Study Abroad In Hawaii (Where, Visas, Scholarships & Resources)
If you’ve ever dreamt of living in the land of lush landscapes and volcanoes, now is your chance with study abroad programmes in Hawaii! Rather than just jetting off to Hawaii’s stunning islands for a beach vacation or honeymoon getaway, you can undertake a study abroad programme that allows you to truly explore this fascinating state; delving into the indigenous history, the broad ecology and the authentic culture and cuisine that Hawaii has to offer.
With programmes of varying lengths, styles and subjects, you can spend a year, summer or semester studying in Hawaii, giving you a wealth of new experiences (as well as a decent tan!).
What You’ll Gain From Your Study Abroad Trip
Hundreds of students from all over the globe choose to come and study in Hawaii, bringing together a range of cultures, ages and languages. While you will all communicate in English, you will be able to learn a great deal from the variety of people you interact with.
At the Hawaii Pacific University, there are two main campus sites; one located on the coast and the other in a tropical setting close to Honolulu. You’ll therefore be able to soak up the atmosphere, culture and landscapes of this incredible state on a daily basis, making for an unforgettable trip. When you’re not studying, you can surf, hike, snorkel, dance, sunbathe and discover new parts of the island — constantly keeping you entertained and engaged.
Planning Your Study Abroad Trip
Where
Once you’ve decided you want to study abroad in Hawaii, you’ll need to plan whether to stick to one island, say at a specific university, or to explore a range of destinations with a trip like ‘semester at sea’. This will depend on what you want to see and study and what is available for your time limit, subject and price.
Most study abroad projects include some sort of accommodation so you can stay with fellow students or at a home stay to ensure you are fully immersed in student and Hawaiian culture during your time away.
Visas
Next, you’ll need to look into visas for your trip, to ensure you are covered to study while staying in Hawaii. Generally speaking, if you are a US citizen you won’t need to apply for a student visa as your current residency in the US will cover you for that. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you will either need to apply for the F-1 or J-1 student visa. This can be done through the US Embassy in your home country. If you are member of any of the Visa Wavier Program countries you might also need an Esta.
Scholarships
Most study abroad trips to Hawaii involve a significant cost to cover accommodation, lectures, study materials etc. However, even if you don’t think you can afford the trip, you may be able to apply for a study abroad scholarship through opportunities like the Fulbright Scholarships and Gilman Scholarships. Alternatively, you may want to look to family, friends and the community to support you through local fund-raising events to enable you to undertake this amazing opportunity.
Resources
If you’re inspired to study abroad in Hawaii, check out the programme and course options below to give you an idea of what is out there.
Originally published at https://www.esta.uk.
