Contrary to what many expect, surfing wasn’t the decisive factor in choosing my study-abroad destination — it was the landscape, culture, and language. Hawaii is one of the most diverse places in the world: from beaches and the ocean to tropical rainforests and remote volcanic landscapes. This variety appealed to me both academically and personally.
Linguistically, Hawaii is exciting because many students come from the U.S., Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. You encounter a wide range of languages and accents, and can deliberately improve your English. The current political climate also played a role in my decision — ultimately, we experienced far fewer issues than expected; there were no problems on the mainland or on the islands.
Culturally, I was fascinated by Hawaiian identity: the strong connection to nature, the importance of the ocean, and the respectful way people treat one another. I wanted to experience that more closely.
My favorite class was “Database Technologies.” In this course, we independently designed a relational database, implemented it, and integrated it into a graphical software application. What stood out:
Compared to MCI, you can assemble your schedule quite freely here. The selection of courses for international students varies from year to year; each course is held once or twice per week and usually lasts about 1.5 hours. With a bit of planning, you can arrange five courses to fit into four days. If a class doesn’t feel right, you have the first week to switch.
Grades depend much less on exams: the midterm and final together usually account for about 20–35% of the final grade; the rest consists of attendance, continuous assignments, and projects. If you complete those during the week, you often have a free weekend from Friday to Sunday.
I lived on campus and could reach all buildings on foot; the dining hall was also right on campus. You can get to the beach easily by bus, or you can buy a moped. Free evenings during the week are perfect for relaxing by the ocean.
Beyond surfing and beaches, Hawaii offers much for hikers. On weekends, we did countless tours to hidden spots and waterfalls. A must-do is a weekend on the neighboring islands: we witnessed a volcanic eruption, saw the Nā Pali Coast, and explored beaches in a wide range of colors.
My personal highlight was hiking Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in Hawaii, at just under 4,200 m. A weekend on the mainland is also worth it. For adrenaline fans, there’s shark snorkeling in the open ocean and skydiving — both activities show the islands from a new perspective.
Hawaii is a paradise and an unforgettable place for a semester abroad. The combination of diverse nature, living culture, linguistic variety, and hands-on academics makes the stay unique. For me, it was exactly the right choice — not because of the surfing, but because of the experiences that go far beyond it.
Georg Sagmeister in front of a bridge in Hawaii ©Georg Sagmeister
Hawaii City ©Georg Sagmeister
Skydiving in Hawaii ©Georg Sagmeister
University Campus Hawaii ©Georg Sagmeister
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