StudyUSA is taking applications until Sept. 30 for students who want to take classes in Honolulu, Hawaii for Wintersession.
Professors Erik Hom and Renee Cunningham plan on leading the intersession class this upcoming January.
“Whether a UM student is planning to work as a teacher in grades kindergarten through high school, a scientist, a museum curator or even to just be an educated citizen, students will participate in many hands-on experiences that will build an understanding for a lifetime,” Cunningham said.
Biology, pharmacy, chemistry, science and education majors can look into participating in the three-credit course, which includes BISC 380, EDUC 555 and ENVS 399 on the campus of the University of Hawaii-Manoa, where students will be lodging.
Students will take part in field sampling hikes, visit the Kewalo Marine Lab, learn about microbes from professional scientists and snorkel throughout the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve area.
“I am preparing to go to medical school and I have an interest in microbes. So this trip is for work and pleasure for me. It would really help out my resume for my career path. Also, I found it to be a great learning opportunity,” biology major Laura Grossman said.
The trip also offers several non-class related activities like visiting the Bishop Museum, seeing the Pearl Harbor Memorial site and experiencing an authentic Hawaiian luau.
“It is a unique partnership and great opportunity for people interested in these fields and they will have a memorable winter break experience,” Kristina Phillips, coordinator for StudyUSA, said.
The course has a fee of $2,095, which includes transportation, housing, group meals and field site admission fees. Students are also required to have completed BISC 160, 161, 162, 163 or have an instructor’s approval. Currently two students have signed up for the course and they are hoping to have 10 spots filled by deadline Sept. 30.
“Being in a foreign context is great for priming us to see the world differently, and we’re hoping that this would be facilitated by being in such a gorgeous place like Hawaii, which has such amazing biology everywhere you look,” Hom said.
Registration and applications can be handled through the Study Abroad Office on campus or online on the StudyUSA website.
