Here are some general rules, tips, and expectations to help you become accustomed to your new home!

Please note that although CISabroad makes every effort to provide your preferred form of housing, we cannot guarantee that all personal preferences will be met. We have carefully selected safe and adequate housing for each student and each living arrangement is distinct and special in its own way.

Every housing placement is different with different pros and cons. Your accommodations will be different than what you’ve come to expect in your home country. In general, be prepared for a relatively small living space in an older building with very basic amenities.

Now is the time to open your mind and get ready to experience something different; this attitude is in the spirit of your decision to study abroad. Please also remember, that when you are abroad, you will be representing your home institution and your home country; behave appropriately.

There are no housing changes allowed during the first 2 weeks of the program. There is a natural adjustment period to life abroad and making any housing change decisions during this time is usually premature.

Housing Description:

You’ll live in a very recently traditional student accommodation in the heart of Honolulu. Waikiki Vista offers a perfect location for students studying at Hawai’i Pacific University. Within a 5 mile radius of Waikiki Vista you can easily access Waikiki Beach area, downtown Honolulu, fantastic parks/hiking trails, and more!

Students are automatically placed in a double. If you wish to have a single let your program coordinator know!

Amenities:

Each unit has air conditioning
Shared bedroom, though single rooms are available for an extra fee.
There are single and double beds, dressers and a bathroom with a shower
There is also a kitchenette located in your room with a sink, microwave and mini fridge. You will have access to a kitchen with hot plates within a common area in Waikiki Vista
Internet
Linens and your pillow will be provided
Please bring your own bath towel
24-hour security to keep you safe

Your site director is there to help you make this your new home away from home.

Meals:

Students tend to cook for themselves or go out to eat, and there is a grocery store 2 blocks away. Keep in mind that groceries and food costs in Hawai’i are much higher because most of the groceries must be imported from the mainland.

Please note: A meal plan is offered by the university for an additional cost, but it is located on the other campus, and can be inconvenient to get to.

Cleanliness:
Keep your room and the common areas clean; this is especially important when you are sharing a bedroom, apartment, residence, or dormitory.

Noise:
In order to avoid disturbing the neighbors or housemates, please use headphones when listening to music, or keep the volume low, and please keep your voices down.

Utilities and use:

Students will provided with air conditioning and internet, as part of the program cost, as well as 24-hour security.
Heating and air conditioning should be used sparingly. NEVER leave heating or air conditioning units while you are not home. If you must have them on when you are sleeping, keep them low.
Always turn off the lights when you leave the apartment and when you are not in the room.

Safety:

You should lock the apartment door at all times. Also, when leaving the apartment, make sure the windows are closed and locked. Neither the study abroad company nor the housing company will be responsible for any stolen items.
If the keys to the apartment are stolen, lost or misplaced, all locks to the apartment will have to be replaced at the student’s expense, including key copies for all apartment members.
If the keys are left inside the apartment/bedroom and the locksmith has to open the door for the you, you will have to pay for this service.
It is strictly forbidden to throw any object or substance from windows, balconies, terraces or roofs. This includes keys, cigarette butts or anything else big or small.

Guests and Alcohol Policies:

Alcohol consumption and smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the apartment.
Disrespectful behavior related to alcohol consumption will end up in dismissal from the housing and you will have to find your own housing at your own expense.
The consumption of drugs, as well as keeping or dealing with them, is absolutely prohibited.

Financial Liability:

You will have to pay for any damage done to the apartment (doors, walls, floors, furniture, kitchen supplies, washing machine, etc.).
If extra time is needed to clean the apartment, or if items are damaged or missing, you will be charged and those charges will be deducted from your housing deposit. Housing deposits will be returned 8-12 weeks after the program has ended.

Helpful tips for living with other people:

Respect your hosts and the other people that live in the building.
Remember that you are not on a college campus and not in your own home. Respect the property and get out of the “college campus” mentality.
Talk to your roommates if they do something that bothers you. Talking it through is the easiest way to solve a small problem before it gets bigger.
Talk to the staff if a problem arises and you cannot work it out with your roommates.

Warning process:

If any of the above rules are broken, you will receive a first verbal warning. This warning will also be written and sent to your sending study abroad program and your home school.
The second infraction of any of the above rules will result in you being evicted from your apartment. You will need to find a new place to live at your own expense.
Please read through all of our behavior policies noted in the CISabroad Policy Handbook, linked inside of the attachment to your acceptance email

Welcome to Semester in Hawaii

Welcome to
Semester in Hawaii