International - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
· HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE AN ADMISSIONS DECISION?
Depending upon the time of year, the turnaround time is anywhere from 3 to 10 days, if all necessary admissions requirements have been submitted (for example, passport, application, application fee, transcripts, and proof of English language proficiency).
· WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO CHANGE MY COURSES?
Course change requests need to be submitted via the Course Request Form by the appropriate add/drop date of the semester. Please refer to the academic calendar for the appropriate add/drop date.
· HOW MANY CREDITS IN ECTS WILL I RECEIVE FROM MY STUDIES AT HPU?
Your home university’s study abroad office can provide this information to you, as each university has their own transfer credit policies. At HPU, One credit hour constitutes a minimum of three class work hours where a “class work hour” is defined as 50 minutes. Typically, class work hours include one hour of direct faculty instruction (“seat time”) and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class work by the student per week of the 16-week term for a one-credit-hour course. Out-of-class work includes time spent preparing for class, studying, completing assignments, etc. A standard 3-credit class thus meets for at least 37.5 contact hours (“seat time”) per term, and students should complete a minimum of 75 hours out-of-class work.
· CAN VISITING STUDENTS WORK ON CAMPUS? IS VOLUNTEERING PERMITTED ON A VISITING (F-1) STUDENT VISA?
Please refer to this site for more information.
· HOW DO I PAY FOR TUITION?
This page provides information in regards to payment options for international students.
· WHAT HOUSING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE OFF CAMPUS?
For Off-Campus Housing options, click here.
· I’VE ARRIVED IN HAWAII, WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET TO CAMPUS?
First and foremost, pay a visit to the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) and bring your passport with the F-1 Student Visa and your I-20 to check-in. Next is to pick up your HPU Student ID and UPASS (bus transportation card) in the Student Services Center. Then, visit the Business Office if you have not already made arrangements for your tuition payment.
· CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN THE U.S.?
International students are able to open bank accounts in the U.S. Please be sure to check with the bank of your choice in regards to their required documents prior to initiating the application process. Services provided by U.S. banks are similar to those in other countries, but the terms used may differ from those with which you are familiar. Bank services and costs vary considerably.
· WHERE CAN I BUY A PHONE PLAN IN THE U.S.?
Sim cards are available from stores like Walmart and Target, or a phone plan can be purchased directly from a service provider: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. The service you choose depends on what features are most important to you. Thoughts to consider: whether you are using your own phone, or features such as contract versus no contract, amount of available data, price, coverage, etc.
· HOW DO I OBTAIN MY UNICARD (Student ID)?
The UniCard is the official identification card of HPU and it is required for a variety of activities such as utilizing the intercampus shuttle service, borrowing materials from the University libraries, entering the ATM Learning Commons, and receiving tutorial services, etc. For more information, visit this page.
· WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND THE ISLAND OF O’AHU?
1) By bus – Students who are enrolled full-time can use their UPass. The UPass entitles students to unlimited use of TheBus (Oahu’s public transportation system) at a fraction of the cost for the whole semester.
2) By bike – Biki has 1,300 bikes at 130 conveniently located self-service “Biki Stops” throughout downtown Honolulu. Biki bikes are designed to be easy to maneuver, comfortable and fun to ride. For more information, see https://gobiki.org/
3) By car – Hui is a round-trip, station-based service available to users 24/7 from Toyota Connected North America and Servco Pacific Inc. HPU students over 18 years of age are eligible to drive, subject to other membership requirements. See https://www.drivehui.com/