International Student Languages
The UH Hilo International Student Services program and International Student Association invite you to take a few minutes to learn some conversational words and phrases and information about the many languages our students speak.
Our students have created short (5-15 minute) videos introducing you to their language. This project recognizes the United Nations' upcoming International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Mini language lessons are available below and on the International Student Association YouTube channel. Learn Sonsorolese (spoken in Palau), Uchinaaguchi (spoken in Okinawa), Japanese, Swahili, Turkmen, Swedish, Kosraen, Mandarin, Nauruan, Serbian, Korean, Palauan, and Kapingamarangi (spoken in Pohnpei State, Micronesia)!
UH Hilo typically enrolls over 200 students from more than 30 countries each year. The diverse perspectives and backgrounds international students contribute to campus enrich the educational experience for all. In addition, the financial contributions of international students to the economy are significant: the contributions to the State of Hawai'i and the Big Island were estimated at $124 million and $3.7 million, respectively, last year. Nationally, international students contributed an estimated $42 billion to the national U.S. economy last year.
Sonsorolese (spoken in Palau)
Japanese (spoken in Japanese)
Kosraen (spoken in Kosrae, Micronesia)
Swahili (spoken in Kenya)
Swedish (spoken in Sweden)
Turkmen (spoken in Turkmenistan)
Uchinaaguchi (spoken in Okinawa)
Palauan (spoken in Palau)
Mandarin (spoken in China)
Korean (spoken in South Korea)
Nauruan (Spoken in Nauru)
Kapingamarangi (spoken in Pohnpei State, Micronesia)
Serbian (spoken in Serbia)
Want to add your language?
Contact the International Student Services Director if you are a UH Hilo student and would like to participate in this project and add your language!