As a student, Kevin Nguyen followed the path he thought he was supposed to take: engineering at UH Mānoa. 

But somewhere between confusing lectures and late-night studying, the direction stopped making sense, especially after Nguyen met UH Esports program director Sky Kauweloa.

“I was lost and had no idea what I was doing,” Nguyen said. “I was so fortunate that I met Sky because he convinced me to study collegiate esports.”

Now program assistant in the esports program, Nguyen has helped Kauweloa lead a competition-winning, industry-connected program that was named the best in the nation in 2022.

A key part of the program’s success is the ongoing partnership with South Korea-based professional esports organization Gen.G. Established in 2023, the partnership has given UH students the opportunity to travel and live in Korea to gain experience in one of the world’s most competitive esports markets.

“I really believe we’re building a cohort that’s unlike any other for internships in South Korea for esports,” said Kauweloa. “This is really a special moment for us because I don’t think this has ever happened.”

The Gen.G internship program has become a semesterly opportunity for UH students, with a handful traveling to South Korea for three weeks during the summer. Three years later, over 20 students have taken part in the life-altering experience.

“There’s no other international esports company that allows students to proactively work with people in the industry, connect, and have their work have a legitimate impact,” said Masen Luke, UH student ambassador for Gen.G.

Luke was first introduced to esports in high school by watching professional League of Legends teams. League of Legends is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game where two teams of five players each compete to destroy the opposing team’s base using team coordination and strategy. 

Globally, it is the No. 1 most played and viewed esports game and has garnered global fanbases.

Luke eventually accepted jobs as an esports coach at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and became a content lead for UH Esports, attributing his success to his time with Gen.G.

Students selected for the Gen.G program spend weeks immersed within the industry, contributing to real-world research and projects. Students have helped design educational curriculum for esports academies, worked on business logistics, and assisted in fan engagement research.

“Not only do students get to have fun in Korea, it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to learn from the best,” Nguyen said.

Now, the goal is to ensure students can translate their experiences into long-term careers. As the $200 billion industry continues to grow, the program is continuing to set students up to become a big part in that expansion.

“Engaging with industry, engaging with community, and looking at this at least from the university’s perspective as a research conduit are going to be the key drivers,” Kauweloa said.

With a new esports arena coming to the UH campus in 2027, the program hopes to gain more exposure and grow even more.

“I really want to repay the favor,” Nguyen said. “I know there’s other students just like me who might want to pursue something in games. They might not know that there’s this opportunity on campus. So if we can just get them to have an idea, get them connected, and just get them intrigued, that is the ultimate goal.”