<p>I'm a freshman currently enrolled in a four-year nursing program in Massachusetts. I have the opportunity to spend a semester away in either Cali or Hawaii - at either Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or University of Hawaii Manoa. </p>
<p>The semester I'm going away I'll just be doing gen-ed requirements - no serious nursing classes. I'm looking to have a good time at a good school and enjoy a different lifestyle. I want a nice campus close to the water with a decent (or great!) social scene. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Do you prefer a campus-based social scene, or are you ok with finding activities that are not necessarily campus-based? CPSLO is a predominantly residential school (98% of frosh in dorms), while UH Manoa has a large percentage of commuter students (55% of frosh in the dorms).</p>
<p>San Luis Obispo is a smaller city in central California, not really close to the major cities that are normally associated with California (e.g. San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno). The school does suggest ways to have fun in the area: <a href=“http://www.hcs.calpoly.edu/pulse/101_ways.html”>http://www.hcs.calpoly.edu/pulse/101_ways.html</a> . The beaches are about 11-13 miles away. Public transportation service to the beaches exists but is infrequent and slow.</p>
<p>UH Manoa is only a mile or two from beaches and hiking trails. Honolulu is the largest city in the state. Bus service is good, although slow if you want to go to the other side of the island.</p>
<p>Note that CPSLO is on the quarter system. 15 quarter units in the 10-week quarter will become 10 semester units. If you attend CPSLO for just one quarter, you may come up a few credit units short when transferring the credit back to your school if it is a semester system school.</p>
<p>Keep travel costs in mind, obviously Hawaii would be more. Hawaii generally has a higher cost of living, but having said that I think the experience in Hawaii would be fantastic. I do not know about the programs, but having visited both places numerous times I would choose the rainbow state. You will enjoy either location I am sure.</p>
<p>If you were looking to enroll for a degree one of these universities, I would recommend California. But since you’re doing a semester away, as someone who grew up on Oahu I would most definitely recommend Hawaii. </p>
<p>If you are on a budget, you should probably keep in mind that everything is much more expensive in Hawaii. Shoes that I bought in Texas for $15 would be at least $18 in Hawaii, from the exact same chain retailer. This applies to pretty much everything!</p>
<p>On the positive side, Hawaii has a truly unique history and culture. If you choose Manoa, you will have opportunities that are quite literally no where else in the world, particularly concerning history, anthropology, language, or geological studies.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! Hawaii is definitely my first choice.</p>
<p>I neglected to mention that the program I’m studying away with also hosts students at UH Hilo in addition to UH Manoa. I originally had my heart set on Manoa, but getting in and getting the classes I would need I’ve heard can be difficult so I’m trying to keep my options open.</p>
<p>How is UH Hilo? What’s the area/school/social scene like there?</p>
<p>I went to UH-Manoa. Hilo is much much waaaaay smaller than Honolulu. To me Hilo is pretty depressing because it rains a lot there. I think UH-Hilo is more for local kids and UH-Manoa has much more kids from the mainland and all over the world.</p>
<p>If you’re given the choice between UH Hilo and Cal Poly SLO, choose SLO. Very nice area, virtually every student lives on or near campus, and there’s a ton of things to do, most of which are designed with college students in mind. </p>