Albin’s Student Story
Why I Love Studying in Hawaii
Who am I?
Published: 28/3/25. / Author : Albin Lennartsson
Hi! My name is Albin Lennartsson, and I’m a 22-year-old student from Sweden, currently living
my dream life in Hawaii.
I’ve been studying here for the past two years, and it’s honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Outside of school, you’ll most likely find me
out in the water surfing or just soaking up the sun. Hawaii has quickly become my second
home, and I’m excited to share my story with future students thinking about studying here as
well.
My Journey to Hawai’i
After graduating high school in Sweden, I knew I wasn’t ready to settle down just yet, I
wanted to see the world. That dream first led me to LA, where I spent a year studying at Santa Monica College. While LA had its moments, and was really fun and exciting I realized pretty quickly that the big city life wasn’t quite my vibe. Therefore, I started looking for something smaller, calmer, and more connected to nature. That’s when I discovered that Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) was offering scholarships for students at Santa Monica college and everything changed.
Moving to Hawaii was like hitting the reset button in the best way possible. The community at HPU is incredibly welcoming, and the natural beauty on the island Oahu is something you never really get used to, but in a good way.
Student Life in
Hawai’i
One of the best parts of being here has been learning how to surf. I had never surfed before coming to Hawaii, but now I go out 3-4 times a week. There’s just something magical about
being out in the ocean. Surfing has taught me patience, discipline, and how to enjoy the moment. Honestly, it’s hard to have a bad day when you start your morning catching waves.
What surprised me the most about Hawaii is how kind and laid-back everyone is. It didn’t take long to feel at home here. When you hear about Hawaii, you hear about the Aloha spirit and I did not really believe that it was a real thing.
However, There really is a genuine aloha spirit that flows through everything here, whether you’re grabbing coffee at a local café or chatting with someone in class. And the warm, sunny weather definitely doesn’t hurt.
Things I Wish I Knew
If I could give past me some advice, it would be to pack light and stay open-minded. You don’t actually need much here. In my opinion, flip flops, sunscreen, and a good attitude go a long way.
However, one thing I do recommend is to bring a light jacket. If there is a rainy and stormy day or if you are going island hopping and are camping somewhere you really wish you brought that light jacket, trust me. Also another recommendation I have is to try new things and put yourself out there. Whether it’s hiking a mountain, joining a running club, orlearning to surf, Hawaii rewards those who explore.
My Reccomendations
Favorite Beach
Waimea bay is perfect for a beach day with friends.
Travel Tip
Inter-island flights are cheap—take a weekend trip to Kauai or the Big
Island if you get the chance!
Favorite hikes
Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail is a must-do!
Why I reccomend studying in Hawai’i
Studying in Hawaii has been much more than just an education. I came here looking for
something smaller, something more personal, and I found a community, a lifestyle, and a
whole new outlook on life. If you’re thinking about coming here, I can’t recommend it
enough!!
The Best.
//Albin
Other Stories
All international students are very different from each other, but something everyone shares is the excitement of experiencing something new.
Get to know more about our story and all the unique stories from all the visiting, exchange, and international degree-seeking students that Try Out the Waters is based on.
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