“Back-to-school” season at the East-West Center kicks off early in August, with the annual Community Building Institute (CBI), an integrated place-based and place-conscious orientation for all new EWC degree students, scheduled two weeks before the start of classes at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM). This year’s CBI will feature one of the largest and most dynamic cohorts to date, with 150 students hailing from 44 countries/territories and 14 US states. The planning team, which includes the engagement and perspectives of continuing students who have previously participated in CBI, are responsible for making the program. One of those dedicated volunteer CBI interns is EWC Foundation Scholar, Hailey Hesseltine.

“Although I had been diligent about researching the East-West Center, UH Mānoa, Hawai‘i, and its history [before I arrived in fall 2022], I had no connection to the island and knew nobody else at the university,” shared Hailey, who received her BS in psychology from Texas Christian University.

In addition, Hailey said that CBI gave her a deeper understanding of the culture in Hawai‘i, thanks to the curriculum developed by long-time CBI coordinator and EWC alumnus, Alapaki Luke. Said Hailey, “I gained so much from participating in CBI, and I wanted to be a part in growing the program, especially since more students are coming this year! Also from a professional standpoint, there is such value in offering transition programs at any level of education, so for me, participating in the CBI experience allowed me to put research into practice, which is something I always try to do in my field.”

Coming from a small rural community outside of Fort Worth, Texas, Hailey was drawn to the East-West Center because of her passion for international education. “I grew up on a farm growing produce and helping my mom raise cattle. I took many road trips all across the US with my mom and brother as a kid, but I finally got to leave the country in 2021 to travel to Türkiye, and more recently, this past March to visit Vietnam.” Thus, for Hailey, the East-West Center not only provides her the funding to be the first in her family to pursue a graduate degree, it also offers a global community of scholars where both academic as well as cultural exchange are cultivated. “Being at the East-West Center has complemented my studies in a way I could not find at any other institution,” she said.

At UHM, Hailey is studying Educational Administration (MEd) with an emphasis in Higher Education, with her research focus on the F-1 visa student experience. “Once I finish my program, I hope to work in either international student services or a study abroad program. I believe it is crucial for every student to build their global citizenship through an educational experience abroad, so I hope to focus my career in creating equitable spaces for students coming to study in the US or that are leaving the US for an exchange program.”

The East-West Center offers scholarships for graduate study as well as affiliation programs for service-minded students with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region to join our international graduate student community. Hailey is supported by multiple scholarships including the EWCA Alumni Endowment fund, Lisa Tsoi Hoshmand Fellowships, and Trudy and Al Wong ‘Ohana Scholarship Award.