Quick Facts

  • During the 2021-2022 academic year, a total of 239 students studied abroad of whom 33 students enrolled in online. SAC continued to offer its programs throughout the 22-23 academic year. Cancellations occurred in countries where the borders were closed e.g. Australia and China. 
  • The Council on Study Abroad, which is the policy-making body and the curriculum committee of UHM Study Abroad Center, appointed a total of 18 instructional and research faculty to teach and/or conduct research abroad for Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022. These faculty members represent the following academic schools/departments: Architecture, Asian Studies, EALL, English, Geography, Health Sciences, Honors Program, Language & Literature of Europe and the Americas – French, Manoa Advising Center, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology, Physics, Public Health Science, Shidler College of Business.
  •  Four of the faculty members who were appointed for Summer 2021 programs have transferred their appointments to Summer 2022.
  • UHMSAC programs are distinguished by its ability to: a) include all interested faculty members from the campus to teach and/or lead study abroad programs, b) provide the opportunity for faculty to continue teaching while overseas without jeopardizing their benefits, tenure, promotion, and retirement schemes, c) enable faculty to teach classes in SAC programs that count as part of their regular teaching responsibilities, and d) provide an environment for research and professional development without burdening faculty with administrative and logistical responsibilities.
  • Each Fall term, returning Study Abroad Faculty Resident Directors present their research and/or scholarly works to the University community. These research projects may not be complete, but their appointment through UHMSAC has facilitated initiation and/or continuation of their research overseas.
  • UHMSAC is distinctive, in that it does not use third-party providers; rather, UHMSAC develops its own programs in partnership with overseas institutions of higher education.
  • UHMSAC students earn UHM resident credits for their coursework completed overseas. There is no break in enrollment at UHM. Students are therefore able to graduate on schedule.
  • Students may fulfill general education, major and elective requirements for graduation on UHMSAC programs. UHMSAC courses may also be used for “focus exemption.”
  • Eligible students may apply their financial aid and scholarship awards towards UHMSAC study abroad programs.
  • In addition to current UHMSAC programs, UHM students may choose to design an independent, self-designed study abroad program almost anywhere in the world.
  • A faculty review panel selects students based on their GPA (3.0), academic reference letters, and program study statement.
  • Both students and faculty receive 12 hours of pre-departure cross-cultural sensitivity and academic training. In addition, the standard of care includes providing training/workshops to program faculty resident directors in risk management areas such as health, safety, risk and liability, crises, and emergency procedures and protocols.
  • UHMSAC develops programs to respond to changing needs and are constantly updating program locations and curriculum based on demand. Past programs include: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cook Islands; French Polynesia; Indonesia; Kenya; Mongolia; Philippines; Thailand; Tonga; and Vietnam.