Teaching Inter-cultural Understanding During the First Year - - PDF document

Teaching Inter-cultural Understanding During the First Year University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Presentation for the Conference on The First Year Experience, Waikoloa, Hawai‘i, 2007  E Hō Mai Ka ‘Ike na Edith Kanaka‘ole E hō mai ka ‘ike mai luna mai ē O nā mea huna no’eau o nā mele ē E hō mai, e hō mai, e hō mai ē

Grant us knowledge from above Of the elusive words of wisdom within the chants Grant us, grant us, grant us

 Teaching Inter-cultural Understanding During the First Year University of Hawai‘i at Hilo  Location

• Public University
• Enrollment 3,500 (approx)
• Most ethnically diverse county in U.S.
• Ranked 6th nationwide for campus diversity

 Adjusting to UH Hilo

• Students hail from
• State of Hawai’i
• Continental U.S.
• Abroad
• Variety of programs
• Structured interactions
• Learning host culture
• “Citizens of the world”



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How Do We Know?

• Increase in understanding & communicating with
• Diverse cultures
• Diverse ethnic groups

 Assessment

• National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
• Graduating Student Survey
• Alumni Survey

 NSSE

• Scores above the mean in:
• Encouraging contact
• Understanding people
• Increased intercultural communication
• Diverse perspectives

 Graduating Student Survey

• 2003-2004 students reported most gains in:
• *Knowledge of other cultures
• Self-motivated learning
• *Cultural awareness
• *Inter-cultural skills

 Alumni Survey

• 2005 Alumni reported most gains in undergraduate years in:
• Self-directed learning skills
• *Other points of view
• *Interpersonal skills
• Employment skills
• *Understanding and communicating



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Islands and Beaches

• Video Presentation

 New, Transfer and Returning Student Orientation Myhraliza Aala, Associate Director of Campus Center  PKP: Check It Out, Shop or Drop!

• Exposes students to the importance of community partners
• Opportunity for local students to mingle with those from the

continental U.S. and international students

• Promotes inter-group interaction and learning

 Sodexho Hawaiian Nights Scavenger Hunt

• Information from campus tours is integrated into scavenger hunt
• Local students, students from the continental U.S. and international

countries work together as teams to learn about the campus

• Teams are arranged randomly

 Da Kine Aks An Orientation series of cultural vignettes

• Promotes Hawaiian cultural awareness
• Glimpse for students into life at UH-Hilo
• Addresses issues of local language, food, and cultural etiquette

 Making A Difference & Building Community

• Emphasizes community and cultural awareness
• Collaboration between Orientation and Kīpuka Native Hawaiian

Cultural Center

• Students learn about Hawaiian agriculture and its focus on the land
• Another opportunity introducing students to the various service

activities that UH –Hilo provides

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 Lu‘au Under the Stars  Volcano National Park

• Excursion for students to experience the park through a cultural lens
• Incorporates the history of the volcano with legendary and cultural

Hawaiian stories

• Students participate in and witness a traditional offering and chant

 What Makes our Orientation Unique?

• Students learn to be culturally aware
• Encourages students from different backgrounds to meet those they

would not have otherwise met

• Strong emphasis on the importance of community in Hilo

 Peer Assistant Linkages and Support (PALS) Ginger Hamilton, Director of Minority Access & Achievement Program  Peer Assistant Linkages and Support (PALS)

• A peer mentoring program for students from underrepresented ethnic

backgrounds

 Many minority students are…

• first generation
• from low-income backgrounds
• have inadequate academic preparation
• lack role models

 Cultural values and learning differ from western academic system

• Affiliation-oriented

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• Social relationships are important

 Mentoring program can address barriers

• Function on academic environment
• Create supportive climate
• Learn from one another



• Orientation
• RAP Sessions
• Cultural/Community Service Activities
• Ethnic Clubs

 University 101 and Hawaiian Language In Action Ruth Robison, Director of International Student Services  University 101 Seminar

• 3 credits
• Special Populations
• Meets twice weekly
• Self-contained classroom
• Large group workshop series
• Writing Intensive

 United Nations Day Theme Workshops

• Conceptual framework by Greg Trifonovitch
• Study Abroad opportunities
• National Student Exchange opportunities

 Hawaiian Language In Action

• Na‘ilima Gaison, Instructor
• Popular with students from outside Hawai‘i

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• Introduction to Hawaiian cultural views
• ‘Ōhana
• Pono

 Hawaiian Language in Action

• Introduction to Hawaiian Language
• Total Physical Response (TPR)
• Hula words & gestures
• Increase understanding of Hawaiian culture for all students
• Adjustment to host culture for students from outside Hawai‘i

 Intercultural Student Retreat Pat Williams-Clayburn, Director of National Student Exchange  Ho‘omaka‘ana Hou! A New Beginning  Intercultural Student Retreat

• Volcano Crater rim walk
• Cultural caucuses
• Cross-Cultural communication



• Hula and Chant
• Lei making

 Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu’u

• Gathering at the Piko

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• Tending the māla

 Pū‘āla‘a / Ahalanui Pond  International Student Association (ISA) Kayo Yamaguchi, Assistant Director of International Student Services  United Nations Day

• Held every Fall
• Direct experience via:
• Food sampling
• Craft Display/Sales
• Performance
• Parade of Nations
• Intercultural Communication

 International Nights Held every Spring

• Two-night event
• Traditional Performances
• Opportunity to share
• Opportunity to learn

 Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Director of Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center Kanoe Wilson, Academic Support Specialist, Kīpuka 

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• Kīpuka is committed to helping the UH-Hilo community achieve

academic excellence by providing various services in a Hawaiian environment.

 Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center and Uluākea Faculty Development Program  Uluākea Curriculum Transformation and Faculty Development Program

• The principle goal of our program is to support systemic change for

the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to have a foundation based on Hawaiian worldviews.

 Uluākea Curriculum Transformation and Faculty Development Program

• Uluākea interprets as the Profound/Immense Inspiration. It is our

hope that our faculty will transmit this message to their students.

 The Uluākea process: Eia Hawai‘i Lecture Series

• The Uluākea project is providing resources to UH Hilo faculty to

support their evolution into critical agents of change - a positive change for

• ur institution, setting it apart as a Hawaiian institution of higher learning.

 Eia Hawai‘i Lecture Series  Future Directions

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Barbara Heintz, Counselor  What Do We Want?

• We want students to:
• Contribute in diverse settings
• Adjust to culturally/ethnically diverse environments
• Respect other cultures
• Be open to interactions with others from diverse backgrounds
• We want this experience to have a major impact

 How Will We Do It?

• Professional development activities
• Intentionally teach intercultural understanding
• Certificate in Diversity Leadership
• Summer Training Program for Professionals
• Commit to:
• Compassion
• Tolerance
• Peacemaking

 He Mau Nīnau? Are there any questions?  University of Hawai’i at Hilo Presenters

• Ruth Robison, Director of International Student Services

rrobison@hawaii.edu

• Pat Williams-Clayburn, Director of National Student Exchange

pcwillia@hawaii.edu

• Myhraliza Aala, Associate Director of the Campus Center

maala@hawaii.edu

• Elina Fred, Sophomore, Economics/Communication Double Major,

UH Hilo efred@hawaii.edu

• Ginger Hamilton, Director of Minority Access & Achievement

Program gingerh@hawaii.edu

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• Kayo Yamaguchi, Assistant Director of International Student Services

yyamaguc@hawaii.edu

• Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Director of Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student

Center gailml@hawaii.edu

• Kanoe Wilson, Academic Support Specialist, Kīpuka

suganuma@hawaii.edu

• Barbara Heintz, Counselor bheintz@hawaii.edu

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Office of Student Affairs 200 W. Kāwili Street Hilo, HI 96720-4091 <www.uhh.hawaii.edu>

 Mahalo a Nui Loa University of Hawai‘i at Hilo