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International Student Services & Intercultural Education

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The office assists international students in clarifying and attaining their personal and academic goals while complying with the regulations pertaining to their immigration status. The International Student Services Office serves as an interface between UH Hilo and international students in order to facilitate communication, understanding and appreciation between them. Ultimately, the goals of international education are to advance learning and scholarship and to increase intercultural awareness, understanding and competency in a global community.

Admissions information for international students may be found at the Admissions Office site.

Check out Study in the States for information and resources for prospective and current international students, including information on applying for a visa to enter the United States, getting ready to go, arriving in the U.S., maintaining your status, and working in the U.S.

Upcoming Events & Activities

International Student Association Elections

Deadline for Nominations: April 30

Consider becoming an officer for the International Student Association for next year! This is a great way to get involved in the campus, get to know others, develop leadership skills, gain experience, give back to the community, and have fun!

Several positions will be open, including Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster, Membership Coordinator, and Public Relations Officer. The election will take place from April 30-May 4.

If you are interested, please contact Xiaohui Yang, the current President, at xiaohuiy@hawaii.edu no later than April 30.

International Nights DVDs

DVD's of International Nights 2012 are now available! To order a copy, please send an email to iss@hawaii.edu with your name, which night(s) you want a DVD of (Friday and/or Saturday), your email address and phone number. Or stop by the International Student Services office and sign up for a copy. When your DVD is ready, you will receive an email letting you know it is ready to be picked up. Please allow 1-2 weeks for your DVD to be ready to be picked up.

Each DVD is $5. You can pay by cash or check (sorry, no debit cards) at the time you pick up your DVD. (Checks can be made out to "International Student Association.")

Survey of FSM Citizens

The FSM National Government is currently conducting a survey of FSM citizens who live outside of the FSM. They would like as many FSM citizens living outside the FSM to complete the survey as possible.

The survey can be accessed here. The link to the survey below contains more information, such as why the survey is being conducted, what information they are collecting, what it will be used for, etc.

 

International Student Activities

Information for All International Students

  • Orientation and Workshops
  • Appointments
  • Cultural Adjustments
  • Personal Concerns
  • Academic Questions
  • Releasing Information
  • TB Tests
  • Forms

Information for New and Transfer Students

Information For Students in F-1 Status

  • Immigration
  • F-1 Requirements
  • Reinstatement
  • Employment
  • Extension of Stay
  • Transferring to Another School
  • Leaving the US for Vacation
  • Financial Difficulties
  • Medical Insurance
  • Scholarship Information
  • Application to Accept On Campus Employment

Information for Students From Palau, FSM & Marshall Islands

  • Scholarships
  • Immigration
  • Employment
  • Health Insurance
  • Tuition
  • Clubs

About the Director

Jim Mellon

Jim Mellon began serving as the Director of International Student Services & Intercultural Education in July 2011. Having previously worked as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Dean of Students at UH Hilo, he is very familiar with the University and its students. Jim earned his bachelor's degree from Duke University and master's degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was immersed in intercultural learning and programs as a grantee with the East-West Center.

 

Goals: Facilitate the success of international students, as well as to promote the development of intercultural competence among all students with an emphasis on social justice.

 

Likes: Competing in open water swimming races and triathlons, traveling, music by Dave Matthews Band & Jack Johnson, books by David Sedaris & Tom Robbins, movies by Jim Jarmusch, comedians Kristen Wiig & Chelsea Handler.

 

Did You Know: He swam 28.5 miles around New York City and once won the Maui channel swim from Lanai to Maui, competed in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships four times, lived and worked on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia as a volunteer teacher for three years.