Travel Journalism in Hawaii

Travel journalism
in Hawaii

overview

overview

Group of students on the Travel Writing in Hawaii Study Away program. Students are wearing a lei and drinking from pineapples at a dinner.

Based in Waikīkī, on the south shore of Honolulu, the Travel Journalism in Hawaii program will challenge you to be journalists and explorers as you gain the skills you need to share with others what you experience in the only U.S. state that was once a kingdom. You’ll grow as storytellers and travelers and ultimately be able to appreciate the wide differences in perspectives and values found among different cultures. You’ll see the importance of place and history in even the most routine stories you report. And you’ll have the opportunity to pursue personal passions—art, science, politics, business—in a new context.

This program will also offer you the chance to meet local journalists, government officials, and residents, including some of the tens of thousands who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. You’ll learn from them and about them in ways that most tourists never can. The island itself will be our classroom, and the unfamiliar environment will push you to sharpen your skills in interviewing, observation, and writing.

Through discussions and reporting assignments, we’ll explore Hawaii’s history and culture, the way of life of the Polynesian seafarers who first settled the islands, the impact of the arrival of American missionaries, the eventual melding of North American and East Asian cultures, the events at Pearl Harbor during World War II, the unique local climate and ecology, the regional cuisine, and the modern challenges and opportunities created by ever-expanding Hawaii tourism.

LEARN MORE: Attend an information session this Fall to learn more.

o   Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – 12:00-1:00pm (PAF Conference room – 239 – 2nd floor)

OR

o   Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – 2:00-3:00pm (239A – 2nd floor)

Students on the Hawaii study away program stand in front of a giant faux dinosaur skeleton from the set of the movie The Jurassic Park.

Apply

Applications open before August of each year. Applications for Summer 2025 are due before midnight, Monday, November 4th, 2024.

Costs & Logistics

The program costs vary from year to year depending on number of students enrolled, exchange rates, and logistical cost changes. The ESTIMATED program fee for summer 2025 is $4,350 (this includes a $150 security deposit paid upon acceptance to the program). This amount is only an estimate and is subject to change until all students are accepted to the program in the Spring.

In addition to the program fee, students are expected to pay 3 hours of in-state tuition and UGA Mandatory Fees through their Athena student accounts after registration. The HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships can be applied towards TUITION only if applicable. **non-UGA transient students may have an additional $250 fee upon registration**

The program fee listed above includes the following:

  • Lodging in double-occupancy, air-conditioned rooms with a full bath
  • Daily Breakfast, a welcome dinner and closing dinner
  • Entrance to educational and cultural activities
  • Monthly bus pass
  • A dedicated classroom with WiFi access

The program fee listed above DOES NOT include:

  • 3 hours of in-state tuition and UGA Mandatory fees (See UGA’s website for updated tuition and fees rates for 2025)
  • Airfare to/from Honolulu (Typically around $1,200 – $1,600)
  • Meals other than breakfast, and a welcome/closing dinner
  • Laundry
  • Personal Purchases and weekend travel
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses

Student accommodations

A picture of the front of the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel taken at night time. Palm trees and street light in front of building.

Students will stay in double-occupancy hotel rooms in the beautiful Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Outrigger is ranked #1 on Tripadvisor! The hotel is providing our program a common room that will have a kitchenette for cooking small meals. Outrigger is located just a 5-minute walk to the beach and near restaurants and shopping!

    Program Faculty & Staff

    Dr. Jonathan Peters

    Department Head, Associate Professor

    jonathan.peters@uga.edu706-542-4668
    Journalism Building, Room 232
    Learn More Read more about Jonathan

    Rebekah Seabolt

    Global Studies Program Manager

    rryan26@uga.edu706-542-4181
    Journalism Bldg, Room 205
    Learn More Read more about Rebekah