Why Study Abroad in Hawai'i?

While study abroad generally brings to mind studying overseas, each year many students take a different view and spend a semester, year or summer away from their home campus at another school in the U.S. The idea behind study abroad is to get out of your comfort zone for a period, to see new sights, meet new people, learn about another culture, and, of course, earn credit while doing it. With the Study Abroad Hawaii Program you can accomplish all of this and more!

Study Abroad Hawaii (SAH) was created to give students a ‘domestic’ option when thinking about spending a semester or summer abroad. The best part about our program, however, is that when you study in Hawaii, you really will feel that you are studying in a foreign country because it offers you opportunities that you just cannot find on the “mainland”. Some of the unique features of studying in Hawaii include:
  • As the most diverse State in the U.S., Hawaii is a living laboratory for racial harmony. 80% of the population is non-white and represents various races including Pacific Islander (Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Marshall Islands), Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino), African American and Hispanic.
  • Hawaii is a geological and environmental wonder where you can experience landscapes ranging from lush, tropical rainforests, to barren lava fields left by the many volcanoes still present in Hawaii, to the only barrier reef found in the U.S.
  • The institution at which you will study, Hawaii Pacific University, is as acclaimed for its academic merit as it is for its international flavor. Students from over 100 countries make up nearly 25% of the student population making it one of the most international universities in the world.
As you will find out, a semester or summer “abroad” in Hawaii will be as unique of an academic and cultural experience as you could find with any traditional study abroad program.
 
 

Program Overview
Hawaii, perhaps the most famous island chain in the world, has many attractions – sun, surf and culture. You can also add education to that list. The obvious question that everyone asks is, “How can you study in Hawaii?” We might ask the same question of students who attend college in Colorado, California or Florida – all spectacularly beautiful places. The difference between those places and Hawaii is the culture of the Islands. It’s like no other place on Earth.
The academic site of Study Abroad Hawaii’s program is at Hawaii Pacific University, HPU, the largest private university in Hawaii. HPU is located on the island of Oahu, the most populated island in the chain and location of such famous spots as Honolulu, Waikiki, the North Shore and Pearl Harbor. While studying at HPU you will have the option of taking classes at either of HPU’s main campuses – the Downtown Campus in Honolulu or the Windward Campus in Kaneohe. The campuses are linked by a free, university shuttle and together they operate as one of the most interesting learning institutions in the Pacific Rim. More information about HPU and Oahu is available by clicking on the links.

As part of the Study Abroad Hawaii program, you will experience a number of “inclusions” to make your time studying in Hawaii memorable. Upon arrival in Hawaii you will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation choice. During your first day or two on the islands you will take part in our Island Orientation, complete with Circle Island Tour and Welcome Luau. Throughout the semester SAH will plan cultural excursions and field trips to introduce you to all the splendor of Oahu. A day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, rainforest hikes, and reef snorkeling are a few of the planned activities.

All in all, the program promises to be a unique learning and cultural experience – one that you can only find through Study Abroad Hawaii.
 
 

Our "Expert" Staff
Study Abroad Hawaii was founded by Kelly and Jeff Palm – both “experts” on Hawaii having resided there for more than seven years. Also, both of our founders are alumni of Hawaii Pacific University, the academic site of SAH, and Jeff was an employee of the University for six years. They uniquely understand Hawaii, the issues of being a newcomer to the Islands, and the academic component that plays a central role in the Program. The Palm’s coordinate the “mainland” portion of Study Abroad Hawaii, processing your applications, working with your college or university, and preparing you for your time abroad.

In addition, CIS employees a On-site Director each semester to assist students in their acclimation to Hawaii and to the University. The On-site Director will meet them at the airport, tour them around the area participants live in and be their main point of contact for questions during their time in Hawaii.
 
 
Study Abroad Hawai'i, 25 New South Street, #102, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-7639
Contact Study Abroad Hawai'i