Study in Guam

Guam is an organized unincorporated United States island territory in the Western Pacific. It is an ideal travel destination with tropical beaches, villages, and ancient latte-stone pillars.

Guam is an enchanting tropical paradise with amazing beaches, a rich history, culture and heritage, flora and fauna, and breathtaking waterfalls. It is a country of unparalleled sunsets, starry night skies, and picturesque mountains.

Studying in Guam is one of the best choices one can ever make as Guam offers a full package in terms of academics, eclectic cuisine, great luxurious accommodation, fun, and unique festivals, and vibrant art, music, and fashion scenes, to mention but a few.

Education in GUAM

Guam's education system is modeled after the US education system. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 to 16. All public schools must be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and public school teachers are certified by the Guam Department of Education.

The University of Guam (UOG), the main university in Guam, and Guam Community College, both fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offer higher education courses. Pacific Islands University is a small Christian liberal arts institution nationally accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, offering courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Universities in Guam offer several programs including Humanistic Studies, business, Public Administration, English, and Applied Linguistics, social and behavioral sciences, communication and fine arts, Mathematics, Computer Science

Agriculture and consumer sciences, Teacher Education and Public Education, Civil engineering, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work, to mention but a few.

Important things to note

Here are a few things to take note of before you go out and about in Guam.

Money- The official currency of Guam is the United States dollar (US$).

Bank/ Credit Cards- credit cards are widely accepted in Guam several ATMs also accept credit cards.

ATMs- these are available at the airport, shopping malls, grocery stores, and some hotels.

Traveler's cheques- these are widely accepted but to avoid additional charges you should get them in US dollars.

About Guam

Guam is a tropical Micronesian island located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is a 549 km² (212 square miles) island located southwest of Rota.

It is the westernmost point and territory in Oceania and is the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana Islands and is the largest island in Micronesia. Its capital is Hagatna, formerly Agana and its largest city in terms of population are Dededo.

As of 2020, Guam's estimated population was 168,485, with a population density of about 303.7 people per square km as of 2018. Its Urban to rural population as of 2018 was 94.8% and 5.2% respectively. Residents of Guam are American citizens by birth.

Ethnic groups

The Native people of Guam are called Chamorros, who are of Malayo-Indonesian descent. The Chamorros and other Micronesians make up about half of the population, while a third of the people are Asians, notably Filipinos and Koreans.

There is a small minority of people of European ancestry as well. the estimated ethnic composition by percentage is 37.3% Chamorro, 26.3% Filipino, 7.1% White, 7% Chuukese, 2.2% Korean, 2% Other Asian, 1.6% Chinese, 1.6% Palauan, 1.5% Japanese, 1.4% Pohnpeian, 9.4% Multiracial, 0.6% other, to mention but a few.

Languages

<>pThe official languages of the island are English and Chamorro. Japanese is also another notable spoken language while Filipino and other Asian languages are spoken in Guam as well. Spanish, is no longer commonly spoken on the island but traces of it remain.

Did you know? Facts about GUAM

• Guam is nicknamed the island of warriors

• Guam was a Spanish colony for over 300 years.

• A quarter of the island belongs to the US Military

• Guamanians are American citizens by birth.

• Guan has a beach known as the Gun beach

• The Japanese, between 1941 and 1944, renamed Guam Omiya Jima.

• About 99% of foreign workers in Guam are from the Philippines

• It is the largest island in Micronesia

Must see places in GUAM

Latte Stone Park, Guam. This is a famous park with mushroom-shaped Latte pillars, capped by a hemispherical stone with the flat side facing up. It is said to date back to around 500AD.

The stones are assumed to have been used as support for meeting houses by the ancient Chamorro people. These are found throughout most of the Mariana Islands. The latte stone is viewed as a symbol of Chamorro's identity.

Chamorro village

This is a traditional village highlighting the unique and rich culture, lifestyle, and delicious cuisines. You can also head to the village where you can find a variety of handmade crafts to tale back home.

Talofofo Waterfalls

This is a beautiful site where you can enjoy swimming, hiking, or a picnic on the wonderful site. You can also ride the gondola that is located below the falls.

Cocos Island

This is a place of utmost beauty, endowed with a Clearwater surrounding, and Clearwater lagoon. It offers the ideal beach getaway for a fun weekend. You can also take part in numerous activities including swimming, jet-skiing, and windsurfing to mention but a few.

Fort Santa Agueda

This is one of the reminders of the Spanish’s presence in the country. The territory was under Spanish administration for close to 300 years, and the fort is evidence of their presence in the country. It was constructed in 1800. It offers spectacular views of Agana Bay and the city.

About Guam's Economy

Guam's economy relies mainly on US military spending and tourist revenue. Guam’s GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $5.79 billion as of 2016 with a per capita of $35,600. GDP (official exchange rate) was $5.793 billion as of 2016.

The real growth rate was estimated at 0.4%. Some of the other top earners in Guam include poultry farming, garment-finishing plants, and oil refinery. The inflation rate was estimated at 1% as of 2017 and the Unemployment rate at 4.5% for the same year.

Tourism is a major component of the economy, receiving over a million visitors per year. Service exports contributed more than $1 billion in 2016, about 17.8% of the GDP.

Tumon Bay is a highly developed tourist area, with several luxury hotels and resorts, and beaches attracting several visitors every year. Agricultural products in Guam include fruits, copra, vegetables, eggs, pork, poultry, and beef.

Guam’s GDP contribution by sector as of 2019 showed the following:

• Industry 34.2%

• Services 45.5%

• Agriculture 14.7%

Industry

Industry in Guam is mainly made up of tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, US military, and textiles, to mention but a few.

Trade

Exports in Guam were estimated at $1.3 billion as of 2016. Its main export partners included and Palau, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines. Export items included Refined Petroleum, Large Construction Vehicles, Scrap Iron, Non-fillet Frozen Fish, and Jewelry, to mention but a few.

Its imports were valued at $9.5 billion as of 2016. With export partners being Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Russia. Import items included Refined Petroleum, Trunks and Cases, Cars, Precious Metal Watches, and Base Metal Watches, to mention but a few.

Why Study in Guam

Tasty dishes and cuisines

Students can get to indulge themselves in some of the best Guamanian dishes and cuisines, with a fusion of Spanish, Japanese, western, and Asian recipes. Students also get the opportunity to learn how to prepare some of these dishes.

Explore the beauty

Studying in Guam allows students an opportunity to travel to various locations and other institutions on exchange programs. This allows students to see several places in Guam and get a view of Guam as a unique destination.

Interaction with other international students

Studying in Guam offers students the chance to interact, exchange and familiarise themselves with other foreign students.

Opportunity to learn new languages

Studying in Guam allows international students to learn a variety of local and international languages from both the locals and other international students.

Scholarships in Guam

Students prospecting to study in Guam looking for a Ph.D. scholarship, Masters Scholarships, or Undergraduate scholarships to fund their education abroad can now check with the RocApplyScholarship page for updates from the universities and the Guam aids.

The list of scholarship range from fully funded to limited support or tuition fee waiver and we are committed to helping students acquire them!!

Guam Student Visa

To study in any one of the universities in Guam, international students must get a Guam student visa depending on their country of origin. RocApply has made it easy for you to follow what documentation may be needed upon visa application on this guide!

It is, however, advised to always check with the consulate/embassy/mission for more details on visa requirements.

To receive a Guam Student Visa, you must first get accepted into an educational institution in Guam.