Course Enrollment
Can you define some terms for me? Do I have to be an education major?
We are using a lot of terms that may be unfamiliar to non-education majors. We're here to help:
Field Study: a specific location where someone (a student researcher for example) will be in for a specific period of time (days, weeks, months, etc) to observe and participate in on location in local activities, events, etc. with the goal of collecting data for their own research.
Inquiry: the process of wanting to learn more about something by forming and answering your own questions regarding your own topic of interest.
And no, you do not have to be an education major to take our courses!
Both our Japan/Korea and Switzerland courses are open to everyone regardless of major or class standing. Non students can also take our courses! Note, the Switzerland course is limited to 10 people who will be selected via an application process.
Field Study: a specific location where someone (a student researcher for example) will be in for a specific period of time (days, weeks, months, etc) to observe and participate in on location in local activities, events, etc. with the goal of collecting data for their own research.
Inquiry: the process of wanting to learn more about something by forming and answering your own questions regarding your own topic of interest.
And no, you do not have to be an education major to take our courses!
Both our Japan/Korea and Switzerland courses are open to everyone regardless of major or class standing. Non students can also take our courses! Note, the Switzerland course is limited to 10 people who will be selected via an application process.
Do I need to be able to speak japanese/korean/german/italian/french/romansh?
You do not need a prior foreign language experience for any of our courses! We plan for short but fun language and culture learning activities in each of our course sessions to help you learn some basics for travel (i.e., asking for directions, ordering food, etc.). We often times have a few students in our courses that already have some prior experience or are even native speakers and they have always been wonderful and valuable additions to our courses.
Do I have to be on Oahu to take this course?
Japan/Korea
This course allows for flexible attendance (in-person OR live online for those who are not on Oahu) and we have a technology specialist who will work hard to make sure that you have the most complete course experience possible if you come in online.
Switzerland
There is no online option for this course; all students must attend all course sessions in person.
Note: you will of course have to make it in person for your field study!
This course allows for flexible attendance (in-person OR live online for those who are not on Oahu) and we have a technology specialist who will work hard to make sure that you have the most complete course experience possible if you come in online.
Switzerland
There is no online option for this course; all students must attend all course sessions in person.
Note: you will of course have to make it in person for your field study!
I'm not a student, but a teacher or other working professional. Can I take one of your courses?
Absolutely, so long as your schedule will allow for you to attend all the course sessions and field study dates. Check the overview documents for our Japan/Korea course and Switzerland course to see if things work with your schedule, and please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
Teachers:
You may be able to get professional development credits with our courses, so please check with your principal to see if our courses may be approved for that purpose.
Teachers:
You may be able to get professional development credits with our courses, so please check with your principal to see if our courses may be approved for that purpose.
Finances
Can I use financial aid for these courses?
Because both courses are 3-credit A-F graded courses, you may be able to use financial aid towards tuition cost if you have leftover funds from fall and spring semesters. Inquire with the financial aid office about your case.
I really want to take one of your courses but how can i afford it?
We understand that the overall costs to taking one of our courses may be the biggest barrier for you. We think that our courses have a lot to offer and will make your investment in traveling to other countries and experiencing all they have to offer worth it. With that said, our courses do offer some financial assistance in different ways.
Japan/Korea
This course offers an up-to $500 travel stipend to help offset your costs (an Air Asia round trip flight to Osaka, Japan is typically between $200 and $500).
Switzerland
This course offers a $1000 travel stipend to help offset your costs (airfare to get you from Hawaii to Switzerland is around $1800). In addition, a $500 value Swiss Travel Pass is being provided to students on behalf of the Learning and Teaching in the Context of Sustainable Development grant and will cover a majority of your public ground transportation costs in Switzerland (boat, bus, train, etc.).
NOTE: Stipends for both courses are mailed to students after they complete their field study.
Japan/Korea
This course offers an up-to $500 travel stipend to help offset your costs (an Air Asia round trip flight to Osaka, Japan is typically between $200 and $500).
Switzerland
This course offers a $1000 travel stipend to help offset your costs (airfare to get you from Hawaii to Switzerland is around $1800). In addition, a $500 value Swiss Travel Pass is being provided to students on behalf of the Learning and Teaching in the Context of Sustainable Development grant and will cover a majority of your public ground transportation costs in Switzerland (boat, bus, train, etc.).
NOTE: Stipends for both courses are mailed to students after they complete their field study.
Coursework
is there a lot of work or homework in your courses?
Our courses are largely experienced-based, and homework is kept to a minimal. Instead, you will have an opportunity to bond and work together with your classmates in multiple in-class activities. Together, you will learn more about your host cultures and be better prepared for your field study.
Are there any major IN-CLASS projects?
During your course sessions, you will be working together with your classmates to prepare a lesson to teach in your host country or countries. More specifics will be revealed as you complete each course session, but if you have questions, please contact the Japan/Korea team or the Switzerland course instructor.
Is there a final project?
The final project requires you to create a presentation that summarizes your experiences in the course sessions and field study, and pulls conclusions from the data you collected during your field study. The final due date differs for each course, but you are typically given several weeks after the conclusion of your field study to work on the project. Although you will not be required to present the presentation, we often have events (such as when our partner universities and university students (some whom you may meet during your field study!) visit us from around January through March) where we can offer you an opportunity to present your work.
Travel
Do we travel together as a group?
You certainly can! Every year our students end up making good friends and make plans to travel together before, during, or after the field study.
NOTE: All travel arrangements must be booked by each student on their own, but our instructors can assist with planning all the way through, and make time during the course sessions to address your travel questions.
NOTE: All travel arrangements must be booked by each student on their own, but our instructors can assist with planning all the way through, and make time during the course sessions to address your travel questions.
How do we book hotels? Where will we be staying?
All hotel rooms are reserved ahead of time by the course instructor and paid for in person by credit card by each student; everyone stays at the same hotel to help our partners with transportation logistics. We typically stay in areas that are in a convenient and central location to many stores, grocery shops, restaurants, etc. With our Switzerland course, there are two options a student can choose for lodging.
How do i get from point a to b?
We will dedicate some time in class every session to help address different questions you may have about travel. In addition to teaching you basic language phrases for travel, our instructors and course assistants will provide you tips and tricks for maximizing your money and making your travel as easy and efficient as possible.
What can i expect from the field study?
- Get ready to be immersed in the culture, tradition, language, and lifestyle of your host countries!
- Days are typically from 8a - 4p, with a few days with earlier starts and/or later finish times. Full itinearies for your field study week(s) will be given to you during the course sessions.
- There can be a lot of walking involved, so we recommend you bring very comfortable walking shoes and attire. We cover appropriate attire to bring for various situations (high formal, formal, casual, etc.) in our course sessions.
- Get ready to meet lots of new people during your trip, from university students, university faculty, and people you meet a long the way
- Be ready to meet and greet dozens to hundreds of young and excited school children eager to meet you during your school visits!