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” 

UH Hilo Page 2 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 

UH Hilo Page 3 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

UH Hilo Page 4  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

UH Hilo Page 5 • 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

UH Hilo Page 6 • 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

UH Hilo Page 7 • 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 

UH Hilo Page 8 • 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 our institution, setting it apart as a Hawaiian institution of higher learning.  Eia Hawai‘i Lecture Series  Future Directions

UH Hilo Page 9 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

UH Hilo Page 10 • 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