Visiting International Students
The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa is fortunate to have current degree seeking students from many international countries. Also each summer visiting students from Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and many other world regions join the campus at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UHM). Many find our summer sessions an ideal learning opportunity as they experience American education and culture in a tropical, cosmopolitan setting.
- Summer International Students
- Application Requirements
- Visa & I-20 Information
- Health Insurance
- Housing
- Other International Programs
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Sessions 2008: www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer |
New Students for Fall 2008
If you have been accepted for admission to UHM for Fall 2008, you are not a current student for the summer. Complete and submit an Outreach College Application Form for summer admission.
Visiting International Students
Apply First, Then Register for Summer Sessions. If you would like to attend Summer credit courses at UH Manoa: submit an application/residency form:
- by fax or mail;
- if needed, request an I-20. For instructions see Visa/I-20 information below;
- applicants whose native language is not English need to submit additional documents. See Special Application Requirements below;
- wait to receive an email or mail notification of acceptance;
- once admitted, register for courses online.
Special Application Requirements
If English is not your native language and you have never attended a regular term (fall or spring) at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, we evaluate your English skills before you are admitted. Please send a document to Outreach College Student Services that verifies one of the following.
- Submit test scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a composite score of 500+ (paper-based), 61+ (internet), or 173+ (computer-based) taken within the last two years.
To learn about on-campus TOEFL testing opportunities contact the UH-Manoa Testing office at (808) 956-3454. For up-to-date world-wide TOEFL testing information, view the TOEFL website; call: (609) 771-7100; fax: (609) 771-7500; email: toefl@ets.org; or write to: TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. - Submit test scores for the UH Manoa English Language Institute (ELI) placement examination indicating that you qualified for enrollment.
- Submit other documentation and request waiver of the English Language requirement:
- a score of 460 or higher on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
- a score of 510 or higher on the Critical Reading AND Writing sections of the SAT exam;
- a college or university transcript(s) showing you have completed 60 transferable semester credits with a GPA of 2.0+ from a university whose academic standing is recognized by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and where English is the primary language of instruction;
- a transcript(s) showing you completed 6 years of full-time schooling with English as the medium of instruction at a middle school, high school, college, or university in Australia, Britain, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand or the United States;
- a college or university transcript or diploma indicating you have a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited university in the U.S. or a recognized university in Australia, Britain, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, or New Zealand.
Send the appropriate document(s) with your application form. If this is not possible, send transcripts or grade reports separately as needed to:
Outreach College Student Services
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
2440 Campus Rd, Box 447
Honolulu, HI 96822
View more Contact Information.
Important Visa and I-20 Information
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy in your country for visa information. The U.S. Embassy will have the most current information available. They will advise you of the proper documents needed to travel to Hawai‘i.
I-20
To obtain an F-1 visa, you must first be issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20) from the University of Hawai‘i, Outreach College.
Due to the length of time needed by the U.S. Embassy to process visa requests and regulations unique for each country, we strongly recommend that you request an I-20 no later than 2 months prior to the date the academic term begins.
Example: For Summer courses that begin in May, contact us for an I-20 no later than March 1. For some countries requests for an I-20 less than four months in advance may result in your visa being denied.
Notify Outreach College that you need an I-20 by writing "Need I-20" under "List Visa Type" on our application form or calling 1-800-862-6628, (808) 956-7221 or emailing us at ochelp@hawaii.edu. An Outreach College I-20 Request pdf form will be emailed to you.
We will process and issue an I-20 if you have been accepted for admission and you have submitted your Outreach College I-20 request form, bank statement, passport and MMR immunization. See a summary list of information needed below:
- Outreach College I-20 Request Form – Provide completed form with other documents on this list.
- Bank statement – Provide a copy of your bank statement indicating sufficient funds to study at UHM. Please have your bank statement translated into English.
- Students must have at least the cost of tuition plus $1000 (U.S. dollars) per month for living expenses.
- Your bank statement must be dated within 6 months of the start of the session you intend to enroll in.
- Valid passport – Provide a copy of your passport. If you already have a valid visa, provide a copy as well.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization record – Two doses of live measles vaccine are required, with at least one of the two being an MMR vaccine. First dose must have been given after January 1, 1968 and on or after first birthday. A second dose must have been given at least 4 weeks after the first dose. MMR immunization may be waived if:
- Student was born before 1957, or;
- Serologic evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
- Full-time status – Undergraduate students must be registered for a minimum of six (6) credit hours and Graduate students must be registered for a minimum of four (4) credit hours per summer session. Only full-time students are eligible to obtain an I-20.
We understand that you are being required to provide a great deal of information; therefore we ask you to submit your documentation in a timely manner. We will make every effort to process your I-20 request as soon as possible. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
By phone: 1-800-862-6628 or (808) 956-7221
By email: ochelp@hawaii.edu
By fax: (808) 956-3752
By US Postal Service Mail:
Outreach College
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
2440 Campus Road, Box 447
Honolulu, HI 96822
By Express Mail (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.):
Outreach College
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
2500 Dole Street
Krauss Hall 101
Honolulu, HI 96822
For more information about obtaining an I-20 to attend University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Summer Sessions or UH Manoa Outreach College fall or spring extension terms, contact our visa specialist:
Ms. Lisa Nakandakari
(808) 956-7753
nakandak@hawaii.edu or ochelp@hawaii.edu
Health Insurance
In addition to obtaining an appropriate visa, the University of Hawai‘i requires all non-immigrant students to have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of their study here. Health care is very expensive in the U.S. and a hospital stay of even a day or two may cost thousands of dollars. If you are interested in purchasing UH-sponsored medical insurance or for more information on UHM's medical insurance requirement, visit the International Student Services Office (ISS) web page.
Housing on-campus or off-campus
Some on-campus dorm rooms and a limited number of apartments are available for students registered for credit or noncredit courses. View the UHM Housing web page for information about housing, meal plans, and other campus services.
If you choose to live off-campus, visit the off-campus housing referral service, for links to O‘ahu Hostels, Rental links, and other off-campus accommodations
Other Programs for International Students
While most international students select from our over 1,200 credit courses, UHM Summer Sessions offers noncredit classes as well, including numerous popular English programs for international participants.
If you are a student from a country outside of the United States, connect to the following links for information about:
Noncredit English Language Programs
English programs for international participants.
International Bridge Program
For credit students needing assistance meeting formal academic requirements for entry into graduate programs in the United States.