1. Forms

A. Applications

1. UH and Non-UH Students – Online

Use our online application to apply for any of the Study Abroad Center’s semester, year, and summer programs! UH students may use their UH login to apply. Any student not part of the UH system are still welcome to apply by creating a Guest account. The application process is the same for both UH and Non-UH students!

The online application is a hub for all of your application information. With it, you can request confidential references and student progress reports, see when they have been submitted, and pay for your application fee.

• Apply for Study Abroad Now!
• Read more about how to use our online application.

2. Independent/Self-Design Students – Hard copy PDFs

For any student creating their own (semester-long) independent or self-design study abroad program: Please download, fill out, and print (on single-sided sheets) the appropriate application forms below.

B. Program of Study Statement

All applicants must write a 500-word essay detailing your objectives for the study abroad program. Online applicants can type in their essay directly on their application. Applicants completing a hard copy can attach their essay to the application form.

Essay Prompt: Write a concise, 500-word essay of your proposed study abroad program and how it relates to your present academic program. Discuss the classes you wish to take. Describe also the personal benefits you expect to receive from the program. Discuss how aspects of the particular program apply directly to your personal, academic and professional goals. What specific features of the program appeal to you? If there is anything on your transcript(s) you need to explain (poor grades, withdrawals, leaves of absence, etc.), please do so.

C. Academic Confidential Reference Forms

1. Filling out the Reference Forms

Online: The online application has a feature, a “New Request” button, where you can send an email request to the teacher/employer writing your reference. A New Request will send an auto-generated email to the person writing your reference with a link for them to submit the reference online. Your application will show if/when that person submits their reference, or you can send them an email reminder through the application. As a courtesy, we strongly recommend speaking with your instructor/employer first about writing you a reference before sending them the request.

Hard copy: Please make sure that you have filled out your name, email address, the program location and the term you are applying for in the box on the top right corner of the form before asking your teacher/employer to write a reference for you. This ensures that we will be able to match your application with your reference forms, should they be submitted separately. Hard-copy letters of recommendation must be accompanied by UHMSAC reference forms.

Note: By signing the waiver statement, you waive your right to review what your referee writes about you.

2. Types of references ^{(revised, 2/27/14)}

Academic references must be completed by your past or current University/College course instructors who have provided or will provide you with a grade.

3. Required number of references ^{(revised, 2/27/14)}

• Semester/Year programs: Three (3) academic references OR two (2) academic references + one (1) employer or supervisor
• Summer programs: Two (2) academic references

Repeat Study Abroad Center applicants:

• Students who have already successfully completed a UHMSAC program and are applying for another program or term need only one (1) reference form filled out by their former faculty Resident Director and/or equivalent academic personnel.
• Students who studied abroad independently and did not report to an on-site academic personnel must submit three (3) academic references OR two (2) academic references + one (1) employment supervisor.
• Students who only participated in a Faculty-Sponsored Study Tour (FaSST) program are not considered “repeat” applicants and must turn in the required number of reference letters for their desired SAC program.

Online: There is a checkbox to indicate whether you are a repeat applicant in the Confidential Academic Reference section. Please include the country/program you studied in and when. Example: “Paris, France in Fall 2018”

Hard copy: Indicate in #20 of the application form or directly to the Study Abroad Center if you are a repeat applicant. Please include the country/program you studied in and when. Example: “Paris, France in Fall 2018”

4. Student Progress Report ^(1/6/17)

In addition to the Reference Forms, college freshman must have a Student Progress Report completed by each of their current instructors at the time of the application deadline. For example, Student Progress Reports for a summer program (application due in February) must come from Spring instructors.

5. Submission of Reference Forms and Progress Reports

Reference forms and letters may be submitted to the Study Abroad Center by the following methods:

• Through the Online Application (preferred)
• United States Postal Services
• Campus Mail Services
• Personal delivery – by evaluator, by student assistant, or by applicant (the reference form and letter must arrive in a sealed envelope)
• Faxed to 808.956.9319, and follow-up with original copies of all forms and letters

Reference forms must be received by the Study Abroad Center by 4:00 pm HST on the specified deadline; therefore, please allow ample delivery time.

D. Transcripts

• Transcripts are not required for UH-system students.
• First-year college students require a high school transcript.
• Transfer students with records that do not appear on their STAR report require a transcript from former institutions.
• Students from non UH-System schools must submit a transcript from all institutions attended.

Transcripts should be mailed directly from the school to the Study Abroad Center. Please indicate the intended Study Abroad program location on the transcript and/or transcript request form.

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Study Abroad Center
1890 East-West Road, Moore 115
Honolulu, HI 96822

E. Visa status (non-U.S. citizens only)

Submit a copy of the document that allows you to legally study/live in the U.S.: DS 2019 (J-1 visa holders), I-20 (F-1 visa holders) or Alien Registration Card (permanent residents).