Go Global Program
Today’s employers look for more than just a degree. They want employees who exhibit creativity, problem-solving skills, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, a willingness to take risks and try new things, and a curiosity to learn. UH Hilo’s Go Global program addresses all these needs.
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Go Global is a program offered through the College of Business & Economics at UH Hilo. Working in conjunction with the office of National Student Exchange (NSE) and the Center for Global Education and Exchange (CGEE), this program provides students with the opportunity to gain a global perspective while achieving their academic goals. You join a unique group of students whose adventure starts on the UH Hilo campus and extends to other shores during your undergraduate university experience. Participating in the program may result in taking more than 4 years to complete your degree, but with careful planning and by working closely with the program coordinator, we can alleviate that possibility.
What is Go Global?
First Year: Settle into college life
Your first year starts at UH Hilo, where you’ll get used to college life and being away from home. As an incoming College of Business and Economics (CoBE) student, you enroll in the Freshmen Business Business Experience Course (BUS 110). Only incoming CoBE students take BUS 110 Freshmen Business Experience (3) . This specially designed course delivers equal doses of learning about the business world and career and professional development. Each month, you meet with other CoBE Go Global Program participants and representatives from NSE and GCEE to discuss options to study on the mainland and abroad, to select the courses, and to make preparations for your voyage. Your choice depends on personal interests, the courses you choose, and travel destination.
Harley Broyles
"I've been in Hawaiʻi my whole life, growing up on the small island of Kauaʻi. I felt completely unexposed to the realities of our world, more or less our country. I wanted to see and experience life in the mainland, experience that culture, experience a school much larger than my own..."
- Harley Broyles
Second Year: Head to the mainland
Spend part or all of your second year experiencing a university on the mainland knowing that the courses you’re studying will transfer back to UH Hilo. Mainland exchange provides an opportunity to see and do things not possible in Hilo, like seeing football games in the fall and visiting tourist attractions in the area surrounding the university. A mainland exchange gives you a chance to make new friends and to take courses that are unique to the university and unavailable at UH Hilo. In the past, CoBE students have studied at the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, the University of Utah, and the University of Nevada - Las Vegas, to name just a few. At the same time, you can finalize plans for a study abroad experience.
Andrew Dawrs
"I spent my exchange at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. It was a great experience since it offered a diverse setting where there is a lot to do. I enjoyed the chance to experience a large university (30,000+ students) that is in a city but still surrounded by stunning natural beauty that offered a host of outdoor activities..."
- Andrew Dawrs
Third Year: See the rest of the world
During your third year at UH Hilo, you'll have the option to complete an internship with a local business, focus on completing core courses in the business major and participate in activities related to your degree concentration. You'll also take a course provided by CGEE that is designed to prepare you for your overseas study experience and all the challenges that living in a new culture affords and study overseas during the spring semester or summer. You have the opportunity to take unique courses like Wine Marketing (France) or Chinese Business Culture and Management (Hong Kong) as well as explore exotic cultures, learn new languages, try new foods and make new friends. Overseas study options for business students exist in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
"If you've never been to Korea, you should go there at least once! The study abroad program in Hanyang University was good. Our professors came from different universities like Indonesia, Los Angelos and San Diego. We have different class experiences with the professors from different universities... "
- Jiaqi Wu
Fourth Year: Launch your career
Your last year is spent at UH Hilo, where you focus on completing degree concentration course requirements and making preparations for the job market. You can start your job search by participating in the UH Hilo Career Fair during the fall and spring semesters. At graduation, you will wear a special sash acknowledging your Go Global Program achievement at commencement.
Program Costs
In most instances, students pay the same tuition rate and student fees that they would at UH Hilo. Students also should apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when applying for Go Global. Though attendance fees do not vary, the program does not cover travel and boarding expenses. Upon registering, you will work with a CGEE representative to explore more financial aid options. To view additional financial aid information while studying abroad, visit the Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities website.
How to Register
To register for the program Make an Appointment with Your CoBE Academic/Career Advisor. For any additional questions, contact CoBE Academic and Career Advisor,