On Jan. 22, students explored global education opportunities without leaving the campus. The Study Abroad program hosted its annual fair at the Campus Center courtyard, giving students the opportunity to explore a wide range of international education programs. Students moved between booths representing countries such as South Korea, France, and Ireland, learning about opportunities to pursue their education abroad.

This annual fair has been conducted for 23 years, with the number of different programs increasing significantly each fair. 

Sunhee Kim Fujii, the academic and study abroad advisor in the College of Social Sciences, leads programs in cities including London, Seville, and Shanghai. According to Fujii, the fair is designed to inform students about upcoming opportunities and encourage them to attend information sessions. 

“We are hoping to spread the word about our summer, year-long, and fall programs. Students can still apply for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and year long programs in Japan,” Fujii said.

For many students, the Study Abroad Fair is not just about exploring destinations, but about taking the first step toward studying abroad. The event supports students who are still deciding whether the program is right for them and helps guide those who are unsure how to begin the process.

“It can take some time and research before students decide they want to apply for one of our programs,” Fujii said. “This particular event can spark interest in students, and students can talk directly with former students and former/current Faculty Resident Directors about their experiences abroad on our programs.”

Amber McClure, a PhD student in American studies and museum studies, had the opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo and London as an undergraduate. However, when she entered graduate school, she was initially unsure about whether graduate students could participate in the program. 

“One day last spring semester I just happened to walk past the Study Abroad Fair,” McClure said. “I asked the Study Abroad Center if graduate students could participate, and was really excited to find out that it is possible, you just have to make sure the credits you potentially earn abroad meet the requirements of your program.”

McClure decided to study in Dublin for one month during the summer of 2025. McClure said she was especially excited to go to Ireland because of her academic field in museum studies. She also wanted to learn and experience more about her Irish culture. 

“I’m very interested in Ireland as a country that experienced occupation for hundreds of years and has experienced independence again for just over 100 years,” McClure said. “I’m interested in the similarities between Ireland and Hawaiʻi, and I’m also Irish on my dad’s side of the family, so I wanted to learn more about where my ancestors came from.”

One factor that made this year’s Study Abroad Fair unique was the presence of a representative traveling from one of UH Mānoa’s partner institutions in Australia, Flinders University. 

“Dr. Laura Lesar is a UHM alumna who traveled here from Adelaide, Australia to promote our Adelaide program,” Fujii said. 

The fair demonstrated that studying abroad is accessible to students across a wide range of majors and academic paths. Coordinators emphasized that many of the programs are designed to fit within students’ degree requirements rather than delay their progress toward graduation.

“Many of our programs offer a wide curriculum where students can take courses that will count toward their major or General Education requirements,” Fujii said. 

It also addressed concerns about affordability, a common hesitation among students considering studying abroad. Coordinators explained that financial resources are available to help make participation more realistic for students.

“UHM financial aid is available for UHM students, and all UHM scholarships can apply toward the cost of our programs,” Fujii said. “There are also specific scholarships, such as the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship, as well as internal scholarships offered by our center for students participating in our programs.”

McClure described her study abroad experience in Dublin as both immersive and academically meaningful. She said that living abroad allowed her to fully engage with daily life in a new environment rather than experiencing the country solely as a visitor.

“Traveling abroad is always exciting for me, but this experience felt especially immersive because I was living in a new city and doing everyday life things, grocery shopping, getting to class on time, living in a dorm, cooking my own food, doing laundry, etc.,” McClure said. 

She added that the supportive structure of the program contributed to a positive experience. 

“Our small group from UH, including an advisor and students in different programs, occasionally met up to do fun activities like going to dinner or taking a dance class together,” she said. “I thankfully didn’t have many challenging experiences that I can recall. My program advisors and the staff on campus were all really supportive.”

McClure also noted that the coursework was closely connected to cultural learning outside the classroom. 

“The courses I took in the Irish Studies program were really interesting and interactive, and we went on a lot of field trips to cultural institutions, memorial sites, museums, archives, and libraries,” McClure said. “Dublin is such an interesting and friendly city, rich with culture and a fascinating mix of people and history. I learned so much about Irish history and was especially inspired by their efforts to revitalize Irish language and culture.” 

She explained that the experience continued to shape her academic perspective after returning home. 

“What I learned there has had a lasting impact on how I think about collective memory and how we can approach and negotiate difficult histories,” she said.

McClure encouraged students considering this opportunity to reflect on how a program might fit their goals. 

“For students who are unsure about studying abroad, I highly recommend learning as much as you can about the program and asking yourself whether it feels like the right fit for you,” McClure said. “Could this be a way to earn required credits in a new environment? Could this be a way to learn a new language and travel to a place you’ve always wanted to visit?” 

McClure added that shorter programs can be a good option for hesitant students. 

“If you’re nervous about being away for a long time, a one-month summer program like this one is a great option,” she said. “Honestly, if I could do it again, I would definitely go back. I feel like there’s still so much left for me to learn.”