Midwesterner coming to study in your fine State.

[Kamikaze]

The subject pretty much says it. Pending an acceptance letter from the University of Hawai'i Manoa, I will be coming in January 2006 for the spring 2006 semester.

Now, I'm in a rather interesting situation. I moved to Chicago from southern Indiana 11 years ago. My father and the rest of my extended family still lives down there. My mother moved to South Carolina for a new job last year, so I've been living on my own up here for about a year now. That of course is about to change.

My question is on the topic of residency. Once I leave Chicago I don't really plan on living here again. I have absolutely zero family ties here, I hate the long winter, and I hate the surrounding suburbs even more. My future lies in studying Japanese and Asian culture in general, so I'm not likely to want to return to southern Indiana or follow my mother to South Carolina once I finish school.

However, as a student I may only be able to afford to stay in Hawai'i during the academic year. This means I'd have to live with my mother or other extended family during the winter and summer breaks. However, this probably damages my chances of attaining residency (and also thus a cheaper tuition). I also plan on doing a study abroad for hopefully an entire academic year in Japan. Even though I won't have a place to live, should I just keep my residency in Illinois? Should I just take it to Indiana or South Carolina? Or should I try to become a resident of Hawai'i? If so what steps can I take as a student without a permanent residence there?

[roguevalley]

1. hmmm. how long do you plan to study in Hawaii? Does

Hawaii and Indiana have reciprocity agreements about students? What does being a resident in Illinois mean for your life in Hawaii? Check out the financial advantages. If there are none, be a Hawaii. You lucky devil.

[yorkiemommie1]

2. you'll love it

i spent 6 of the best years of my life there.

I imagine you will be spending a lot of your time at East-West Center.

There's a church at the base of University Ave. that is a real democratic hangout. Church of the Crossroads, I think.

I wish i could help w/ your original question, but I do wish you well in my home state.

[Quetzal]

3. Hmmm

I think a few more details need to be put forward before any of your questions can be answered.

Are you currently attending a college or university in Illinois?

Do you intend on staying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for a long period of time? Will you receive your degree from here?

There is also Housing available for the winter vacation at UH. If you want to have housing at UH for the summer, you will have to attend summer school.

I also live in a house that has rented rooms. It is a 10 minute walk to UH - Manoa. There is a possibilty a room might open up at the time you need it.

Roguevalley mentioned a possible reciprocity agreement between Hawaii and Illinois. There are special relationships between the University of Hawaii and other Western US State Universities. This network falls under the acronym of WUE, or Western Undergraduate Exchange. Many students who take advantage of the WUE program have their tuitions slashed up to 150 percent. Unfortunately, Illinois is not listed as a participant in the WUE program. Call the University of Hawaii to see if there is a similar program for Illinois.

Yorkiemommie mentioned the East-West Center. If you are studying Asian culture, politics, and history, this is one of the the best places to be (this is where the parents of Barack Obama met).

The Church of the Crossroads is definetly a huge Democratic Hangout. It was a refuge for those who resisted the draft during the Vietnam war. I also cooked food for the homeless here when I was a participant with Amnesty International.

One other thing - if you are accepted to the University of Hawaii, make sure to turn in your Housing application on time or well ahead of time. If not, you will definetly be in one hell of a shitstorm. Housing is extremely tight at UH and if your application is late, you will automatically be put on the waiting list (meaning you will NEVER get housing). Being that you are from Chicago, you will most likely get housing at UH (granted you turn in your housing application in on time).

There is a large variety of Japanese exchange programs from which you can choose at the University of Hawaii. No problem about that.

[Kamikaze]

4. Questions answered.

"Are you currently attending a college or university in Illinois?"

Yes, I attend a local junior college and this is where I've learned all the Japanese I know to this point. I do not have enough credits accumulated for an associates degree though. Most likely I'll have between 25-30 by the end of the upcoming fall semester.

"Do you intend on staying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for a long period of time? Will you receive your degree from here?"

I'll be staying there for as long as I possibly can. If I'm on a study abroad program I'm still counted as a student of UHM yes? And, I do intend to receive my degree from UHM.

"I also live in a house that has rented rooms. It is a 10 minute walk to UH - Manoa. There is a possibilty a room might open up at the time you need it."

This could be a worthy option, if student loans and/or scholarships will cover the living expenses there.

I'll definitely look into everything else you've listed. Lots of good info here, I'm definitely bookmarking this thread. Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

[yorkiemommie1]

5. church of the crossroads

I realize that this is very marginal re: your questions but providing everything else works out for you getting to Hawai'i, this might be a good place to meet likeminded folks.

Although I did not know Larry Jones personally, he was a true guiding light to those seeking conscientious objector status.



more here:


http://www.honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%202003/03-12-03%20Sanctuary/03-12-03%20Sanctuary.html

[yorkiemommie1]

6. jobs shouldn't be hard to find either

http://starbulletin.com/2005/06/26/news/index2.html