Mission

Students in University of Hawai‘i Mānoa Study Abroad Center Programs shall acquire knowledge through academic work in other countries and develop cross-cultural understanding through cultural immersion. Faculty in Study Abroad Programs shall have similar opportunities for research, professional development and teaching.

STUDY ABROAD CENTER

Internationalizing the curriculum and encouraging overseas academic experiences are fundamental objectives of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The Manoa Strategic Plan 2002-2010 calls for undergraduate educational effectiveness and continues to endorse study abroad as one the University’s strategic imperatives. Thus, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers:

  • curricula and programs that enable students to analyze, appreciate, comprehend, and interpret global circumstances;
  • an education that situates the United States as a part of the present global community;
  • opportunities that broaden perspectives, develop competencies and improve the students’ ability to make personal and public policy decisions as responsible citizens of an international society.

The Study Abroad Center, through its programs, fulfills its mission by enabling students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of other cultures and their environments. The sensitivities learned and perspectives gained in regard to other nations, the increased capacity to analyze issues with an appreciation for disparate viewpoints, the increased respect, and tolerance of differences–all contribute to a citizenry better able to succeed in the 21st century.

The Center is structured to appropriately respond to the changing general education and specific program needs of the Manoa campus relative to overseas offerings.

Study Abroad Programs have carefully identified academic objectives. These programs assist students in furthering or completing their degree requirements. A student wishing to participate in an overseas program should be able to graduate within the time frame allotted to her/his degree program. Since these study abroad programs are an integral part of a student’s academic program, courses completed overseas are designed to fulfill a student’s major, minor, certificate, core, foundations, diversification, language, or graduation requirements.

All Study Abroad courses are expected to meet current Mānoa academic standards and are articulated as Mānoa courses. Study Abroad coursework is completed overseas and is taught either by Mānoa faculty or by the faculty of an overseas institution of higher education. The Center is structured to appropriately respond to the changing general education and specific programmatic needs of the Mānoa campus relative to overseas offerings.

ROLE OF THE SAC COUNCIL

The Study Abroad Center has an Advisory Council made up of faculty members representing various colleges/departments of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Members of the Council are appointed by the Mānoa Faculty Senate Executive Committee. The Advisory Council is the Center’s policy-making body and is its curriculum committee. A key charge of the Advisory Council is to review and/or approve programs and faculty resident director appointments.