Intern in Hawai'i with CISabroad!

Program Overview

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawai’i may be a part of the United States, but it is miles away from the continental U.S. in both location and lifestyle. Your internship will take place in and around Honolulu, the state’s capital and most populous city. Our Site Director hand-picks every internship placement, so you can be sure that you’ll get an internship that’s perfect for you. Honolulu is a major hub for international business and hosts a large diversity of cuisines, cultures, and indigenous Hawaiian traditions. Enjoy the connectivity of a modern city with easy access to outdoor adventures.

GPA Requirement

2.5

Application Deadlines

Summer: February 15 | March 1

Avg Course Load

U.S credit may be available through CISabroad and/or your home university

Language(s) of Instruction

English

Highlights

Many exploration opportunities, including snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, hiking Manoa Falls, and visiting ancient Hawaiian fishponds
Unique cultural melting-pot that blends influences from Hawaiian, Pacific, Asian, American cultures
Variety of internship placements available, in both urban Honolulu and less populated areas of Oahu
Engaging welcome orientation and cultural activities
Exceptional program support

Your Journey Begins Here

Connect with your Global Advisor to start planning. Apply by the application deadline.
Meet your Program Coordinator to finalize acceptance paperwork, housing, courses, flights, visas, payments, etc. Attend a pre-departure orientation.
Fly away. You'll be greeted at the airport, participate in a robust On-site Orientation and La Vida Local Curriculum with your Site Director.

Internship Placement

While participating on a CISabroad program, you’ll be able to take part in built-in weekend and day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Below are a few sample biology and ecology internship placements undertaken by past participants.
There are many more possibilities, as each placement is customized.
Contact an advisor to learn more!

Conservation Intern at Community Fishpond

Work with a truly special organization that manages and maintains a fishpond in the community. The ancient fishpond is considered a community resource and treasure, one that must be cared for shared with others. You'll work with the staff maintaining the fishpond, through water sampling and cleanup. You'll also be part of other duties around education and support.

Intern at Shark Conservation Organization

Put your love of sharks into action as you help educate local community schools and groups about sharks and their importance to our ocean’s health. You may either accompany boats to act as the educational liaison or help to create an educational program using data collection. A new app for shark awareness could also use the input of interns interested in graphic arts, technology, and social media.

Discover more Biology and Ecology placements around the world →

Earn credit

Through our partnership with Plymouth State University, you can earn between 3-12 credits in the fields listed here. Alternatively, many students are able to arrange for credit through their home universities. Learn More →

Why Honolulu

Located on the “Big Island” of Oahu, Honolulu is one of the world’s most popular tourist locations. The warm, tropical climate lets you enjoy the outdoors at any time of the year. You can snorkel through vivid blue water, hike in a lush rainforest, explore active volcanoes, and try surfing Hawaii’s legendary waves. To get around the island of Oahu, there are plenty of buses, taxis, mopeds, bikes, and the Hawaii Pacific Shuttle.

Hawaii’s unique heritage has led to a fascinating melting pot of people with Asian, European, and Native American backgrounds. Thanks to this, you’ll enjoy delicious cuisine, a variety of historical buildings, and the chance to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind community. Hawaiians like to celebrate, and you can join them for festivals that include Whale Day, the Polynesian Festival, a hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival, the Hawaiian International Film Festival, Statehood Day, and the Coffee Festival. Your time in Hawaii will expose you to an entirely different world within the US.

Live La Vida Local

Lei Making: Want to learn how to make a lei when you get back home? This class with teach you.
‘Ukulele: If music is more your thing, sign up for a free class. Instruments are provided.
Hula Class: Try your moves out in a free hula class weekly at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
Camping: All beaches in Hawai’i are public and many have campsites for $5 per night.
Waikiki Beach Movie Nights: Movies on the big screen on the beach for free!
Royal Hawaiian Band Friday Lunch Concert: Every Friday the Royal Hawaiian band plays at the bandstand on the ‘Iolani Palace lawn. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy.

PHOTO GALLERY

Location

Depending on your placement, most interns will live in Waikiki Vista in downtown Honolulu. Some placements are in other areas of the island, so the housing varies slightly. Within a 5 mile radius of Waikiki Vista, you can easily access Waikiki Beach area, downtown Honolulu, fantastic parks/hiking trails, and more!

Note: While bed linens and a pillow are provided, towels are not. Please bring your own bath towel!

Check out the photo gallery to see what your room might be like.

Meals

Each room in Waikiki Vista has a kitchenette with a sink, microwave, and mini-fridge. You will have access to a hot plate kitchen within a common area.

Inclusions and Amenties

24-hour security

Air conditioning

Bathroom Shared

Bed linens

Commute Public Transportation

Double Room

Kitchenette

Triple Room

Wi-Fi

PHOTO GALLERY

Program Excursions

While participating on a CISabroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial

At World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, home of the USS Arizona Memorial, learn about one of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. The monument preserves and interprets the stories of the Pacific War, from the internment of Japanese Americans to the battles in the Aleutians.

CISabroad Study Abroad Semester Program surf lesson hawaii

Group Surf Lesson

While enjoying the fun and sun in Honolulu, take a surf lesson tailored to fit all ages and skill levels. Learn the basics of proper form and ocean safety from a CPR and AED-certified professional surf instructor. After balance ball training, head to the water and discover how to paddle and catch waves. The instructor remains in the water through the end of the lesson, making students feel at home while attending to every learning need.

CISabroad Study Abroad Semester Program hawaii snorkle and sailing

Snorkel and Sailing

Embark upon a relaxing sail through Oahu’s calm Waikiki waters as playful spinner dolphins frolic alongside and iconic Diamond Head lingers in the distance. Arrive at beautiful Turtle Canyon to snorkel among colorful marine fish and sea turtles. Swim along some of Waikiki’s most pristine reefs and sunbathe and bask in the serenity of a morning cruise.

Your Support Staff

Global Advising Team

Travel Tip: We love what we do and want to talk to you! The Global Advising Center is here to help you decide on a program, and complete the Online Application. From the moment you first hear from us be it through a phone call, email or personal visit, you will find that our passion for international education is contagious. We’re ready to launch you abroad.

Jessica Aharon

Internship Enrollment Advisor

Travel Tip: Leave everything you think you know about traveling, the country, culture, or people, behind you! You’ll most likely be surprised, so discover everything as new. Take public transportation and make friends with locals- they will show you the best places and usually hook you up. Most of all, stay present and enjoy! 🙂

Learn more about Jessica

Lisa Beardsley

Site Director in Hawai'i

Travel Tip: Pack for summer! Hawai’i’s temperature is 86F and sunny all year round. Drink lots of water and don’t forget your sunscreen! Arrive with an open mind and a sense of adventure.

Learn more about Lisa

Student Feedback

I created lifelong friends in Hawai’i as well as branched out of my comfort zone by traveling alone. I also appreciate how easy it was to transfer my transcript back to my home school.

Amanda Daly, Summer in Hawaii, Framingham State University, Marketing

Program Fees & Dates

Contact an Advisor

Apply Now

Advisor Tip: Please do not book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

Summer 2020: Session 1

Application Deadline

February 15

Arrival

May 18 (Estimated)

Departure

July 13 | August 10 (Estimated)

PRICE

$4,990 - $5,990 (Estimated)
Summer 2019: Session 2

Application Deadline

March 1

Arrival

June 15 (Estimated)

Departure

August 10 (Estimated)

PRICE

$4,990 (Estimated)

CISabroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

Program Inclusions

As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

Program fees are in US dollars and include the following:

Internship placement and supervision
Housing (most placements in shared studio rooms)
Medical and accident insurance
Pre-departure and onsite orientation
Assistance with travel arrangements
Airport pickup
On-site support
La Vida Local cultural program

4 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET YOUR INTERNSHIP ABROAD

Step 1

Get Your Foot in the Door! Complete the CISabroad online application (remember to upload your résumé!) and pay the $200 application deposit. NOTE: This is not an extra fee, but a deposit applied toward your total program fee. Get Started →

Step 2

Let’s Chat! One of our advisors will reach out to set up your acceptance interview and access to your online portal, where you can easily submit all required forms. In the acceptance interview, you’ll talk through your goals and expectations for the internship, as well as your past skills and experiences, so we can best match you with a host organization. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions and talk more about your next steps.

Shortly after the interview, we’ll be able to offer you acceptance to one of our programs.

Step 3

Save Your Spot! Complete the additional application forms in your online portal and pay the $500 Internship Deposit to confirm your acceptance. NOTE: This is not an extra fee, but a deposit applied toward your total program fee.

Step 4

Matchmaker Time! We’ll work with our on-site teams to place you with a host organization that matches your skills and goals. Meanwhile, the internship team will work with you to answer questions and prepare you for your time abroad. You’ll be arriving before you know it!