With bright eyes and big dreams, students at James Campbell High School recently embarked on an exciting journey to explore various colleges and universities, gaining first-hand insights into the world of higher education.
On September 17, 2024, 30 students from the Campbell’s Academy of Creative Media were given the unique opportunity to tour the University Hawai’i West Oahu campus.
The campus tour, part of a partnership between University Hawai’i West Oahu and James Campbell’s Academy of Creative Media, aimed to provide students with a glimpse into the college experience and offer insights into what the university has to offer. The initiative was designed to inspire these young creatives to explore higher education options, particularly those aligned with their media-related interests.
During their visit, the students explored different parts of the campus. They also had the chance to learn about the diverse range of majors and courses available, helping them to better understand the academic paths they could pursue in the future.
To further illustrate the impact of the University of West Hawai’i West Oahu tour on the Academy of Creative Media students, several of them shared their personal experience. Jenna Manglallan, an Academy of Creative Media student, reflected on the tour, expressing how it reshaped her expectations of college life.
When asked, “Was the campus atmosphere different from what you imagined it to be?” she responded, “Absolutely yes. Before going on the tour, I knew they give you much more freedom than they would in high school.”
She went on to explain how her perspective evolved after seeing the campus firsthand. “Once I actually got to see the campus and the students there, it made me realize that they have much more freedom than I thought. Seeing things like the student hangout rooms, the library, and even the cafes really just changed my perspective on college life,” she said. Manglallan’s experience highlighted the flexibility and opportunities at UH West Oahu contrasted with the structured environment of high school leaving a lasting impression on the students.
Alyssa Flores, another Academy of Creative Media student shared how the visit to UH West Oahu helped shape her next steps in pursuing higher education. “My next step after visiting UH West Oahu is definitely researching more about the whole college process,” she said.
She expressed her determination to keep her options open, noting that she plans to dive deeper into the opportunities provided by different colleges. “From the presentation, I learned a lot about all the different programs, pathways, and scholarships that each college has to offer. So, I want to keep my options open for any future opportunities and definitely research more on them so I can choose the right college for my major,” she added. The visit served as an important stepping stone in her journey toward selecting the best academic path to support her creative ambitions.
Hekili Lewis, another student from the Academy of Creative Media shared his overall impression of UH West Oahu, highlighting the professionalism and welcoming atmosphere of the campus. “My overall impression of the college was that everything and everyone was so professional,” he said. From the moment the group of students arrived, they were made to feel comfortable and valued as prospective students.
He also appreciated how UH West Oahu allowed them to get an immersive experience. “They made us feel comfortable and welcome. They allowed us to view and interact with their students and facilities,” he said. The open and engaging environment left a positive impression on the students, giving them a genuine sense of what life at UH West Oahu could be like. This firsthand exposure to college life proved to be a key takeaway for the group, leaving them more informed and inspired about their futures.
