© Lena M.
“Exciting, sunny and also full of adrenaline” – this is how Lena describes her first days in Hawaii. The business psychology student at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has been studying at the Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu since January and has thus fulfilled a long-awaited dream. Because she knew before she started her studies that she would like to spend a semester abroad.
In the meantime she has settled in well in her new temporary home and is enthusiastic regarding it breathtaking naturethat Hawaii has to offer. During her semester abroad, she would therefore like to discover as much of the island as possible. Both many exciting leisure activities, who are waiting for you here, you almost have to be careful not to forget to learn. But that shouldn’t be a problem with this one great range of courses offered by the HPU and hers scenic oceanfront campus.
Would you like to know what Lena’s everyday university life at the HPU looks like? Then keep your eyes on ours Instagram Account open. There we accompany the Takeover scholarship holder on her adventure abroad and provide you with regular updates. From the March 22-26 Lena will take over our Instagram account and will report to you daily regarding her experiences in Hawaii during this time.
You can get to know Lena in advance in her profile.
PROFILE – Lena at Hawaii Pacific University
Who are you, what are you studying and where are you currently spending your semester abroad?
Aloha, my name is Lena and I’m studying Business Psychology in the Darmstadt College. I am currently spending my semester abroad at the Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU) in Honolulu, HI. Since I’m almost done with my bachelor’s degree in Germany and therefore can’t get credit for any courses, I chose courses that interested me or that I would have liked to have done in Germany.
How did you come up with the idea of doing a semester abroad?
I had the idea of doing a semester abroad before I even started studying, haha! On the one hand, it inspired me my gap year following graduation, which I spent in Chicago as an AuPair. I also took a course at a community college there and looked at a few American universities, which also encouraged me to come back as a student. A friend then told me that she went to Bristol through College Contact and super satisfied was. I then looked at the university proposals.
How did you end up doing a semester abroad at Hawaii Pacific University?
In fact, my decision was relatively “spontaneous”. It was clear to me that I would like to go to an English-speaking country and since the partner universities at my German university didn’t quite convince me, I had looked online for other options. In addition to the unique nature and the possibility to escape the winter in Germanythe HPU had too Exactly the courses I was hoping for. The oceanfront campus and Offers such as “surf courses” were of course pluses. I was also excited to get to know the culture, the HPU is one too very international universitythat was also very important to me when making the selection.
That was a final crucial point Scholarshipwhich you receive as a “visiting student” (i.e. students who only spend one semester at the university). This also made it possible for me to finance my stay with scholarships!
How were your first days in Hawaii?
Exciting, sunny and also full of adrenaline. On the day I arrived in Honolulu, the orientation week started straight away. During these days we received a lot of information and insights into the university and what it has to offer. We’ve also been able to try things like paddleboarding (so I saw the first sea turtles on the 3rd day!!) and also went on a hike. Everything organized by the university and such perfect opportunity to make first contacts. Otherwise I settled into my accommodation and also spent a lot of time at the beach.
Then the first week of lectures and everyday university life started straight away!
What are you looking forward to the most?
Of course nature! There are so many ways to enjoy nature and be active in Hawaii. I’m particularly looking forward to those Hikes and snorkeling, but above all to the first surfing lessons! To be honest, I don’t think I know what else I’m going to experience, so I’m just looking forward to the coming weeks and months, in which I will of course try to discover as much of the island as possible!
What are your plans for March when your takeover happens?
© Hawaii Pacific Universitysome! Since I passed the exam phase in Germany at the end of February, I would like to use the time primarily to Get to know the north and west of the island better. I’d like to go to the North Shore, there snorkel and (if I already have skills by then) maybe even try to surf! „Whalewatching“ I have also planned and a few local restaurants I would also like to try it. Of course I will still have a lot to do with the university, because I really enjoy the courses, to be honest it’s not a problem. In mid-March I’ll be visiting from Germany, so there’s a lot on the agenda then! The perfect time for a takeover!
Would you like to accompany Lena on her semester abroad in Hawaii? Then follow us on Instagram and stay up to date:
