Office of Global Engagement
The Office of Global Engagement at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu offers global learning opportunities and cultural activities to enrolled UH West Oʻahu students. Our international programs and learning opportunities vary from short to long term durations that allow UH West Oʻahu students to study and earn credits in a variety of countries, most currently, Japan and South Korea to experience new cultures, learn languages, create life-long partnerships, and develop global competency that will supplement in the student’s field of study.

Partnership
The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu is proud to work with higher education institutions all over the world to connect the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu community with the globe. The Office of Global Engagement assists in expanding and maintaining our university’s partnerships around the world, with an emphasis on Asia and Europe.
Short Term Programs
The Office of Global Engagement currently offers International Short-Term programs and professional development programs to students from multiple international universities. Our visiting international students are able to connect and participate with UH West Oʻahu students in various intercultural activities in and outside of the classroom.
The objective of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu (UHWO) International Short Term Programs is to expand the International relationship between UH West O‘ahu and Universities abroad. The recommended students of said Universities will study the English Language, Hawaiian & American culture, participate in various activities, and engage in other customized lessons for 1-4 weeks. We look forward to contributing to the development of the University’s international programs, and further the understanding of Hawaii and the English language.
Study Abroad

The office is currently offering to send students to study abroad where they can experience living and studying in other countries. Similarly to our short-term programs, our goal is to strengthen our relationships with Universities abroad but also give our students the opportunity to experience education in a new environment.
Study abroad students will participate in cultural and language classes, and other fun activities planned by our partner schools! Some of these activities can include field trips and tours!
Destinations
Sapporo, Japan
- Study in Japan at Tokai University Sapporo! Students are able to study the Japanese language and culture on a 5-week summer program.
- This program is open to all majors at UHWO but is ideal for students who wish to learn more about the Japanese language and culture!
- No prior Japanese language experience is required for this program!
- Studying abroad on this program will fulfill the Field Experience requirement for the Asian Studies Certificate.
- Courses from this program will appear on the UHWO transcript as UHWO credits.
- Program dates: 2025 Summer Program: June 16th to July 18th, 2025
Fukuoka, Japan
- Study in Japan at Kyushu Sangyo University! Students are able to study the Japanese language and culture on a 2-week summer program.
- This program is open to all majors at UHWO but is ideal for students who wish to learn more about the Japanese language and culture!
- No prior Japanese language experience is required for this program!
- Studying abroad on this program will fulfill the Field Experience requirement for the Asian Studies Certificate.
- Program date: 2025 Summer Program: May 26th to June 7th, 2025
Seoul, South Korea
- Study in South Korea at Eulji University! Students are able to study the Korean language and culture on a semester-long program.
- This program is open to all majors at UHWO but is ideal for students who wish to learn more about the Korean language and culture!
- Studying abroad on this program will fulfill the Field Experience requirement for the Asian Studies Certificate.
- Courses from this program will appear on UHWO transcript as UHWO credits.
- Program date: March 4th to June 13th, 2025
Photo Albums
Click on the links below to check out pictures from these study abroad programs!
Study Abroad FAQs
- 3.0 GPA or higher (GPA lower than 3.0 to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
- Have 24 academic credits or more (Sophomore Year Credit Equivalent or higher)
- No outstanding academic record (no academic holds)
- Valid Passport
- Must be a UHWO student
- Start the application process by filling out the Study Abroad application form for the program you want to apply for:
- Send an email to uhwointl@hawaii.edu and we will send you the study abroad application form that you want to apply to.
- Submit the following to uhwointl@hawaii.edu via UH Fileshare:
- Completed Study Abroad Application
- Unofficial Academic Transcript (STAR)
- Personal Statement/Cover Letter stating why you want to study abroad (500 words or more)
- Letter of Recommendation (Optional)
- Kyushu Sangyo University (Japan):
- Summer 2025 Program: March 14th, 2025
- Tokai University Sapporo (Japan):
- Summer 2025 Program: March 21st, 2025
- Eulji University (South Korea):
- Spring 2025 Semester Program: December 10th, 2024
If your record states that you will have 24 academic credits on your transcript by the time you leave to study abroad, you will be eligible to apply.
No, you will not be able to take UHWO classes (in-person or online) if you are selected for our study abroad programs.
Be aware that some of our study abroad programs (ex. Fall Tokai Sapporo & Eulji University study abroad programs) will require you to take a leave-of-absence from UHWO which will affect your estimated graduation date (expect a delay by 1 academic semester).
No, these study abroad programs are not eligible for financial aid assistance from Pell Grants or VA-affiliated financial aid (Ex. GI Bill). Study abroad programs are to be paid for out-of-pocket.
Students will pay the host university directly via money wire transfer. Details on how to send money to the host university are given to applicants after being accepted into the program. Study Abroad applicants will be informed of other instructions (on how to pay for study abroad program) depending on the program in question as needed.
Our office is only responsible for identifying UHWO students who want to join our partner university’s study abroad program(s) and guiding our students through the application process.
Accommodation: Accommodation fees vary depending on the host university’s program. You can email our office (uhwointl@hawaii.edu) for more information.
Flights: No, the student is expected to pay for their own travel to their study abroad destination.
Food: No, the student is expected to pay for their own food. Host universities do offer meal plans or other options for food for students.
Applying for a student visa is dependent on how long the program lasts at our partner universities:
- Tokai University Sapporo (Japan): Visa is not necessary as students will be able to enter Japan visa-free (can be in the country for up to 90 days upon arrival).
- Eulji University (South Korea): Students will need to apply for a student visa at the South Korean Consulate as their program will last beyond the 90 day visa-free period. Information on how to apply will be provided to students after being selected for the program.
Yes, it is a requirement for all UHWO study abroad students to acquire Travel/International Health Insurance before leaving for their respective study abroad program.
It will be the student’s responsibility to look into & acquire Travel & Health Insurance for their study abroad experience.
It is not a requirement as it will be the student’s responsibility to book their own travel plans. Students are more than welcome to book their flights together if that is their preference.
It is expected that the student will arrive at the host university on the set date that they want everyone to report for the study abroad program.
Kyushu Sangyo University (Japan):
- Summer Program: No prior Japanese language experience required to
apply.
Tokai University Sapporo (Japan):
- Summer Program: No prior Japanese language experience required to
apply.
Eulji University (South Korea):
- Semester Program: No prior Korean language requirement to apply.
Students are welcome to apply for multiple programs as long as the applications are submitted before the designated deadline. Students should be aware that they may need to choose one (1) study abroad program to participate in should they be accepted to multiple study abroad programs that overlap each other. Students will also be required to pay tuition (and any additional financial cost) for each individual study abroad program should they decide to attend multiple study abroad programs.
Student Exchange
Our Exchange programs involve sending UH West Oʻahu students to partner institutions abroad, and in exchange, UH West Oʻahu will accept students from our partner institutions. Typically, students will study at our partner universities for one semester and learn about that country’s culture and language. Currently, we are offering Exchange Programs with the partner institutions in Korea and Japan. Also, we are in the process of creating more programs in Europe and the Philippines.
Student Exchange FAQs
Fulfill Student Exchange Requirements:
- 3.0 GPA or higher (GPA lower than 3.0 to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
- Have 24 academic credits or more (Sophomore Year Credit Equivalent or higher)
- No outstanding academic record (no academic holds)
- Valid Passport
- Must be a UHWO student
Apply for Student Exchange:
- Start the application process by filling out the Student Exchange application form for the program you want to apply for:
- Send an email to uhwointl@hawaii.edu and we will send you the Student Exchange application form that you want to apply to.
- Submit the following to uhwointl@hawaii.edu via UH Fileshare:
- Completed Study Abroad Application
- Unofficial Academic Transcript (STAR)
- Personal Statement/Cover Letter stating why you want to study abroad (500 words or more)
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
Student Exchange Programs are semester-long programs where UH West O‘ahu students can take classes at a university overseas. Students will pay tuition and student fees to UH West O‘ahu based on their residency status (Resident, Non-resident, WUE) for their student exchange program. Study Abroad students pay any tuition and accommodation fees directly to our partner institution.
No, Student Exchange students will take classes at our overseas partner institution. UH West O‘ahu students will be able to transfer academic credits they earn overseas after their semester abroad. Academic credit abroad will appear as transfer credits on your academic transcript.
Students will pay UH West O‘ahu directly via STAR. You will enroll into a special class at UH West O‘ahu specifically for Student Exchange. Our office is only responsible for identifying UH West O‘ahu students who want to join our partner university’s Student Exchange Program(s) and guiding our students through the application process.
Yes, Student Exchange Programs are eligible for financial aid assistance (loans, grants, and scholarships). Remember that even though you are taking classes at a UH West O‘ahu partner university overseas, you are still a UH West O‘ahu student. If you complete the FAFSA and qualify, we will inform our financial aid office about your overseas living and travel expenses when awarding your grants and loans.
- Accommodation: Accommodation fees vary depending on the host university’s program. You can email our office (uhwointl@hawaii.edu) for more information.
- Flights: No, the student is expected to pay for their own travel to their Study Abroad destination.
- Food: No, the student is expected to pay for their own food. Host universities do offer meal plans or other options for food for students.
Yes, you will need to apply for a student visa for Student Exchange programs. Information regarding how to apply for a student visa will be provided to UH West O‘ahu students after they are selected as exchange students.
Yes, it is a requirement for all UHWO study abroad students to acquire Travel/International Health Insurance before leaving for their respective study abroad program.
It will be the student’s responsibility to look into & acquire Travel & Health Insurance for their study abroad experience.
- It is not a requirement as it will be the student’s responsibility to book their own travel plans. Students are more than welcome to book their flights together if that is their preference.
- It is expected that the student will arrive at the host university on the set date that they want everyone to report for the Student Exchange Program.
- Our overseas universities will offer classes conducted in English for UH West O‘ahu Student Exchange students to choose from.
- Depending on our overseas university partner, some of their classes do require a language requirement. More information will be provided to prospective UHWO Student Exchange students after being selected by the Office of Global Engagement.
2+2 Transfer & Articulation Program
Our 2+2 Transfer & Articulation program is a degree pathway program where students can study for two years at their home university, and two years here at UH West Oahu.
International Social Club
Our office works closely with the International Social Club when planning activities for our short-term programs. Students in the International Social Club are able to volunteer to participate in activities within our short-term programs. Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet students from other countries like Korea and Japan and make friends from both countries and other students within the UH system.
If you would like to join or learn more about ISC, you can email them at isclub@hawaii.edu.
Office of Global Engagement
Phone: (808) 689-2311
Email: uhwointl@hawaii.edu
Room: D107