Have a question about 3-week NICE? The answer may be here.
Q: Where is the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) located? A: UHM is in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, on the island of Oahu. It is the main campus of the University of Hawai‘i system. By bus, it’s about 20 minutes from the airport and about 15 minutes from Waikiki Beach. By the way, Mānoa is the name of the valley where UHM is located.
Q: Is Hawai’i safe? A: Honolulu is listed as the safest large city in the U.S. During the first week, our teachers and staff will give you good advice on staying safe while visiting our islands (a safety briefing).
Q: How much money will I need to attend 3-week NICE? A: Not including airfare and personal purchases, students usually need about $2800 to cover program fees, housing, meals, and bus transportation. This will vary depending on where you choose to live.
Q: Do I need a visa to attend NICE? A: Because three-week NICE is a short-term program, a student visa is not required. Students may enter the U.S. on visitor status (ESTA or B1/B2 visa).
Q: Where will I live? A: Many students stay in homestays with American families. Others choose to stay in short-term rental apartments, or private student dormitories. Some stay in hotels. See the housing section for more detailed information:
Q: How will I get around in Honolulu? A: Honolulu has a good city bus system that can take you all over the island. The Bus.
Q: Can NICE students use the university’s facilities? A: Yes. Students are welcome to use the cafeterias, libraries, computer labs, health center, and recreation center-the gym and pool. (There is a small fee for the gym/pool.) You can request free UH WiFi access on the NICE application.
Q: Who will my classmates be? A: Three-week NICE students may be any age from 16 years through seniors, but most are university students. Students from all countries are welcome: most are from Japan, Korea, China, and other Asian countries.
Q: Who will my teacher be? A: NICE teachers are highly dedicated and motivated individuals, with most having advanced degrees and several years of experience teaching English to international students. They all love teaching international students.
Q: How will my class level be decided? How many students will be in my class? A: On the first day, you will have a speaking test, which is used to make sure you are placed in the most comfortable level for you. There will be 12 -16 students in each class.
Q: How much will my English improve? A: All students can be sure that they will become more comfortable and confident speaking English. The NICE curriculum helps students use the English they may have studied for many years. And the best part – students will enjoy English more than ever before. By the way, we have a strict “English only” policy, so you will be speaking English from the first day.
Q: Will I be able to meet Americans? A: A big ‘YES.’ First, our school is in the middle of the university. You will interact with university students through five interchange sessions, through other classroom activities (such as conducting surveys), and through two educational activities with your classmates (your class goes into the community); Finally, you can attend three optional activities around town.
Q: How much will I have to pay for off-campus educational activities? A: Each class will go to two different places in the community; for example, historical or cultural sites, a local business. The cost will be free or inexpensive, not more than $20 total for the two activities. Transportation is usually by City Bus.
Q: Does NICE offer any activities just for fun during free time? A: Yes! Three optional activities are offered each session. Examples include a university basketball game, zoo concert, whale-watching cruise, or waterfall hike. They occur in the evenings or on the weekends.
Q: What should I bring with me to Hawai‘i? A: Bring your smartphone or camera, a jacket for cooler evenings and air-conditioned classrooms, and appropriate clothing for the closing graduation ceremony. As for money, we recommend bringing a credit card rather that a lot of cash.
Q: How is the weather in Hawai‘i? A: In winter and spring (February & March), the average high is 27°C (80F), the average low is 19°C (66F); in summer (August), the average high is 30°C (87F), and average low is 24°C (75F).
Q: Where can I go for more information? A: Please see this student handbook, or e-mail the Program Coordinator, Saori Doi, at [email protected].