I have been attending Brigham Young University – Hawaii for the past two years. Brigham Young University – Hawaii, BYU-H for short, has presented many unique opportunities, but the most prevalent is being part of an incredibly diverse campus. On an average day of walking around campus, I hear at least five different languages a day: Tahitian, Tagalog, Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese are only a few.

BYU H is not a party school in the way most people think of a party school, but it is a very fun place to go to University. The school offers to the students a lot of activities and the opportunity to get to know other cultures. This makes BYU Hawaii and unique kind of party school.

As a result of this mix of cultures, BYU-H is very different from other schools on the mainland (how locals refer to the rest of the states). In the USA, people generally think of wild raves where everyone gets wasted, as seen in many late 90’ and early 2000’s teen films (e.g. 10 Thing I Hate About You – which is always in my recently watched on Disney+), but that mainland American view doesn’t dictate the social life here at BYU-H. That said, most people wouldn’t define BYU-H as a party school, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a social atmosphere for the students. 

Here are my 10 ways BYU-H parties differently:

1. You’re in Paradise

This is first because it’s probably what everyone’s thinking about anyways – this school is LITERALLY in paradise. The beach is about a five-minute walk from the center of campus and the #1 Tourist Attraction on the island, the Polynesian Cultural Center, is neighbors with the school. In addition to the main tourist attractions, going to school on the island gives students plenty of time to explore. 

I’ll be the first to admit, that students at BYU-H don’t spend all their time at the beach – even though our social media accounts show otherwise. Weekdays are generally spent on campus, but on weekends, the library closes early and no one can be found just walking around the buildings. Why? Because everyone is at the beach, on a hike, or getting lost in some new adventure. 

2. The Aloha Spirit and The Hawaiian Culture

When students come out, they can be completely immersed in the Hawaiian culture. The entire community is so loving and caring as service and incredible kindness is the Hawaiian way. At school, it is common to smile and wave at people you don’t know personally, since everyone is considered Ohana (the Hawaiin word meaning “family”). It is very common for students to invite each other to random activities, like hikes, when they just met.

3. Many Different Cultures Makes BYU-H Unique

As the most diverse school in the U.S., BYU-H highly encourages and has programs in place for international students. As previously mentioned, the campus is next to the Polynesian Cultural Center (a.k.a. – the PCC). The PCC gives a look into several Polynesian cultures and engulfs you in the experience. The PCC has six villages that represent different island nations and cultures: Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji, and Hawaii.

The PCC also employs students at BYU-H. This is because over 700 BYU-H students supplement their education by working at BYU-H. A lot of the students that work there have the opportunity to represent their own culture and their genuine love for the culture adds to the authenticity of the overall experience. 

4. It Is About Clubs – Not Clubbing

In continuation with the theme of cultural diversity, the school has many clubs that highlight the cultures, for example, the Tahitian Club, the Tongan Club, the Fijian Club, Latin America Club, etc. There are also clubs for hobbies such as Ballroom Dance, Scuba Club, and Hip Hop Club. During both Food Fest and Cultural Night, these clubs can participate and as a group represents their specific culture.

Food Fest is an event that allows clubs to raise money for their future activities by selling some sort of food. For example, the Korean club has its signature rice burgers. Some clubs will even perform at the event instead of selling food.  I participated in Food Fest by performing with the hip-hop club. I’m a horrible dancer and I was in the back, but I loved it!

Cultural Night is summed up by its name – it’s a night in which we celebrate different cultures. During the winter semester, the campus is buzzing as the different clubs rehearse in any open space they can find for the event.

5. We Have A Small Island – And Even Smaller Classes

Unlike Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, and Brigham Young University – Idaho, in Rexburg, Idaho, BYU – H has much smaller class sizes. In total, BYU-H has 183 academic staff members and approximately 3,176 students. The smallness of the school might be seen as “less professional” to some, but it comes with a lot of benefits. 

Small class sizes mean that you will never be completely lost at the school and I didn’t have a very difficult time adjusting to college because I wasn’t overwhelmed. This meant that I spent more time focusing on classes and socializing with a lot less stress than I experienced when attending a larger school like Brigham Young University in Provo. 

6. Gotta Love The Faculty – As They Will Love You

The continued benefits of small class sizes extend to relations with the professors on campus. I’m the type of student that instinctively sits at the front of the classroom. At other colleges that I’ve either visited or attended, it was uncommon for teachers and students to have one on one conversations unless I spoke to them directly.

At BYU-H, every time I walked into the class, the teacher would start a conversation with me. If I was early or just in their proximity I always found myself in a conversation with the professor about our weekends. 

7. The Education is Not Like A Walk On the Beach

The more personalized atmosphere of BYU-H makes the competition seem non-existent. There is still the desire to do well and succeed, but it isn’t as cutthroat as other schools. Some say that this is because of the Hawaiian culture or that the school’s curriculum is not difficult. I disagree.

The school’s education isn’t overwhelming because the teachers are willing to work with the students personally and are incredibly flexible. Learning is a personal experience, so it makes sense that learning at BYU-H is often personalized to its students. There are also an overwhelming amount of resources at BYU-H for the students. Like most schools, there are labs open for any subject.

I personally have lived in both the Computer Science Lab and Accounting labs for at least a month straight. During that time, I became familiar with all the tutors and teaching assistants and regularly worked with them. Without their help, I would be struggling to continue with my education to this day.

8. This Small Campus Offers Tons of Networking Opportunities

Many people are surprised when I tell them that BYU-H is a very business and networking-based school. Within one year of attending, even the average student has several connections from five different countries. Everyone is constantly talking, getting to know each other, and sharing experiences and opportunities. 

The school annually hosts the Asia-Pacific Career Conference (a.k.a. APCC). At this conference, companies worldwide are represented with a wide variety of opportunities for students to meet, network, and interview for positions in the companies. 

 The school also hosts the Empower Your Dreams competition annually. Empower Your Dreams is an opportunity for any student with a new idea to compete and present their business services or products. The competition has several rounds and there are up to $36,000 in prizes.

9. Edification in Mind and Spirit

The school is a church school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As such the students are to uphold an honor code, attend church and take several religious courses as a part of their core curriculum. The school is also down the street from the Laie Temple – a sacred space commonly referred to as the House of God by church members. 

With all the religious activity at the school, it makes sense that a lot of students are members of the church, but this is not required to attend. Socially, it is common for students to be seen walking to church together on Sundays or meeting together to study the gospel study program called “Come Follow Me,” read scriptures or sit on the temple grounds. 

10. A School With A Mission

BYU Hawaii is a school with a mission. It is a University that is not only fun but also offers a great education. In fact, the motto for Brigham Young University is:

“Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.”

School Motto

At BYU-H is not just for the benefit of the student, but for all those that the student will impact in their future. Learning is meant to benefit everyone.

At the end of the day, Brigham Young University Hawaii is just as different as any other place is from another. It offers unique opportunities to participate in social events that celebrate cultural diversity and encourages more entrepreneurial ideas amongst its students.

The focus is not to come and party and in some ways the social life emulates that as we are learning more about our little Ohana. If someone wants to come here looking for the stereotypical party school, they could find it, but they would be out of place and slandering the opportunities that the school actively promotes.

BYUH may not be a party school by the stereotypical definition, but there is a social life here that creates a unique network for its students that enables them to both learn through education, but also socialization.

If you would like to find out more about Brigham Young University Hawaii, you can check out their website, by clicking here. We would love to have you be part of our community.

Related Questions

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The BYU Management Society is a business, professional network, and career development program whose main focus is to help grow moral and ethical leadership around the world. It also helps support the local communities in the areas the BYU Management is organized and operating. The organization is open to all.

To discover more you can read What is the BYU Management Society? by clicking here.

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The BYU Management Society’s core principle is about each member and chapter conducting themselves, their actions, and interpersonal relationships with moral and ethical principles.  Each chapter and BYU MS member does this by the way each BYU Management Society member strives to live moral and ethical lives.  

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