HPU Go Abroad Initiative

For my Follow on Service Project I am creating a study abroad mentorship program called the HPU Go Abroad Initiative that focuses on incoming and current low income and minority/ underrepresented students at Hawaii Pacific University. Hawaii Pacific University mission is to celebrate and promote diversity as it considered one of the culturally diverse universities in the nation and the world. To take it to another level, supporting and uplifting underrepresented students especially Native Hawaiian/American, Black, and Hispanic students and students from low income families will help encourage them to study abroad. Statistics show 22 percent of the student body are Pell Grant recipients but many do not know that this makes them eligible to compete for the Gilman Scholarship. The program will include past study abroad students that have similar backgrounds as the focus group as mentors and past Gilman Scholarship winners from
I will serve as a mentor and share my study abroad experience by conducting a blog during my experience and hosting panels to share information about the challenges and rewards of studying abroad. The HPU Go Abroad Initiative will have a social media component to keep in touch with mentees and share information about upcoming events. The event focus will include writing and application workshops, resume building and development tips, outings between mentors and mentees, cultural events in the Downtown Honolulu area, HPU sponsored events and panel discussions. This program will increase student involvement on campus, cultural awareness, promote study abroad, and provide opportunities for professional and academic development. Panels will include discussions and presentations about finances abroad, budgeting, how to overcome social challenges, becoming comfortable abroad and learning about the study abroad programs we offer at