, authors and community activists to learn about Okinawan’s complicated history with Japan and the U.S. military.

The focus will be on gender issues and Indigenous rights in the context of economic, political and social globalization trends within the Asia-Pacific region. Participation in this institute will also foster awareness of the benefits of studying abroad for underrepresented populations in higher education, in support of the State Department and U.S. Department of Education’s (PDF).

Since 2016, the IDEAS Program has awarded 145 grants to 139 institutions in 48 states and territories to create, expand and diversify their U.S. study abroad programs in 71 countries across all world regions.

—By Brandon Marc Higa and Kelli Y. Nakamura

students can get the feel of a study-abroad experience through collaborative online international learning, or COIL, which brings together international classes via online technology to allow students to learn and work with one another.

Professor of Business Management Keith Sakuda has been teaching COIL courses for UH West Oʻahu students through a partnership with Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) in Japan. In collaboration with Stephen Zurcher, KGU professor of management and dean of the Asian studies program, the COIL project has been exploring new models of international education since spring 2020.

“COIL at UH West Oʻahu is about accessibility,” Sakuda said. “For students who are unable to leave �鶹��ý, it is the only option to experience some of the academic and personal benefits of study abroad.”

Andrew Morrison took Sakuda’s MGT 341: Behavior in Organizations COIL class in fall 2021.

“I was not sure what to expect when I initially started the class, but it ended up being one of my favorite classes that I have taken at UH West Oʻahu,” Morrison said. “Working with Japanese students, specifically having the chance to read their papers, was one of the most interesting parts because you see how another culture writes and tackles different issues in business.”

Another student, Jamie White, said she liked being able to study with students from Japan.

“It was refreshing to learn about their culture first hand along with their professor (Zurcher), who gave great insights,” White said. “… I personally would like to see this class in every college major for better relationships with Japanese students, culture and future business relations.”

According to the American Council on Education, COIL is a research-based method of virtual exchange involving faculty in two or more countries collaborating to develop a joint syllabus for students to then work together online to complete assignments that meet shared learning objectives.

Sakuda said, “Traditional barriers to study abroad—such as location (neighbor islands), attendance status (part-time), employment status (working professional), first generation college student status, limited financial resources, and family obligations (single parent or family caretaker)—can be overcome using flexible, cost-effective and scalable solutions offered by COIL.”

He said a recent MGT 370: Global External Environment COIL course, in which he merged his class with KGU’s class for the entire semester, is believed to have been the only fully-integrated COIL this past spring in the UH system, and possibly the only U.S.-Japan fully-integrated COIL in the country.

In MGT 370, UH West Oʻahu and KGU students met once a week via Zoom, and had video presentations, assignments and several group projects. In April, the class also featured guest speaker Robert Noddin, recently retired president and CEO of AIG Japan Holdings, who talked about understanding political risk management and developing an international career in business—a learning opportunity for both �鶹��ý- and Japan-based students.

UH West ��ʻ�����’s partnership with KGU will continue into fall 2022, when Sakuda will again teach MGT 341: Behavior in Organizations, a fully-integrated COIL course.

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� was chosen as one of the 20-year Top Producing Institutions. The selection was made by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Gilman Program provides scholarships with the goal to make study abroad more accessible and inclusive for undergraduate students at U.S. colleges and universities.

The letter notifying UH ����ԴDz� of the selection congratulated the campus on the achievement as “a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to ensuring that America’s next generation of leaders—students of all backgrounds—engage internationally to foster mutual understanding and develop critical skills in support of our national security and economic prosperity.”

UH ����ԴDz� has a variety of opportunities for international study through the UH ����ԴDz� and the , as well as through individual departments and programs. Gilman scholars from UH ����ԴDz� study a wide variety of subjects around the world.

The letter continued, “University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s place among the institutions producing the most Gilman Scholars over the past 20 years clearly demonstrates your dedication to preparing Americans for today’s dynamic global economy and interconnected world.”

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students from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� started the summer in and in late May.

The 16 students taking classes at Lorenzo de’ Medici, UH ����ԴDz�’s host partner university in Florence, represent architecture, art, business and social science majors. The 15 Seville students, English, biology, creative media, marine biology, microbiology, nursing, social sciences and travel industry management majors, are taking Spanish language classes at the International College of Seville to fulfill their second language requirements.

The students boarded a COVID-19-Free Flight from the U.S. and took a PCR test upon arrival to confirm a negative result.

UH ����ԴDz� Resident Faculty Director Phoebe White reported that the students in Florence were, “Doing great! A little tired after their first day in class, but very excited and in good spirits. They still can’t believe it’s real.”

UH ����ԴDz� Resident Faculty Director Reece Jones said the Seville students too couldn’t believe that they had finally arrived.

appointments are a unique feature of UH ����ԴDz� study abroad programs that allows faculty to mentor and monitor students abroad while conducting their own research and scholarship.

In mid June, students from public health, nursing and organic chemistry travelled to , followed by students who will study in , and , France in July.

Learn more about the summer, semester and year-long programs at the website.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� brought a little bit of Ireland to its office as one of the winners of the Education in Ireland Go Green campaign. The center won a full scholarship for one student to study at its partner institution in Ireland.

challenged universities around the world to “go green” to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to bring some fun positivity to students. The UH ����ԴDz� Study Abroad Center staff turned its entire website and social media accounts green, sent videos of green �鶹��ý, dressed in green for Zoom meetings and played trivia games with green backgrounds for almost a month.

“Although we were working remotely due to COVID, this was a fantastic opportunity for our UH ����ԴDz� Study Abroad team to engage with Ireland and the rest of the world in the Global Greening project,” said Study Abroad Center Director Sarita Rai.

“The greening of so many campuses is a testament to the strong friendships between Irish and American higher education institutions, and a sign that even a pandemic cannot erase the bonds that exist between them,” wrote Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall in the congratulatory letter.

The Study Abroad Center offers in multiple STEM disciplines. The scholarship will fully fund a UH ����ԴDz� student in 2022.