Facts about the Study Abroad Center

  • The UHM SAC offers summer, semester, and year long programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Pacific, and South America. During the 2007-2008 academic year, 462 students studied abroad and enrolled in 344 courses.  Twenty-five of these courses were taught by 8 UHM faculty members in semester/year long programs and 5 faculty in summer programs.  A total of  22 instructional faculty taught and/or conducted research abroad through the UHM Study Abroad Center.

  • An advisory council appointed by the UHM Faculty Senate Executive Committee provides oversight and guidance with regard to key policy, curricula and governance issues.

  • UHM SAC 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) teaching classes in SAC programs count as part of the faculty's regular teaching responsibilities, and d) provide an environment for research and professional development without burdening faculty with administrative and logistical responsibilities.

  • SAC is distinctive in that it does not use third-party providers. Rather, UHM SAC develops its own programs in partnership with overseas institutions of higher education.

  • UHM SAC students earn UHM resident credits for their coursework completed overseas. There is no break in enrollment at UHM. Therefore students are able to graduate on schedule.

  • Students may fulfill general education, major and elective requirements for graduation on UHM SAC programs. SAC courses may also be used for "focus exemption."

  • Eligible students may apply their financial aid and scholarship awards towards UHM study abroad programs.

  • In addition to current SAC programs, UHM students may choose to design an independent, self-designed study abroad program anywhere in the world.

  • A faculty review panel selects students based on their GPA (3.0), 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.

  • SAC develops programs to respond to changing needs and discontinues programs that are no longer viable. Discontinued programs include: Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, Tonga, and Vietnam.