UH Mānoa / MIX

Are you a University of Hawaii at Mānoa student thinking about studying abroad? Then this post is for you! 

Note: I decided to study abroad through the Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) Program, which is why this post has more information about MIX.

Explore your options

  • Start early! Most applications are due the semester before and the application process takes time.
    • MIX: Fall/Academic Year priority deadline February 1st & Spring deadline September 1st
    • Study Abroad Center: Fall deadline April 1st, Spring deadline October 15th, Summer deadline February 17th
  • Research the study abroad options through Manoa International Exchange (MIX) and UH Manoa’s Study Abroad Center.


  • Research program requirements
    • MIX: Sophomore standing, 3.0+ cumulative GPA
    • Study Abroad: Cumulative GPA 3.0+ (lower GPAs will be considered), strong English writing skills, fluency in English, & successful completion of course prerequisites. Non-native English speakers must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last 2 years & scored 600+ or have taken the UHM ELI placement exam.
  • Research program costs
    • Costs vary depending on location, duration, and program (MIX or Study Abroad Center)
  • Are you in Shidler? If so, make an appointment with Rikki Mitsunaga in B101 by calling (808) 956-8215 or email her at rikki.mitsunaga@hawaii.edu.
  • Make an advising appointment
    • MIX: Go to walk-in advising at the MIX office in QLC 206 Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 1:30pm-3:30pm or call (808) 956-4728 or email uhmix@hawaii.edu.
    • Study Abroad: Visit the office in Moore 115 weekdays 9:00am-4:30pm or call (808) 956-5143.

MIX Application Process

  1. Complete Online Application
  2. Passport Copy
    1. Email to uhmix@hawaii.edu (JPG or PDF)
    2. Must be valid for at least 6 months after your term abroad
    3. Apply for or renew your passport at the UH Ticket, Information, & ID Office in Campus Center 212 or visit travel.state.gov.
      1. Passport Book & Passport Card Fee: payment needs to be in the form of check or money order (made out to the U.S. Department of State).
      2. Execution Fee: $25 payable by cash or card.
      3. Passport Photo: $5 (UHM student with validated ID) or $8 (non-UH student)
  3. Statement of Purpose
    1. NOT required for MIX summer programs
    2. Heading: MIX Statement of Purpose, Your Name, UH ID Number, Term Abroad
    3. Maximum length: 1 page (500 words)
    4. Email to uhmix@hawaii.edu (Word or PDF)
    5. Address the following questions:
      1. Which MIX Partner Universities interest you and why?
      2. How does MIX fit into your academic plan?
      3. Why are you a good candidate for the international exchange?
      4. Why do you want to study abroad?

Partner University Nomination Steps

  • Applicants will receive Nomination and Next Steps in an email following their acceptance into a MIX program.
  • Being nominated to a MIX Partner University means that you have been deemed qualified for one of the available exchange spaces at that university. MIX has officially nominated you to the Partner University and provided some basic information about you (name, major, etc.).
  • Factors considered for MIX Nomination: GPA, academic area, class level, space available, and the balance between inbound and outbound exchange students at each partner university.
  • Keeping an open mind about your nomination: all MIX Partner Universities are excellent, so you will be in good hands no matter where you go.
  • MIX Summer Programs: only students going on “Regular Exchange” programs need to be officially nominated to the Partner University before going on to Next Steps. Students going on “Independent” programs can go on to Next Steps without a nomination.

Next Steps

  • Once you have been nominated to a MIX Partner University, you must complete that university's application process for exchange students. 
  • Important: Your "Nomination & Next Steps" email will contain detailed instructions on how and when to complete the application process for your partner university. Follow the instructions carefully and submit your application materials to the partner university on time. Let the MIX staff know if you need help.
  • Each university has a different application process - some have online applications, while others require you to send forms and documents in the mail. Some universities require letters of recommendation, while others do not. Many universities require official transcripts, ID photographs, health forms, etc.
  • Once you have been nominated to a MIX Partner University, go to MIX Pre-Departure Information.

ESC Rennes School of Business Application (France)

  1. Application - signed and stamped by UH (see MIX advisor)
  2. Motivation Letter (Statement of Purpose)
  3. Photocopy of passport
  4. Passport photo
  5. CV (Resume)
  6. List of preferred classes
    1. Petition classes for credit transfer back to UH
      1. 1 course at ESC Rennes (5 ECTS) = 1 course at UH (3 credits)
      2. Turn in petition forms and syllabi to Shidler B101
    2. Meet with MIX advisor for additional information about program requirements & Rikki about your individual graduation requirements
  7. Official transcript
    2. Turn in to the Registrar’s Office in QLC 010
    3. Pay $5 for for standard request or $15 for a rushed request
      1. Cash, Visa/MasterCard, check/money order payable to “University of Hawaii”
  • Additional Requirements for Transfer Credit Students
  1. Official certificate provided by UH certifying your level of oral and written business English language skills equivalent to IBT TOEFL = 79
  2. French certificate (if electives in French are chosen) equivalent to a B2 level
  • Additional Requirements for Double Diploma Students
  1. IBT TOEFL = 79, computer based = 213, paper based = 550 / TOEIC = 750 / IELTS = 6.5


Getting Your Visa (France)

** Start this ASAP! Visa processing takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks. If you're planning any other international travels before you go to France (I went to Taiwan for 2 months of summer before leaving for France) you'll need to get your passport back before you leave. 
  1. Find your state’s General Consulate of France in the U.S. Hawaii’s is San Francisco, so travel arrangements must be made well in advance.
  2. Register and obtain an “Attestation” from CampusFrance prior to applying for a visa.
    1. $100 fee
  3. Make an appointment at your assigned Consulate.
  4. Prepare required documents.
    1. Original passport or travel document
    2. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a valid U.S. permanent residence card (“green card”) or a valid U.S. visa with a valid I-94 or I-20
    3. Proof of residence (i.e. driver’s license issued in state falling within consulate’s district, lease or rental agreement in applicant’s name, valid student ID card issued by university within consulate’s district)
    4. Processing fee of U.S. equivalent of €50
    5. Application form (English version)
    6. Passport photo (glued/stapled onto application form)
    7. “Attestation” from CampusFrance

Note: Make sure you get the "Étudiante" visa if you want to get a housing allowance (CAF) from the French government. I thought I applied for the student aka Étudiante visa but ended up getting the "Long Sejour Temporaire."

Pre-Departure Planning

  • Attend mandatory pre-departure orientation
  • Apply for health insurance
  • Register for placeholder course IS099 for semester abroad
    • IS099 is a ‘variable credit’ and defaults to 1 credit. You must manually increase the credits in MyUH (12 credits for Undergraduates or 8 credits for Graduates)

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