2026 Summer Study Tours - Student Application Form

PAAC Summer Study Tours 2026: Student Application Form

Thank you for your interest in traveling to Taiwan or Palau with the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council (PAAC)!

All high school students from across Hawai‘i are eligible to serve as ambassadors of Hawai‘i on a Summer Study Tour to one of the following destinations:

Taiwan: June 6-19, 2026
Palau: June 20-29, 2026

Please Note: Selected students will be assigned to one destination

Who Can Apply:

Current 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (2025–2026 School Year) attending Hawaiʻi public, charter, private, and independent schools are eligible to apply.

This unique opportunity allows students to be immersed in the rich history, politics, and culture of Taiwan or Palau. Students will also learn about global issues, strengthen skills, and build a strong sense of community.

Cost & Financial Aid:

Estimated Cost: Approximately $4200–$5000.
Required Deposit: Participants accepted into the program must make a non-refundable deposit of $500 to secure their place.
Scholarships: Scholarships are generously provided by the Freeman and Takitani Foundations.
- In recent years, the majority of participants with demonstrated financial need and/or commitment to PAAC programs have received aid, with 50–100% of the trip often covered.
- To apply for scholarship, parents must fill out the Financial Information section on the Parent Form.
- The scholarship cannot be used to pay for the trip deposit.
- Students who have already participated in a Freeman Summer Study Tour to Japan (2024) or Vietnam (2025) are not eligible to receive a scholarship for the Freeman Taiwan Study Tour - they may receive a scholarship for Palau.
- Applicants awarded scholarships must submit documentation to support their application.

How to Apply:

Read the full application before starting
Prepare any required documents before you begin
Prepare your answers in advance. You may not be able to save your work and return to finish the application later.
Have your parent/guardian sign and complete the contact information at the end of application.
Each applicant must request two recommendations from non-relatives who know them well and can speak to their readiness for this program.

Deadlines:

Application and Parent Form (excluding teacher recommendations) due Monday, January 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM HST
Teacher recommendations are due Thursday, January 15, 2026
Incomplete applications will not be considered

Expectations:

As part of the program, you will be expected to write in a group travel blog while conducting yourself with the highest level of professionalism as you will be representing Hawaiʻi while abroad.

Program Dates (Pre & Post Trip):

Participation in this program requires attendance on *ALL* program dates. PAAC will work with students outside of O'ahu to arrange transport and lodging during the in-person pre-trip orientation.

Taiwan Study Tour	Palau Study Tour
Virtual Parent Information Meeting: Thurs. April 16, 2026 (evening) Virtual Pre-Trip Workshop: Thurs. May 7, 2026 (evening) In-Person Pre-Trip Orientation: June 1-3 2026 (9AM-6PM) Travel Dates: June 6-19, 2026 Group Presentation: Friday in September or October (afternoon/evening)	Virtual Parent Information Meeting: Thurs. April 30, 2026 (evening) Virtual Pre-Trip Workshop: Mon. May 18, 2026 (evening) In-Person Pre-Trip Orientation: June 2-4 2025 (9AM-6PM) Travel Dates: June 20-29, 2026 Digital Media Projects & Presentation in September or October (afternoon/evening

All program dates listed above (except travel dates) are tentative and will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Questions & Resources

Learn more about the Study Tour here: 2026 Summer Study Tours

Questions? Contact Ms. Carol Li, Study Tours Director

Email: paac@paachawaii.org
Phone: (808) 944-7784
Instagram: @carol.ssaem

Email Suggestion: Submit a personal email address (Gmail preferred) since some school accounts block outside messages. Check your email often for important updates.

SECTION 1: BASIC INFORMATION
Email*
example@example.com
Name*

First NameLast Name
Name that you would like to be called if different from first name listed
High School (If not listed, please click "add option" to type in your current school)*
Current Grade Level (2025-2026 School Year)*

9th10th11th12th
Do you currently have a passport that will be valid to at least January 2027?*

YesNo (You will have to apply by February)
Do you have any commitments in April 2026 - October 2026 that may prevent you from being available during all program dates listed at the beginning of this form?*

Yes, I have a conflict with these datesNo, I do not have any conflicts

SECTION 2: PERSONAL INFORMATION

The following questions will deal with some details about you. All information will be held confidential.
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Gender *

WomanManNon-binary/Third genderAnother gender
If you selected "another gender" and feel comfortable, please share how you identify.
Preferred Pronouns
(ex: she/her, he/him, they/them, he/they, etc.)
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Country of Citizenship*
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, do you have a valid permanent resident card or other current, legal residence status?*

YesNoN/A - I am a U.S. Citizen
Do you have your parent/guardian’s permission to apply for this international travel opportunity?*

YesNo

SECTION 3: EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
What extracurricular, work, or volunteer activities do you participate in regularly? What leadership positions, if any, do you hold?*
What hobbies, skills, or areas of special knowledge or expertise do you have?*
Let us know what you like to do and what you think you are good at. This is just for us to get to know you more.
What experience do you have traveling, living, or studying outside of Hawaiʻi if you have any?*
Include location, purpose, and length of time.
In what ways have you been involved with PAAC?

Club OfficerClub MemberGlobal Vision Summit (GVS) AttendeeAcademic WorldQuest Competition (AWQ) CompetitorStudy Tour ParticipantGlobal Issues Certificate ParticipantAfter-School Global Studies Class (ASGSC) StudentN/A
Have you ever been involved in disciplinary action at school or elsewhere? If so, please describe briefly. *
Put none or N/A if you have not been involved in disciplinary action.

SECTION 4: TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
We require two recommendations from adults (non-relatives) who know you well in an educational or extracurricular context (e.g., teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, manager). These recommenders should be able to speak to your suitability for an immersive study tour program. Please provide the name and title of these two adults who will complete the Teacher Recommendation Form on your behalf; PAAC is collecting their contact information for follow-up or clarification, if needed.

Applicant Responsibility
- You are responsible for providing your recommenders with the link to the form and ensuring they complete it by the deadline.
- Re-applicants from the 2026 Sister-State Study Tour: If you are using the same recommenders as your previous application, you must re-input their contact information in this section, but they do NOT need to fill out another recommendation form. We will apply your teacher recs from the Sister-State Study Tours to this new application (if desired).
Recommender #1 - First & Last Name, Title, School/Organization*
Ex: Carol Li, Study Tours Director, PAAC
Recommender #1's Email*
example@example.com
Recommender #1's Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Recommender #2 - First & Last Name, Title, School/Organization*
Recommender #2's Email*
example@example.com
Recommender #2's Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.

SECTION 5: SHORT ESSAY

500-1000 words. Help us get to know you, your goals, and your vision as a student ambassador for Hawai‘i.
Freeman Taiwan Short Essay Prompt

1. Why are you interested in traveling to Taiwan? What do you hope to gain from this experience? How will your participation contribute to the program and other participants?

As we will be visiting indigenous communities in Taiwan, please elaborate on your knowledge of or experience with Hawaiian culture.

2. Describe your involvement in PAAC activities (for PAAC students) and/or other internationally focused activities, such as travel, Model UN, school clubs, volunteering, community events, etc. How have these experiences inspired you, shaped your global perspective, or affected your view of the world?

If your experience with internationally-focused activities is limited, tell us how and why you became curious about the world.
FREEMAN TAIWAN SHORT ESSAY UPLOAD

Label your file as: [First Name Last Name] - 2026 SS ST Written Essay (Example: Carol Li - 2026 SS ST Written Essay)
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Takitani Palau Short Essay Prompt

1. Why are you interested in traveling to Palau? What do you hope to gain from this experience? How will your participation contribute to the program and other participants?

As we will be visiting indigenous communities in Palau, please elaborate on your knowledge of or experience with Hawaiian culture.

2. Describe your involvement in PAAC activities (for PAAC students) and/or other internationally focused activities, such as travel, Model UN, school clubs, volunteering, community events, etc. How have these experiences inspired you, shaped your global perspective, or affected your view of the world?

If your experience with internationally-focused activities is limited, tell us how and why you became curious about the world.
TAKITANI PALAU SHORT ESSAY UPLOAD

Label your file as: [First Name Last Name] - 2026 SS ST Written Essay (Example: Carol Li - 2026 SS ST Written Essay)
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If you used AI while working on this essay, please briefly explain how it supported your writing process. 💡 Reminder: We want to hear your voice. AI can help you brainstorm or edit, but it should not write your whole essay. Be honest about your use of AI because integrity matters for this program. Using AI to write your entire essay or lying about your usage may disqualify your application. We will be running your essay through an AI detector. *
Put N/A or none if you did not use AI.

SECTION 6: HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

To ensure you are in good academic standing to miss 3-4 days of school during the first week of 4th Quarter to participate on this Study Tour. An unofficial copy is acceptable.
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT UPLOAD

Label your file as: [First Name Last Name] - 2026 SS ST Transcript (Example: Carol Li - 2026 SS ST Transcript)
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OPTIONAL: If you faced any hardships that may have resulted in an undesirable grade for a class, please use this space to explain your situation at the time.

SECTION 7: TRAVEL INFORMATION

If you are applying for both Study Tours, please rank the Study Tour destinations in order of your preference. We will consider your preferences, but you may be assigned your second choice and should be willing to represent Hawai‘i in any of the destinations.

	Top Choice (1)	Second Choice (2)
Taiwan
Palau

Do you speak or understand any of the languages spoken at our destinations? *
Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, Chinese, Palauan
Do you speak ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian)?*
Have you traveled to Taiwan or Palau before? If so, where did you go? *
Do you have any food allergies? If so, please share how severe it is.*
Are you prone to motion sickness? If so, please share how severe it is.*
Anything else you'd like us to know?*
Traveling is a big step. Is there anything we should know to best support you before or during the trip? Your answer will not affect selection and is only for planning purposes.
Do you have training or experience with photography or videography?*
We are looking for trip documentarians to create content.
How did you hear about this opportunity?*
Do you have any questions?

By signing below, I certify that all information provided in this application is true and accurate. If selected, I am willing to fully commit to and participate in this program.
Student Signature

Clear
Signature Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Email*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
By signing here, I give permission for my child to apply for and, if selected, participate fully in this program.

Clear
Signature Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

PAAC Summer Study Tours 2026: Student Application Form

SECTION 1: BASIC INFORMATION

SECTION 2: PERSONAL INFORMATION

SECTION 3: EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

SECTION 4: TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS

SECTION 5: SHORT ESSAY

SECTION 6: HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

SECTION 7: TRAVEL INFORMATION