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A solid education combined with wide-ranging, real-world experiences — including international travel–often add to a successful and fulfilling professional and personal life. Stephanie Ohigashi, the Coordinator of our Office of International & Regional Partnerships is having herself one busy summer. Thanks to her leadership efforts and the seeds she plants all year, we have students traveling to three separate short-term educational programs in Japan this summer and fall–one focusing on Early Childhood Education, one on the Culinary Arts, and one on Fashion Technology.
Another of these short-term programs took late last month in Montreux, Switzerland. A cohort of six 2024 Automotive Technology graduates–Ryan Cabebe, Jaden Givensel, Kalewa Kalanikau, Junnel Lagazo, Jydhen Pigao, and Zachary Ramos–none of whom had ever traveled to Europe, participated in a unique international automotive retail simulation called NUCARS. It was developed by Toyota as an automotive strategy game for its management trainees and dealers and then introduced to Northwood University (Michigan) students in the early 1990s. Since then, it has expanded globally and been hosted in North America, Europe and Asia. “As a result of a collaboration between UHMC and Northwood on an eSports project, Northwood’s Vice President of International Programs, Dr. Mamiko Reeves, toured UHMC and took note of our Automotive Technology program,” explains Ohigashi. “That led to our students being invited to this year’s NUCARS.”
About 50 students from European and U.S. schools participated. They were sorted into teams of six or seven and all our students were on different teams. The better to promote international understanding and team work. And they all brought unique skills and ideas to the party.
Basically, each team was tasked with creating a dealership–and everything it would need to be successful–and given a budget of about a million dollars. “I’m so proud of our students,” says Lawrence Martinson, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of our Automotive Technology Department who accompanied the students to Switzerland. Our program focuses on the technology rather than the business side.
“Our students brought practical knowledge to their teams. And they quickly learned to be strategic in business, as well.”
Junnel Lagazo, who is already working his way up through the service department ranks at Island Honda, was on the winning team. “We named our team, ‘Hakuna Matata’, (the phrase and song title made famous by The Lion King)” says Lagazo. “It means ‘no worries,’ and we wanted to create a business where our customers would never have to worry about their cars. We had four or five different models, all targeting families. Our main build was for safety and quality.”
“NexGen” was the name Jaden Givensel and his teammates chose. “Our dealership was an economy car brand aiming for middle income families who need a reliable car without the bells and whistles,” he explains. Givensel calls the trip “one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.” He’s in the process of moving to Colorado where he’ll continue to work as an Auto Technician, the position he held previously at a shop here on Maui. As a result of the trip, he wants to continue studying the business side of the industry.
Ryan Cabebe and his team, Makena, “wanted to create great, affordable cars that everyone could purchase, like Toyota in Hawai’i, generally.” And the name? “We wanted to get the feeling of that great, perfect vehicle to go to the beach with family and friends,” he explains. Cabebe works at Maui Auto Care. He says the trip enhanced his “go-getter,” independent mindset.
Everyone acknowledged the value of being exposed to the business side of the automotive industry. The “real-world” experiences also made important impressions. For Lagazo, it was making new relationships and the new friends are staying in touch via their What’s App group. Cabebe’s biggest takeaway? “I learned that I really love Maui. And I just want to be able to take care of my family and my community.”
Short-term programs like the ones taking place this summer and fall are available to our students every year. In addition, we have one-semester and full-year opportunities to study in Canada, Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Norway and more. The opportunity to travel and study abroad is just one more reason we hope you’ll consider continuing your education with us here at UHMC. For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit http://maui.hawaii.edu/
* Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawai’i Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Sunday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.