2026 summer study tours - applications now open!

Apply to travel with PAAC in summer 2026 - scholarships available

PAac is proud to present two study tour opportunities:

1) The Freeman Summer Study Tour to TAIWAN, and

2) The Takitani Summer Study Tour to Palau

🇹🇼 freeman summer Study Tour to taiwan 🇹🇼

“Linking Legacies, Forging Futures”

PAAC is excited to announce that applications for our 2026 Freeman Summer Study Tour to Taiwan are now being accepted. Under the theme “Linking Legacies, Forging Futures”, students will explore how Taiwan links its cultural legacies with a vision for the future. Visits to Taiwan National Dong Hwa University’s Indigenous Studies department and the National Museum of Prehistory will highlight how ancestral knowledge continues to guide Taiwan’s evolving society. From uncovering stories of art, resilience, and democracy at the National Palace Museum, Anping Fort, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the 228 Memorial Museum, participants will gain insight into how history shapes national identity. This journey invites students to think about how heritage and innovation together forge a dynamic and connected future across the Asia-Pacific.

Thanks to the generosity of The Freeman Foundation, the majority of participants with demonstrated financial need and/or demonstrated commitment to PAAC programs have received merit- and/or need-based financial aid for this program.

program dates: 

1. Virtual Parent Information Meeting: Thurs., April 16, 2026 (evening)

2. Virtual Pre-Trip Workshop: Thurs., May 7, 2026 (evening) 

3. In-Person Pre-Trip Orientation: June 1-3, 2026 (9AM-6PM)

4. Travel Dates: June 6-19, 2026✈️

5. Group Presentation: Friday in September or October (afternoon/evening)

   Please note, all 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.  

Who can apply? 

All current 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (2025-2026 SY) attending Hawaiʻi public, charter, private, and independent schools are eligible to apply.

How much does the trip cost? Are travel scholarships available? 

Travel scholarships are available! The cost of the program is estimated to be around $4200-$4500. However, most students do not pay full cost. Participants accepted into the program will be required to make a non-refundable deposit of $500 to secure their place in the study tour. Payment plans will be available to accepted students.

Thanks to the generosity of The Freeman Foundation, in recent years the majority of participants with demonstrated financial need and/or demonstrated commitment to PAAC programs have received merit- and/or need-based financial aid. In most cases, 50-100% of the trip can be covered.

To apply, parents must fill out the Financial Information section on the Parent Form. Applicants who are awarded must submit documentation to support their application. The scholarship cannot be used to pay for the trip deposit. Students who have already participated in a Freeman Summer Study Tour to either Korea (2023), Japan (2024), or Vietname (2025) will not be eligible to receive a scholarship.

PAAC is open to dialogue and further discussion regarding any financial barriers for students to join our Study Tour. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Carol Li <paac@paachawaii.org> or 808-944-7784. We highly encourage students to apply first if they are interested and decide afterwards once acceptance letters with financial aid packages are awarded.

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🇵🇼 takitani summer Study Tour to palau 🇵🇼

“Honoring Oceans, Inspiring Change”

PAAC is thrilled to announce that applications for our 2026 Takitani Summer Study Tour to Palau are now being accepted. Under the theme “Honoring Oceans, Inspiring Change”, students will explore how indigenous wisdom and modern sustainability efforts work hand in hand to protect Palau’s environment and vibrant culture. From experiencing the Rock Islands, a symbol of Palau’s ocean stewardship, to learning about traditional leadership at Melekeok Bai and meeting students and youth leaders, participants will experience how caring for the ocean is both a cultural value and a global responsibility. This journey challenges students to reflect on their own role in sustaining Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems, communities, and future.

Thanks to the generosity of The Mamoru & Aiko Takitani Foundation merit- and/or need-based financial aid is available for this program.

program dates: 

1. Virtual Parent Information Meeting: Thurs., April 30, 2026 (evening)

2. Virtual Pre-Trip Workshop: Mon., May 18, 2026 (evening) 

3. In-Person Pre-Trip Orientation: June 2-4, 2026 (9AM-6PM)

4. Travel Dates: June 20-29, 2026✈️

5. Digital Media Projects & Presentation: September or October (afternoon/evening)

   Please note, all 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.  

Who can apply? 

All current 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (2025-2026 SY) attending Hawaiʻi public, charter, private, and independent schools are eligible to apply.

How much does the trip cost? Are travel scholarships available? 

Travel scholarships are available! The cost of the program is estimated to be around $4500-$5000. However, most students do not pay full cost. Participants accepted into the program will be required to make a non-refundable deposit of $500 to secure their place in the study tour. Payment plans will be available to accepted students.

Thanks to the generosity of The Mamoru & Aiko Takitani Foundation, scholarships will be provided based on demonstrated financial need and/or demonstrated commitment to PAAC programs. In most cases, 50-100% of the trip can be covered.

To apply, parents must fill out the Financial Information section on the Parent Form. Applicants who are awarded must submit documentation to support their application. The scholarship cannot be used to pay for the trip deposit. 

PAAC is open to dialogue and further discussion regarding any financial barriers for students to join our Study Tour. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Carol Li <paac@paachawaii.org> or 808-944-7784. We highly encourage students to apply first if they are interested and decide afterwards once acceptance letters with financial aid packages are awarded.

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How to Apply to either/both study tours? 

1. Review the Student Application Form carefully and fill it out. Double check your work!

2. Get your High School Transcript (unofficial transcripts are fine)

3. Write two Short Essay Responses (~300-500 words each, no more than 1000 words total)

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

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

   • 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.

4. Have your parents fill out the Parent Form

5. Ask two adults that are not related to you to fill out the Teacher/Adult Recommendations (due on Thurs. January 15, 2026)

Please read through the entire application carefully before getting started. Using a Gmail email is preferred while filling out the application.

It is not PAAC’s responsibility to follow-up on incomplete applications - please be thorough! If you have ANY questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Carol Li as early as possible.

When are the applications due?

📅 Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:59PM.

All of the following items are due by the deadline:

1. Student Application Form

2. Transcript

3. Two Short Essay Responses

4. Parent Form

Teachers can submit their Teacher Recommendation Form until Jan. 15th.

Student applicants are responsible to make sure all their materials are in. Students must provide their parents/guardians and teacher/adult recommenders with the proper links to the forms and ensure that they get it done. It is not PAAC’s responsibility to follow-up on incomplete applications.

All materials must be submitted on-time to be eligible. Incomplete or late applications will NOT be considered.

what happens on a paac study tour?

PAAC has organized Study Tours to the Asia-Pacific for Hawaiʻi high school students since 2004, changing the lives of hundreds of participants. To get a better idea of what actually happens on the Study Tour and how students are impacted by the trip, click on the links below to read about our most recent Freeman Summer Study Tour (2025) to Vietnam, or watch the 2024 Japan Study Tour Student Vlog.

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what if i have questions or concerns? 

Remember, there are no irrelevant questions! If something is unclear or you are facing a challenge in the application process, reach out! The sooner you contact us, the sooner you can have an answer and complete your application. Contact: Study Tours Director, Ms. Carol Li, <paac@paachawaii.org> or 808-944-7784. More information about PAAC Study Tours is available on our Study Tours page.