Expectations

This program is an immersive, field-intensive quarter-long experience. It is unlike other abroad programs. You will be living together, eating together, and spending almost all your time with trip participants. 

Housing

Housing is including in the program. Students live together in very close quarters. We stay in several different dorm-style accommodations. You will be expected to share a room with at least several other people and in one place we have around 8-10 people staying in larger rooms. There will be a mix of assigned roommates and self chosen roommates. Because of the limitations of the facilities we stay, there will be very little ability to provide alternative arrangements, but we will make every effort to accommodate documented accessibility needs.

Chores

There will be rotating chores that students must do. These include cooking dinner, cleaning, and other duties. There is no cooking or cleaning staff provided.

Food

Board is also included. This does not include meals that students choose to eat elsewhere. Typically students will use food provided by the program to make their own breakfasts and pack their own sack lunches, but dinner is usually eaten as a group. Dinners will either be catered or cooked by the students (as part of rotating chores). We will always do our best to accommodate for dietary restrictions, but in some locations this can be challenging. For example, there will always be options, but they may not be ideal.

Time off/Personal time

From feedback from previous students, this might be the most challenging part of the program. While students do usually have a day off every week, and often have time in the evenings, it can be difficult to find time to yourself. Because of where we stay, students need to coordinate the use of program vehicles, which are rarely available to be used alone. Students should be prepared to be flexible on personal time.

Daily Activities

Activities will include hiking, snorkeling, lots of data collection, farm work, landscaping, and digging. Almost everyday we will be outside doing some sort of physical activity. The weather in Hawaii is highly variable (hot and humid beaches to cold mountain tops), so students should be prepared for working in all conditions. Must be willing to work hard and get dirty!

Students with Documented Disabilities
Students who need an academic accommodation based on the impact of a disability must initiate the request with the Office of Accessible Education (OAE).  Professional staff will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend reasonable accommodations, and prepare an Accommodation Letter for faculty dated in the current quarter in which the request is being made. Students should contact the OAE as soon as possible since timely notice is needed to coordinate accommodations.  The OAE is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk (phone: 723-1066).