Apply Now for the 2025 Philippines SPRING Study Tour!
Ready for an Adventure? Apply for the 2025 Spring Sister-State Study Tour to the Philippines! 🇵🇭
PAAC is thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for our Spring 2025 Study Tour to the Philippines. Under the theme “Weaving Our Interconnected Stories”, students will visit historical sites and take part in cultural engagement activities in Manila, Vigan and Laoag to gain first-hand knowledge of the Philippines.
Who can apply?
All 9th-12th grade students attending a Hawaiʻi public (HIDOE) school are eligible to submit an application for this Study Tour.
Preference will be given to students currently enrolled in the Filipino History and Culture class (CHR 2300). However, this does not guarantee acceptance. All applicants are still expected to submit a strong application to ensure program-fit and readiness to travel internationally.
When are the applications due?
📅 Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 11:59PM.
Teachers can submit recommendations until Dec. 7th.
How to Apply?
Review the Student Application Form carefully
Get your High School Transcript (unofficial transcripts are fine)
Write two Short Essay Responses
Turn in one Video or Audio Response
Have your parents fill out the Parent Form
Ask two adults that are not related to you to fill out the Teacher/Adult Recommendations (due on December 7, 2024)
Please read through the entire application carefully before getting started. A view-only document is available to help you prepare your official electronic submission. Using a gmail email is preferred while filling out the application.
All materials must be submitted on-time to be eligible. Incomplete or late applications will NOT be considered.
Are travel scholarships available?
Travel scholarships are available! The cost of the program is estimated to be around $3800. Participants accepted into the program will be required to make a non-refundable deposit of $300 to secure their place in the study tour. Thanks to the generosity of the State of Hawaiʻi and the East-West Center, participants will be eligible to receive financial aid to subsidize the majority of the trip cost. To be eligible for this scholarship, parents must fill out the Financial Information section on the parent form completely.
What are the program dates?
Parent Info Meeting: Wed. January 15
Pre-Trip Workshop: Fri. January 31
Pre-Trip Orientation: February 15-16
Travel Dates: March 15-23 ✈️
Group Presentation: Sat. April 19
Please note, all program dates listed above (except travel dates) are tentative and will be confirmed as soon as possible. Participation in this program requires attendance on *ALL* program dates.
What will the itinerary look like?
The itinerary is currently being finalized but the general plan is as follows:
March 15 : Depart Hawaiʻi.
Neighbor island students will be flown to Honolulu International Airport to leave with group.
March 16 : Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila in the evening.
March 17-18: Explore Manila.
We will step back in time by visiting historical sites such as the Walled City of Intramuros.
March 19: Transit to Laoag International Airport.
March 20-22: Explore Vigan (Ilocos Sur) and Laoag (Ilocos Norte).
We will participate in different cultural activities such as Inabel Weaving.
March 23: Travel home.
Has PAAC organized a study tour to the philippines before?
Since 2016, PAAC has organized several Study Tours to the Philippines. Most recently, four students attended the 2024 East-West Center Media Conference in Manila. You can see their reflections on our blog.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Contact Study Tours Director Ms. Carol Li <paac@paachawaii.org> or 808-944-7784 if you have any questions. More information about PAAC Study Tours is available on our Study Tours page.