For many international students, the dream of earning a degree in the United States seems out of reach due to financial constraints. At BYU–Hawaii, IWORK, a work-study program makes that dream a reality for thousands of students from across the Pacific and Asia each year. By combining part-time work with tuition assistance, the scholarship not only funds their education but also teaches self-reliance, time management, and the value of service.
The IWORK Program provides financial aid to eligible international students who work part-time on campus while pursuing their degrees. In exchange, students commit to maintaining academic standards, living by the university’s Honor Code, and are inspired to and serve in communities throughout Oceania and the Asian Rim after graduation. It is one of the many things that makes BYU–Hawaii so unique.
Three students share how IWORK has transformed their lives, blessed their families, and strengthened their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Almira Dagohoy: A Lifeline for Her Family
Almira Dagohoy, a sophomore from the Philippines double-majoring in accounting and business management with an emphasis in finance, shares how the IWORK program was a lifeline, not just for her, but for her entire family in the Philippines. “My parents didn’t need to worry about my education anymore, and I could provide for myself here while studying,” she said. “When I finally arrived at BYU–Hawaii, I felt the Lord’s huge blessings on our family.”
Dagohoy comes from a family of nine children, with six still in primary and secondary school. Her parents are unemployed due to health challenges and the family has often struggled to make ends meet. “Sometimes, when we went to school back home, we didn’t have anything to eat,” she said. “That’s why I knew how much this scholarship would help me and how it could unburden my family. Now my parents can focus on my younger siblings’ education.”
This is Dagohoy’s first time working, and she says IWORK has given her both professional and spiritual growth. “It’s the first time I’ve felt both educated and spiritually enlightened,” she said. “In the Philippines, most schools are not religion-based. Here, I’m surrounded by people who share my faith, especially returned missionaries. Even though I’m not one, my connection with the Lord has grown.” She added that her older sister, Fatima, is also a BYU–Hawaii student. “The blessings have multiplied in our family,” she said. “I’ve grown personally and spiritually, and I’ve seen how the Lord blesses my family because of it.”
Jatuphon Phakdeerat: Self-Reliance and Family Support
Jatuphon Phakdeerat, a senior from Thailand majoring in business management with an emphasis in marketing and supply chain, shared how his path to BYU–Hawaii began years before he set foot on campus. A convert to the Church in 2016, his decision wasn’t met with enthusiasm at first. “No one agreed with me when I wanted to be baptized. They thought I was going to lose my future by changing religions,” he said. He later left a local university to serve in the Thailand Bangkok Mission, where his mission president introduced him to BYU–Hawaii and the IWORK Program.
“Since I got the IWORK scholarship, I’ve been able to rely on myself and not be a burden on my family,” Phakdeerat said. “Because of the additional money I make from my paycheck, I can even help support my younger sister’s education back home.” His parents are not members of the Church, but he says they now see the blessings his decision has brought. “They’re proud I chose this path. They can see how the Lord has worked in my life.”
Phakdeerat worked for over two years as a server at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s luau, where he met guests from around the world—including Church leaders—and was able to save money by bringing home meals. “I didn’t have to spend on dinner every day, and I saved the tips I received,” he said. Now serving as the marketing and social media specialist for Student Leadership & Service, he says the job connects directly to his career goals in marketing and supply chain. “We connect with organizations from Kaneohe to Waimea. It’s helped me build communication skills, work under pressure, and find solutions,” he said. “From the first day I came here, I never asked my family for money. Sometimes you sacrifice for those behind you. Education blesses not just you, but your whole family.”
Tammie Fonoimoana, senior manager of Financial Aid & Scholarships at BYU–Hawaii, said the impact of IWORK extends far beyond finances. “I have had the privilege of witnessing the Lord’s hand in the lives of our students as they work toward their educational goals at BYU–Hawaii,” she said. “Through His grace, the IWORK program continues to provide financial assistance to students and families. It is an honor to be part of a great program.”
Annie Misitana: Building Faith and a Future
Annie Misitana, a freshman from Solomon Islands majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain, shared how the journey to BYU–Hawaii was more than just a flight across the Pacific. Born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she grew up in a gospel-centered home, though her parents were converts. “My dad joined first, and when my mom married him, she joined too. We were sealed in the temple,” Misitana said. “Most of my life, I grew up in the gospel, but I had to gain my [own] testimony.”
Misitana served as a missionary for The Church in the Australia Brisbane Mission in 2023 before applying to BYU–Hawaii. She first learned about the IWORK program from Church members back home. “When I heard about IWORK, I saw it as a great opportunity. University life is so expensive, and I couldn’t afford to study abroad otherwise,” she said. “If I hadn’t found out about it, I would have probably joined BYU–Pathway Worldwide or gone to a local university.”
Now working part-time as a groundskeeper for Facilities Management, Misitana said the program has taught her valuable life skills. “Balancing work and school has taught me time management. I’ve learned how to prioritize what comes first and next,” she said. “Being here, surrounded by people from different backgrounds but united in the gospel, is amazing. Even those who aren’t members live the gospel through the Honor Code.” For Misitana, IWORK is more than financial aid, it’s a blessing she says she could never repay with money. “This kind of opportunity is once in a lifetime. You just have to make the most of it,” she said.
For more information about the IWORK program, visit financialaid.byuh.edu/iwork
