NICE Program

The Service Learning Elective Course (SLEC) serves as an optional class for NICE Program students, offering hands-on learning experience while giving back to the community. Students of the Fall 2025 10-Week NICE Program participated in the course, having the chance to engage in three memorable excursions: Lyon Arboretum, Kanewai Loi, and Malama Maunalua. Throughout each visit, students learned directly about the environmental and cultural histories of each site before engaging in their volunteer work.

Meet four students: Ren Miyashima, Hono Murata, Chihiro Hara, and Saita Iwasaki. Each student is a Service Learning Elective Course participant all based from Ryukoku University in Osaka, Japan. Service Learning not only stood out as an opportunity for the students to be more community-oriented, but also to practice their English speaking.

Saita reflected on his experiences being able to work with indigenous plants throughout the course. As an individual volunteer service activity, Saita had chose to research about the origins of each excursion site and the environmental issues each faces with comparison to Japan.

“I learned through service learning about original Hawaiian nature and history, and the relationship between nature and the people who live in Hawaii.”

Chihiro offered a different perspective in her Service Learning reflection. Her reasoning for electing to choose a volunteer service activity, was to not only learn about Hawaiian nature and invasive species, but learn how its significance connects to the people. Engaging with local communities allowed Chihiro to overcome shyness and gain greater confidence when speaking English in a foreign setting.

“I think it (English ability) improved because I grew to speak with more initiative, and when I speak with my host family in English, I can enjoy speaking better than I thought.”

One of the most notable Service Learning activities was the Kanewai Lo’i excursion. This service event is a recurring community workday on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, cleaning streams, and maintaining the quality of taro patches across the university.

Ren picked the Loʻi not only as his most memorable experience in the Service Learning Elective Course, but throughout his time collectively in Hawaii. Some notable areas that Ren highlighted was learning about the background and historical significance the Loʻi Patch has on local communities. These experiences helped Ren grow fonder of Hawaiian culture and become easier-going when communicating with locals.

“[Aloha] spirit, I like. I like the relaxed and easygoing thoughts of local people.”

As an individual activity, Ren chose to volunteer alongside other UH Mānoa students for a beach clean-up event at Ala Moana Beach Park. Having never been to Ala Moana Beach, Ren decided to use this opportunity to not only explore more of what Hawaii has to offer, but connect with community-oriented individuals.

Ren Miyashima (right in both photos) at the Ala Moana Beach Park Clean-Up.

The last of our four students, Hono, took pride in contributing all her efforts to the individual activity project. Hono desired to work in an opportunity that was meaningful to her and involved close ties with her host family members based in Hawaii. She enjoyed a great deal of fun excursions with her family, along with visiting the north shore for the first time.

“It [SLEC] was interesting…communication with local people are [very] difficult, but I can improve my English skills a little bit, so [it was] fun.”

Hono chose to do her individual activity on an environmental initiative at Kuilei Cliffs Beach, located alongside Diamond Head Crater. Throughout this project, Hono identified and pulled out invasive plant species to help raise awareness for the overall and protection and thriving of native plants.

Congratulations to each of these students for the successful completion of the Fall 2025 10-Week NICE Program and we hope SLEC has had a lasting impact beyond the classroom experience.

The next Service Learning Elective Course will begin in April. For more information please contact ipinfo@hawaii.edu.

Hi everyone! My name is Seun Kim (everyone in the office calls me Joy). I am originally from South Korea and moved to Hawai’i as an international student in 2022. My desire to relocate here on island stemmed from various reasons, most notably to become better proficient in English and study Japanese language and culture as well. Through these experiences, I hope to one day work as a flight attendant to communicate and travel with people from all across the world.

Now reflecting back as I near graduation, living in Hawai’i definitely fulfilled those expectations. From my experiences working as a student assistant for the NICE office (May 2023 – December 2025), I am thankful for the diverse group of students I had the privilege of meeting and befriending.

“Studying abroad in Hawaiʻi was undoubtedly a turning point in my life.”

Growing up, my parents had always encouraged me to study abroad and travel across the world, mainly due to foreign exposure and it benefiting my personal growth. Taking up this action was originally only a thought and was never executed until the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, it grew difficult for me to find a position within the aviation industry and immediately settle in Korea. Due to these circumstances and subsequent desire to improve my language speaking ability, I finally took on that initial step deciding to study abroad.

“During my time in Hawaii, I learned not only languages, but also cultures, American, Hawaiian and Japanese.”

Engaging in an English-only lifestyle was definitely an adjustment, but as time went on, I grew fonder and began to grow a deeper love for Hawai’i’s cultural environment. Having conversations with classmates at school and colleagues in the NICE office not only strengthened my confidence in English speaking and writing, but helped me learn more about American culture in the United States. Before moving to Hawai’i, I would also would never have had the opportunity to learn and speak English andJapanese. Enrolling in the language classes was another impactful experience helping me explore a wider range of cultures.

“With the Aloha mindset, I’ve become more positive and relaxed.”

In addition, being away from hectic city life and instead surrounded by the ocean and lush green forests was a great change of scenery for my peace of mind. Back in Korea, I would work in a faster-paced environment with strict deadlines. Hawai’i served as the opposite, helping me learn the values of slowing down and approaching areas of life with greater calmness. At times this change of mindset can still feel like an adjustment, but throughout my experiences it has taught me to clear my mind of unnecessary worries. This sense of Aloha spirit is what I hope to carry forth upon returning to life in Korea.

“I’m truly grateful for everyone who made my time in Hawaii special.”

I started working for the NICE office thanks to the recommendation of a close friend. Having never worked an office job beforehand, I am especially thankful for my supervisors and colleagues who helped me learn in such a kind and enjoyable way. Creating video content, blogs, and working with social media projects for the NICE Program was truly a rewarding experience and something I hope to cherish moving forward.

“The cool breeze, the hot sun, rainbows, acai bowls and fresh poke!”

Leaving behind all the qualities I love about Hawaiʻi still feels surreal. Now saying goodbye to the island I have grown so attached to, I will carry forth these memories with me upon entering the next chapter of my life. Hawai’i will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will definitely visit again!

The NICE Program welcomed students from Ryukoku University, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Kyungsung University, and others for the Fall 10-Week NICE Program. The students studied English for 10-weeks, focusing on English grammar, listening, oral production, integrated skills and TOEIC as an elective. Here are some moments captured!

Orientation & Campus Tour

TOEIC Service Learning Activity

Halloween Learning Activity

Community Day

Graduation

When you think of Christmas movies, which one comes to mind first?
There is not winter in Hawaiʻi, so Christmas here feels more like summer, but we can still enjoy the cozy holiday vibes by watching movies set in snowy, white Christmas scenes!

If you want to get into the Christmas spirit and practice your English this holiday season, here are some movies I recommend!

1. Home Alone (1990)

The Story follows two burglars who target empty houses while families are away on holiday, but things take an unexpected turn when Kevin is accidentally left home alone. He ends up protecting his house from the thieves all by himself even though he is a young boy. It is both funny and thrilling to see the clumsy burglars constantly outsmarted by a clever little kid. The Home Alone movies have several sequels, so it is also fun to pick and choose which one to watch!

2. The Santa Clause (1994)

Scott, an ordinary divorced man, discovers Santa Claus on his roof on Christmas Eve. When he puts on Santa’s suit, he suddenly finds himself in the position of becoming the real Santa Claus. He must prove to everyone that he is indeed the real Santa. What makes this movie fun is that, as soon as he puts on the Santa suit, his appearance slowly starts to transform, his beard grows white, and his body gets larger, gradually turning him into Santa Claus. Will he able to understand the true meaning of Christmas and fulfill his role as Santa?

3. The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express begins with a young boy who has stopped believing in Christmas. One night, he boards a mysterious train called the Polar Express, bound for the North Pole. Along the journey, he meets other children and experiences a series of wondrous adventures, Will he come to believe in Santa Claus again? Watch this heartwarming film to find out!

4. The Grinch (2018)

The Grinch is a lonely green creature who despises Christmas. He hates the joy and festivity that come with the holiday, so he decided to steal Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, he plans to take away all the presents to soothe his grumpy heart. Will the Grinch really be able to take away all the happiness and joy of Christmas? The film’s vividly colored buildings, glowing lights, and rich sound effects enhance the magical Christmas atmosphere, making it even more enchanting.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who accidentally discovers Christmas Town and tries to take over Christmas. Since Jack does not truly understand what Christmas means, he performs Santa’s role in his own spooky way, terrifying children instead of delighting them. Directed by Tim Burton, known for his dark and fantastical style, the film cleverly connects the joy of Christmas with the eeriness of nightmares, as suggested by its title.

During Fall 10-Week NICE Program, students who took Service Learning elective courses, visited and experienced Lyon Arboretum, Kānewai Loʻi, and Mālama Maunalua.

Lyon Arboretum

Kānewai Loʻi

Mālama Maunalua