Several BYU-Hawaii students currently serving international internships in their home countries recently shared brief interim reports on their experiences this summer:
Lydia Kaminaga, Marshall Islands
Lydia Kaminaga [wearing a blue shirt in the photo on the left], a junior political science major from the Marshall Islands, reported her internship with the Ministry of Resources and Development there has put her in close contact with top officials and led her to participate in several unique projects.
For example, on the second day of her internship, in a meeting with the ministry secretary, deputy secretary and a visitor from the University of Minnesota representing the Pillsbury Company, after appropriate training she was put in charge of demonstrating a machine the visitor brought that "shreds and grinds breadfruit to flour" at a "Made in the Marshall Islands trade fair... " "It was a great experience and I was glad to be a part of it," Kaminaga said. She said she also went to other parts of the island to continue demonstrating the machine.
During her second week, Kaminaga answered questions about the breadfruit project at a conference of mayors from all the surrounding islands. "I am happy to say that I got up and I introduced myself and told them about my internship and what university I attend. Then I went ahead and answered their questions," she said. "I also got first sight of what their meetings and conferences are like."
Kaminaga said she has also worked with the Solar Energy Department, the Trade and Investments Service Division, and the Quarantine Division; she and the Minister will travel to the island of Ebon "where the first missionaries came and brought the gospel to the people of the Marshall Islands" 150 years ago. "A lot of meetings have taken place for this anniversary. I've attended all of them with the Minister."
"I'm glad that I'm here and that I've had all these opportunities of working with the Ministry and having new experiences that I know will make a big impact on my choice of career and future," she continued.
"I had a really good talk with the Minister about all the different things that I've seen and experienced while doing my internship here. He told me to keep observing so that if and when I decide to come back, he guarantees that a job will be waiting for me here in the Ministry."
"Coming back out here as made me learn and grow more," Kaminaga said. "My testimony of the gospel has, in fact, increased, and the blessing that I've received is tremendous. I love this work and I thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Everton Santos, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Everton Santos, a senior in international business, wrote that he and his wife [pictured on the left] are having a memorable experience in Porto Alegre, a large city in southern Brazil, where he interacts with medical and psychology students at the Pontific Catholic University under the direction of a medical professor and BYU-Hawaii's Dr. Peter Chan. He has also presented Latter-day Saint "firesides" with local members and leaders there and in Santa Maria, a three-hour drive away.
"Both interactions with local members and leaders, and also doctors have enabled us to have a better appreciation for our nation of Brazil," he said. "On a personal note, I think that having the opportunity to attend BYU-Hawaii has given me a broader vision of leadership principles, especially being an IBM major. I have been looking at how things are running now in the political, economical, social, and educational side of Brazil."
Aprilon Empeno, San Pablo, Philippines
Aprilon Empeno, a junior international business major from San Pablo, a city south of Manila, Philippines, reported that "one of the best things that happened in my internship" has been working with a local Church member, Lina De Guzman [pictured with Empeno on the right], to help conduct two-day basic reflexology training workshops. Reflexology is a massage-manipulation therapy that practitioners believe assists self-healing and is most commonly focused on the feet, hands and/or ears.
Empeno explained once the volunteer participants complete the training they are assessed and "qualified to be certified as reflexologists who are accredited by the government. This program has helped many [Latter-day Saint] members and non-members have extra income or get jobs in exclusive spas and clinics."
He said there was a "good turnout of attendance" in three LDS stakes in Laguna and Lucena. "Many of these participants were excited and willing to learn this new and basic technique of reflexology, and there were hundreds graduated in the program with certificates."
For more news on internships please click here.