The Big Island, Hawai'i

Program Dates

The program aligns with the second 8-week session of PCC's Spring 2024 semester. Following Spring Break, the first 4 weeks of the program will be held on the PCC campus. The last 3 weeks (not including finals week) will be conducted in the field, while traveling around the Big Island of Hawai'i.The group will then return to PCC for Final's Week.

• April 22: Classes start at PCC
• May 15: Group flight departs Los Angeles for Hawai'i 
• May 15: Arrive in Hawai'i, transfer to first destination
• May 16 - June 4: Classes continue in Hawai'i
• June 5: Group flight departs Hawai'i for Los Angeles
• Final's Week: Group meets at PCC for final project presentations 

Program Fees

$1,950 (airfare included) 

Excludes PCC tuition. Based on a minimum enrollment of 20 students.

Program Fee Includes:

• Roundtrip airfare (LAX – Kona – LAX)
• Transportation around the island
• Lodging
• Meals
• Entrance to parks and museums
• Some special activities - ziplining, horseback riding, kayaking
• Liability insurance

Program fee does not include:

• PCC course registration fees
• Textbooks
• Personal camping and beach gear
• Personal expenses
• Optional trip interruption or cancellation insurance

Item:	Fee:	Deadline:
Enrollment Deposit	$450.00	Due immediately upon acceptance into program
Balance of Fees	$1,500.00	March 3, 2024
Total	$1,950.00
Optional Components:	Fee:	Deadline:
Trip Interruption or Cancellation Insurance	varies	varies

All students must submit the $450 deposit upon acceptance into the program and when completing the online enrollment application. Subsequent payments may be made by check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to “AIFS” (American Institute for Foreign Study). American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

AIFS will charge a $35 returned check fee on each check returned by the bank for insufficient funds.  

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Airfare

Airfare and ground transportation are included in the program fee. All participants are expected to travel with the group unless they have been granted a special exemption by PCC Study Abroad.  

Group air tickets are exclusively on scheduled airlines (not charters). They are not endorsable to another carrier. Flights cannot be re-routed, and frequent flyer miles are not applicable. Once airline tickets have been issued to students, they can only be changed directly with the issuing agent – agent and airline-imposed penalties apply. 

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Program Refund Policy

If a student withdraws on or before Tuesday, February 13, 2024, they will receive a refund for all fees paid less a $150 processing fee.  

If a student withdraws after Tuesday, February 13, 2024, but on or before Friday, March 8, 2024, they will receive a refund for all fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf.

After Friday, March 8, 2024, the total program fee is due and no refund will be given.

After Friday, March 8, 2024, the full program fee is due to AIFS even if you have not yet paid and no longer plan to participate in the program.

Non-refundable financial commitments have been made to secure your spot. If a participant withdrawals once the program has begun, there is no refund.

This refund policy applies whether a participant pays AIFS Abroad directly for all, part, or no program fees. 

Courses

Participants must enroll in the following program courses:

Course No.	Course Name	Units
ENGL 001C	Intermediate Composition - Critical Thinking & Argument	4
ENGL 009	Creative Non-Fiction	3
ENVS 001	Introduction to Environmental Science	4
ENVS 002	Human Impact on the Environment	3

* All courses are CSU/UC transferable.* Honors Program credit for those who qualify

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Project Pele

Project Pele (Pele refers to the goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands) is an 8-week interdisciplinary program for PCC students. Students will take 4 courses and a total of 14 transferable units. Following Spring Break, the first 4 weeks of the program will be held on the PCC campus. The last 3 weeks (not including finals week) will be conducted in the field, while traveling around the Big Island of Hawai'i. Spending time in nature (volcanoes, beaches, forests, and farms) helps us to witness for ourselves the importance of ecological relationships and the interconnectedness of species. Our English and science courses are designed to be interwoven. We will study environmental science and human impacts on nature and apply sustainability principles in our daily activities. Students will practice critical thinking while honing their writing skills, both creative and academic. Our PCC learning community will enhance our "life skills" as we learn to live, eat, explore, and have fun with "Aloha ‘āina (Hawaiian, meaning love and stewardship of the land).

Program Faculty

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Meals & Accommodations

Our community cohort will prepare most of our delicious, family-style, vegetarian meals. Buffet dinners will be provided while staying at Kilauea Military Camp.

Shared Lodging

• Multi-bunk quarters at Kilauea Military Camp & Kalopa State Park
• Hostel in Captain Cook (room types vary)
• Indoor camping at Casa Aloha in Hamakua

Excursions & Activities

The group will visit a variety of sites, including State Parks, educational centers, ranches/farms, monuments, beaches, forests, mountains, and volcanoes. Activities include kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, ziplining, and so much more!

Some activities may involve an additional fee.

Financial Aid may be available to those who qualify. Grants, loans, and scholarships may be used to pay program fees.

Apply immediately. You should allow up to eight weeks for your financial aid request to be processed.

More About Financial Aid options at PCC