UH Hilo international students gain experience, contribute through internships
From developing AI chatbots to surveying coral reefs, student interns gain new knowledge and skills while contributing to their fields and communities.
By Susan Enright.
Several international students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo over the summer engaged in internships on Hawaiʻi Island, the continental U.S., and abroad.
This opportunity for hands-on, practical training while pursuing a degree is one of the main draws for international students to UH Hilo, says Jim Mellon, director of international student services.
“Whether a student engages in an internship on campus, in the local community, or in their home nation, they not only learn new skills and acquire new knowledge, but they benefit from gaining real-world experience and applying knowledge and skills they have developed in their academic coursework,” says Mellon. “Host organizations benefit as well from the unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and talents international students bring to the table.”
Mellon notes that internships not only deepen student’s knowledge and skills, but also help create professional networks and connections that can lead to future career opportunities.
“Getting paid for the work is also a huge benefit and helps students meet their educational expenses and keeps them on a solid pathway to graduation,” says Mellon.
“Students and I are so appreciative of the hard work that faculty, departments, and organizations put into coordinating internship and other community-based learning experiences and providing these incredibly valuable opportunities for students.”
Fiona Ryan, Cayman Islands
Fiona Ryan, a marine science major from the Cayman Islands, was selected for a prestigious internship with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, a non-profit oceanographic research center in Moss Landing, California. Ryan was particularly interested in the institute’s use of technology to explore and map the ocean.
Ryan used time series images from a camera deployed to 4000m depth to look at detrital aggregates (carbon that sinks from the surface) once they reach the sea floor. She followed different aggregates through the time series imagery from the moment they landed to when they were gone, either by being eaten or being chemically degraded over time.
“It was such an incredible opportunity to run this research project and to be surrounded by such driven passionate scientists and engineers,” says Ryan.
She also learned how to code in Python, a skill she had not expected to acquire, and helped deploy some sediment traps from the institute’s research vessel.
Manuela Cortes, Columbia
Marine science major Manuela Cortes interned with the National Park Service on Hawaiʻi Island (see photo at top of post). Originally from Colombia, Cortes says she “had the incredible opportunity to intern with the National Park Service, combining my passion for marine science and public outreach.”
“From underwater SCUBA surveys and coral reef monitoring to developing educational materials for visitors, I gained hands-on experience in protecting and preserving our marine environments,” she says of her monitoring the recovery of coral reefs at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park and exploring the unique ecosystems of anchialine pools and Hawaiian fishponds.
As part of her internship, Cortes created an ArcGIS StoryMap, Coral Reefs at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, detailing her summer explorations.
“I’m excited to continue sharing what I’ve learned and to advocate for the importance of preserving our natural resources,” says Cortes.
Learn more about Cortes’s award-winning research activities:
- UH Hilo Marine Option Program students earn awards at statewide MOP Symposium (UH Hilo Stories, April 18, 2024)
Jing Feng, China; Ginate Mahuru, Papua New Guinea; and Basil Tavake, Solomon Islands
Three international students from the College of Business and Economics completed a summer program funded by the National Science Foundation. The project focused on developing artificial intelligence chatbots for UH Hilo business students seeking academic advising or career advice.
Jing Feng from China, Ginate Mahuru from Papua New Guinea, and Basil Tavake from Solomon Islands were mentored throughout the project by Sukhwa Hong, associate professor of data science and business, and Helen Tien, instructor of management and a career advisor for the business college.
The team specifically worked on innovative applications of natural language processing and large language models in sustainability and education. Using AI tools, the student researchers worked with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Llama 3 to develop the best advising chatbot.
- UH Hilo business students develop AI chatbot to assist with academic advising (UH Hilo Stories, July 29, 2024)
“We are confident that this AI driven approach will play a crucial role in enhancing educational experience supporting academic success and other fields by using AI technologies,” says Mahuru. “We can analyze critical data, generate impactful messages, and provide innovative solutions to real world.”
Nathan Fagolmwai, Federated States of Micronesia
Nathan Fagolmwai from Woleai atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia conducted his internship work through UH Hilo’s Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science or PIPES, a summer program that supports ʻāina-based (land-based) internships in local communities and island environments with the goal to grow the next generation of leaders in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
PIPES grew out of program started in the 1990s through Mellonʻs collaboration with the UH Sea Grant College Program to initiate and develop a summer internship program for students from the Pacific Islands. That initiative grew into PIPES that now offers four program pathways — ancestral, ecological, community, and research — each focusing on internships and mentorships that help students track into careers that improve the quality of life for themselves, their ʻohana (family), and their communities. Many PIPES alumni have careers with state, federal, and private agencies charged with environmental stewardship, jobs for which they are well prepared.
Fagolmwai’s PIPES research was done through the ancestral track, where he conducted interviews, gathering knowledge and stories that enriched his understanding of his cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it.
“The internship didn’t just take me to new places physically, it also expanded my mindset,” says Fagolmwai. “These experiences not only broadened my perspective but also deepened my connection to my culture and the work I’m passionate about.”
Everette Reklai, Palau
Business administration major Everette Reklai interned in the human resources department at Surangel and Son’s company in Palau, where he gained invaluable experience in human resources operations and management in his home country.
Under the guidance of human resources advisor Marleen Ngirametuker, Reklai learned about recruitment, employee relations, and the importance of effective communication in a workplace setting.
Reklai’s summer internship was supported by a Palau Fellowship Award from the Palau National Scholarship Board, which provides financial support for students who are studying outside of Palau to encourage them to return home and serve as leaders in the community.
Reflecting on the experience, Reklai says “the internship allowed me to apply the concepts I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally in such a supportive environment.”
Agustin Gentile, Argentina, and Filippo DiPerna, Italy
Two student-athletes in men’s tennis, Agustin Gentile from Argentina and Filippo DiPerna from Italy, interned with the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaiʻi Island.
Through a program called Curricular Practical Training that enables students studying in the U.S. on student visas to work off-campus, Gentile (communication major) and DiPerna (kinesiology and exercise science major) were able to gain valuable work experience while earning academic credit through their academic departments.
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
