Students will be hosted by the Universite de la Polynesie Francaises(UPF) for the first two weeks of the program.  Established in 1987, UPF derived its present name in 1999.  The education system is French-based and provides undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees.  The Outumaoro campus of UPF is a vibrant intellectual, research and international activities center, and is located in Tahiti, the main island of French Polynesia.  Extending over a 10-hectare area, the campus overlooks the communities of Puna'auia and Faa'a, and contains the library, student dorm, student cafeterias, and a sports center.

PROGRAM COORDINATION
The program will consist of two periods of two weeks each.  The first port of the program will be based in Tahiti at the Universite de la Polynesie Francaise.  Students will complete the Polynesian Life & Culture course during this time and begin coursework for the Resident Director's class.  Students will also receive intensive orientation and instruction in preparation for boarding the Aranui, a passenger and goods transport vessel.  During the second half of the program, students will sail from Tahiti to the Tuamotu and the Marquesas islands, while continuing the Resident Director's class on-board and at specific land locations.