Quick Facts

  • During the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of 409 students studied abroad of whom 4 students enrolled in online classes overseas. 
  • The Council on Study Abroad, which is the policy-making body and the curriculum committee of UHM Study Abroad Center, appointed a total of 20 instructional and research faculty to teach and/or conduct research abroad for Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023. These faculty members represent the following academic schools/departments: Asian Studies, Communications, Geography and Environment, History, Indo-Pacific Languages & Literatures, Information and Computer Sciences, Institute for Teacher Education,  Language & Literature of Europe and the Americas – French, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, Theatre and Dance, and Tropical Medicine.
  • Faculty Sponsored Study Tours (FaSST) is another aspect of Study Abroad programming. Unlike established SAC programs, these individual faculty-sponsored study tours are faculty initiatives and may vary from year to year. FaSST is essentially niche programming and represents joint faculty and student interests. Study tours or overseas activities as part of or in addition to their course offerings are offered during the academic year (semester, Winter Break, Spring Recess, and/or summer). This academic year programs were undertaken by faculty from Architecture; Center for Japanese Studies; East Asian Languages and Literatures; Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas; Plant and Environment Protection Science; Social Sciences; and School of Teacher Education.
  • 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.