University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu student Bayli Shimokihara — who studied Japanese in high school and previously traveled to Fukuoka, Japan — said she has always wanted to study abroad in Japan. So when she learned she could do so through a UH West O‘ahu program, she applied for the opportunity.
Shimokihara, 20, of Mililani, was one of 12 UH West O‘ahu students who participated in a summer study abroad program June 10-15 at partner institution Kyushu Sangyo University (KSU) in Fukuoka. The program was offered by the Office of Global Engagement at UH West O‘ahu.
“The highlight of this program for me was getting to interact with the Kyushu Sangyo University students,” said Shimokihara, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Political Science. “It was really nice to see how even though there was a language barrier at times, we could still communicate and understand each other.”
During their one-week stay, students in the program participated in Japanese language and culture classes at KSU while staying at a dormitory across campus. The students also went on field trips and tours.
“I believe that studying abroad is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that any UH West Oʻahu student should do during their college career,” said Gian Otoman, International Programs Coordinator with the Office of Global Engagement. “Studying abroad can give you the opportunity to experience new cultures, learn new languages, and create life-long partnerships with people from around the world.”
Strengthening relationships between schools
UH West O‘ahu student Kaitlin Lee, 37, of Honolulu, also took part in the program. Like Shimokihara, Lee liked spending time with the participating students from Hawai‘i and Japan. She also enjoyed a group excursion to Dazaifu Tenmangu, a Shinto shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka.
“I loved exploring Dazaifu,” said Lee, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with concentrations in Hospitality and Tourism, and Marketing, as well as a Certificate in Asian Studies. “It was so pretty and it was so much fun learning about the temple itself. It was so unique.”
While this was the first time UH West O‘ahu students had the opportunity to visit KSU, KSU has been sending its students to UH West O‘ahu since 2022. UH West O‘ahu will again welcome KSU students in September.
“These 14 KSU students are coming to UH West O‘ahu on our international short-term program for fall 2024,” Otoman said. “The students will participate in ESL classes and have the opportunity to meet local UH West O‘ahu students in different cultural exchanges and activities set up by the International Social Club, one of our student-run clubs on campus.”
Otoman said a delegation from Kyushu Sangyo University will also accompany the KSU students and is scheduled to renew its Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Exchange with UH West O‘ahu.
Otoman added that the KSU study abroad program would not have been possible without the help of Hawaii Global Education Foundation (HGEF), which assisted the Office of Global Engagement in planning the program.
“This summer program was designed to provide a safe and meaningful exchange opportunity with KSU students and gain mutual understanding,” said HGEF Executive Director Mayumi Miyahara. “I trust this type of program helped strengthen the relationship between the two schools as well as among students.”
Miyahara continued, “Overall, it was an invaluable opportunity for the UH West O‘ahu participants to experience and learn different viewpoints and to communicate with the KSU students.”
‘Definitely a great opportunity’
Otoman said the Office of Global Engagement at UH West O‘ahu hopes to continue to work with the Hawai‘i Global Education Foundation and Kyushu Sangyo University in the future to create more study abroad programs like the one with KSU.
“We are still talking to KSU about how next year’s program will turn out, but based on the success of this past summer program, our office feels optimistic we will be able to send another group of UH West O‘ahu students to KSU next year,” Otoman said.
The KSU study abroad program is just one of others offered by the Office of Global Engagement. Currently, there are also summer programs with Tokai University Sapporo in Japan and Jinju Health College based in Korea, and an upcoming fall program with Eulji University also in Korea.
“I would definitely encourage students to participate in some of the other study abroad opportunities that UH West O‘ahu offers,” Shimokihara said. “I am actually going to be going on the Korea study abroad program this fall, so the Kyushu Sangyo program was a really nice way to get a little taste of the study abroad experience.”
Lee also encourages others to take part in one of the study abroad programs available to UH West O‘ahu students.
“It is definitely a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and experience a new culture,” Lee said.
To learn more about upcoming study abroad programs offered by the Office of Global Engagement at UH West O‘ahu, click here or email uhwointl@hawaii.edu.
