Your study abroad semester
IN PARADISE
Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU) is the largest private, non-profit university in the state of Hawai’i, USA. Our
campuses in downtown Honolulu and at the foot of the Ko‘olau Mountains on the windward side of the island of O’ahu enable students to enjoy the best of both worlds - a vibrant, international city and a stunningly-beautiful, tropical setting. And with students and faculty from around the world—we’re the most culturally-rich, private university in the US. Fusing this unmatched cultural diversity with personal support, HPU enables students to get up-close and personal with the subjects they’re most passionate about. At HPU, we offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and study abroad programs that shine a spotlight on our Hawaiian cultural traditions, natural surroundings and wonderous spirit of aloha. The hands-on learning approach in combination with small class sizes, international classroom and an inspiring teaching faculty, all that combined is what really makes HPU a one-of-a-kind destination for studying abroad in the US.
STUDY ABROAD (VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM) The Study Abroad/Visiting Student Program is open to international students who want to study one or two semesters at HPU. Students can enroll in a combination of courses on the Bachelor’s and Master’s level and earn transferable academic credits (ECTS) towards their degree at their home university. Exchange Students on the other hand are formally nominated by our Exchange Partner University listed on hpu.edu/study-abroad. Don’t worry if your university is not on the list. All international students are eligible for our visiting student scholarships. Reach out to our admission team at visiting@hpu.edu to find out more.
UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSES You can choose from nearly 400 courses in 30 different fields such as International Business, Management, Finance, Economics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Communication, Marketing, Political Science, Applied Linguistics, Health, Psychology, Social Work, Biology, Math, Marine Science, Chemistry, Environmental Studies and more. Some of the unique courses that are offered at HPU are Contemporary Social Activism in Hawaii, Cultural Anthropology, Arts of Oceania, Hawaiian Language, Hula Performance, Hawaiian Natural History, etc. For the full list check out visithpu.com.
Aloha Tower Marketplace - anchor of HPU’s centralized, urban campus
LIFE IN HAWAIʻI
Whether it is surfing in the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean or hiking in verdant rainforests on any of Hawaiʻi’s eight islands, encounters with nature are ingrained with the traditional Hawaiian value of aloha ʻaina – love and respect for the land. Hawaiʻi proudly maintains its own special identity at the crossroads of the Pacific. Ukulele, hula, shave ice, aloha shirts are just a few examples of everyday life on the island. The temperature here ranges between 20-27 Celsius all year round which makes it perfect for outdoor activities. Sunrise from atop Koko Head, hiking through the Koʻolau mountain range, swimming in Haleiwa, or surfing at the North Shore. Getting around the island of O’ahu is easy and stress-free. The full loop of the island can be driven in about 4 hours, giving you access to some of the world’s most wonderous natural sites.
OUR FAVORITE SPOTS AROUND THE ISLAND OF OʻAHU
Hiking – Diamond Head Trail, Manoa Falls Trail, Koko Head Trail, Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail Beaches – Lanikai Beach, Kailua Beach, Waimanalo Beach, Waikiki Beach, Sunset Beach Millions of tourists visit Hawaiʻi every year to marvel at its beauty. The island is full of life and events. Some of Hawaiʻi’s unique events are the Vans Triple Crown, King Kamehameha Day, Honolulu Festival and the Aloha Festival.
ADMISSIONS 1. Academic transcripts Transcripts should list all courses taken in university and should include grades/scores for each subject in native language and English translation. 2. English language proficiency We accept IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, CEFR and other English language test results.
APPLICATION STEPS Step 1. Submit an online visiting student application at hpu.edu/apply Step 2. Connect with the international admissions team at visiting@hpu.edu and provide copies of your required admission documents. If your application is successful, you will receive an admission decision within a week. Step 3. Submit a copy of your passport and financial documents and start the visa application process. Step 4. Submit health clearance form and start the course registration process. For a list of admission requirements and application steps, go to visithpu.com.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS There are no set deadlines for admissions at HPU. However, we do recommend that international students apply for the Fall semester by July 15, and for the Spring entry term by December 1. This allows adequate time for students to register for classes, find housing, and arrange their visas.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR The academic year consists of two 16-week semesters – a Fall semester commencing mid-August and ending in December, and a Spring semester starting in mid-January and ending in May. You can view this year’s semester dates on hpu.edu/academiccalendar.
HPU’s Oceanic Institute
STUDENT LIFE
STUDENT HOUSING
Student activities are an essential part of enriching campus life at HPU. We offer entertaining and educational co-curricular activities and programs that help students to get involved and meet each other. You can choose from over 50+ clubs,organizations and programs to take part in.
The Waterfront Lofts are our on-campus residential housing which is located on the second and third floor at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Living at the Lofts means easy access to many amenities, restaurants, and activities. For fees and move-in dates visit hpu.edu/residence-life/rates.html.
One of the favorite programs among our international students is the ‘Hawai’i Spotlight’ program which provides opportunities to explore different parts of the island and learn about the Hawaiian culture and the community we live in. hpu.edu/student-activities
The island of O’ahu also offers many different living arrangements off-campus – from the fast-paced city lifestyle of Honolulu to the quiet beach town of Kailua. We have shared tips on where to look for housing at hpu.edu/off-campus-housing.
ORIENTATION Fall New Student Orientation is a program filled with information sessions and activities to introduce you to the HPU campus and culture, help you navigate your time at the university, and connect you with other entering students. You will learn about the many campus resources to help you succeed and meet students from all over the world. hpu.edu/orientation
STUDENT WHO INSPIRE US “My semester at HPU was the best experience of my life, no doubt. I got to meet so many great people, in the most beautiful place on this planet. Hawai’i has so much to offer, like countless hikes, breathtaking sunsets, pearly white beaches, amazing sea life, and sun, but most importantly so many warm hearts. I have yet to visit a place with a friendlier culture than in Hawai’i. To get to study in such a place is nothing but a blessing. Hawai’i is the most dangerous place to visit, because it is the one place you never want to leave.’’ Maria Senhaji Andersen, Fall 2018 Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway More student experiences and stories can be found on hpu.edu/visiting-stories.
International Student Spotlight: Kristine Wik
This is Hawaii Pacific University
CONNECT WITH US Meet members of our admissions team, and other prospective students. This is your opportunity to ask the questions that matter to you most about HPU. Click here for our virtual information sessions. visiting@hpu.edu
Schedule a call with an admissions counselor on hpu.edu/international
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