About Us
UH Hilo’s Center for Global Education and Exchange was established to give opportunities for student and faculty exchange, study abroad programs, and to develop international agreements with other institutions of higher education.
Meet the Staff
Keith Miser, Executive Director, Center for Global Education and Exchange
Carolina G. C. Lam, Director, Global Education
Greetings! As an alumni of UH Hilo, I am thrilled and honored to be working at my alma mater in the area of international education. I strongly believe that every one should have an opportunity to go abroad – for a summer, semester or even year! Our office will be happy to assist you in finding the right program for you and with applying for scholarships to go abroad. So, check us out!
Todd Shumway, Director, Global Exchange
I love to travel, and, since I can't travel all the time, working with at the Center for Global Education and Exchange is a great job because, in our office, the world comes to us. We have a warm welcoming office for students from all over the world, and we enjoy meeting and helping our exchange students. I have been working as an ESL teacher for more than ten years. My passions are playing soccer, reading, being with my friends and family, and of course...traveling. I look forward to seeing you in beautiful Hilo.
Hyun Ji Lee, Office Coordinator
Aloha!! I’m Hyunji Lee, people call me “Jimmy.” I graduated with linguistics major from UH Hilo. I really like listening to music and chatting with my friends. And I also am really interested in studying Japanese. I’m really happy to help all of you aand look forward to meeting you all!! Oh, and one more thing I want to tell you is… if you are interested in Korean language & cultures, please join my “Korean language & culture program” aka Something Korean.
Meet the Global Education and Exchange Leaders
Global Education and Exchange Leaders (GELS): dynamic, talented and amazing students willing to assist and welcome the new international exchange students as well as the UH Hilo students interested in going abroad.
Yuko Miyazato, GEL
Aloha! I'm Yuko Miyazato from Okinawa, Japan. I have been in Hilo for 4 years, and my 5th year is coming soon. I love the nature and people in Hilo. After I completed ESL classes I enrolled in UH Hilo as a psychology major. I am happy to get to know new students through this job. I hope all of you have great experiences and see various cultures while you study at UH Hilo.
RieTakemoto, GEL
Hi, I'm Rie. I am majoring in communications. I grew up in Japan until high school, and then I decided to study abroad in America. I graduated from my community college in Washington State, and I came to UHH in the spring semester of 2007. I love to go to the beach. I like swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, and snorkeling. Please say “hi” to me if you see me at the beach!!
Aaron Ouchi, GEL
Aloha!! I’m a fourth year student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. I’m a Marine Science/Mathematics major. As you can tell, science and mathematics are my forte but I also enjoy learning different languages. I’m from Honolulu on the island of Oahu. I am currently also working as a tutor with the Upward Bound program. I'm available to help tutor people if they so desire. Some of my hobbies include video gaming, puzzles, golf, watching UH Manoa volleyball and anime, and computers. Feel free to contact me at any time ^-^
Keisuke Sasada, GEL
Aloha! I am from Kyoto, Japan. I am majoring in Mathematics. I love playing soccer and watching movies. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me. I will do my best to help you! I hope you guys have great time while you are in Hawaii!
Mellisa Yamanaka, GEL
Aloha! I am a Hilo girl who recently graduated from UH Hilo with a BA in English and recently returned from studying abroad in Wellington, New Zealand. Living in New Zealand was culturally eye opening and life changing. Singing, smiling, and laughing are my passions, as is meeting new people and now, traveling abroad. Come and see me at the Center for Global Education & Exchange, I would love to help you find that country that will change your life!
Henrik Juhlin, GEL
Hello, I’m an energy engineering student also majoring in business. I’m here as an exchange student from Sweden doing my best to be a good European representative for the office, while repressing the day I have to leave because I’m having the time of my life at UH Hilo and around the Big Island. I love all kinds of sports and adventures. Usually the more water is involved, the more I love it. “I encourage all to really take advantage of what this beautiful and special island has to offer and make the most of your time here”
Wan Chian Tsai, GEL
Hello everyone, I am a pre-nursing student and I will start my study in the nursing program in Fall 2009. I was an exchange student from Taiwan and then decided to transfer to UHH after graduating from Taiwan. Needless to say, I love the friendly people and the natural environment on this island and that’s why I came back here. UHH is a cool place to study and play. I like to go hiking and go swimming at beaches. There are so many cool places to visit on this island and you definitely should check out our excursion trips.