The Need to Know about Life at BYUH

 Myth: FHE starts at 9:00 pm here.
Fact: You have to account for Hawaii standard time.  So when they say "come at 9", they really mean, "come at your leisure and we'll start when everyone gets here"....which probably means 9:30. 

Myth: BYU Hawaii is easy and they professors' start out each lecture by throwin' up the shaka and saying, "Eh, hang loose!"
Fact: I moved to the laziest place on Earth and became the most productive version of Anne that has ever existed, Anne 2.0, if you will. Fourth day of school = finished with one 300 page novel, starting on the next, beginning my first term paper, and studying for daily Shakespeare quizzes.

Myth: Being diligent with cleaning your dishes and wiping the counter after yourself will eliminate the appearance of insects in the kitchen.
Fact: Presence of a landlady, roommates, and roommates friends contribute to a steady presence of cockroaches in the silverware drawer and ants on all surfaces.

Myth: One person you meet will be clearly distinguishable from another person you meet. 
Fact:  That guy you met in the library wasn't being rude at church on Sunday by not remembering your encounter because it was actually his brother (but not twin) you met.  At least you won't mix up their names because you don't remember either one.

Myth:  Everyone else operates at the same standard of efficiency and time management as you do.
Fact: When the people at the bookstore and health center say they are open from 8-5 so that you can come pick up your pre-ordered textbook or get your new student shots, they don't actually mean that will be a good time for you to come in.  You may have to come in 5 or 6 times before you actually catch them not at lunch, snack, water break, or chat time.  

Myth: Going to school in Hawaii, you'll be very hot 99% of the time and should forgo bringing any jackets, long sleeved shirts, or long pants.  
Fact: The library and most classrooms keep the thermostat at a constant setting of -800 million degrees Celsius.  A hoodie is in fact a prized possession.  

Myth: You have to be Samoan to join the Samoan Club.
Fact:  Anyone can join, and although you may stand out as one of the only non-Polynesian people at the meetings, everyone is very welcoming and it's actually a lot of fun.  
 
Myth: Because everything is generally 324,567,899 times more expensive in Hawaii, the phrase, "starving college student" is given a very literal application here. 
 Fact: The local residents here (i.e. your landlady, church leaders, neighbors and friends) are some of the most generous and kind hearted people on the planet.  If you're friendly and show a genuine interest, weekly invitations to dinner and frequent opportunities to do chores or favors for cash can be expected. 

Myth: (One that I hear a lot on the mainland) Polynesian and other foreign men "prey" after Caucasian girls just so that they can stay in the United States.
Fact: While this might sometimes be the case (you get creeps and jerks everywhere), the guys that I have met from other cultures are some of the sweetest and genuinely caring people I have ever met and just have good hearts.  I have yet to be "preyed" after and have met some incredible people. 

Myth: The people back home that kept saying "I'm coming to visit" actually meant it. 
Fact: Sadly, but truly, you'll just have to accept that it's too expensive.  It'd be much cheaper to go home and see them....sigh.

Myth: Going to school in Hawaii is really just an excuse to lounge about at the beach all the day long.
Fact: The library is full of studious young people eager to fulfill their educational responsibilities.  Yes, I actually am learning here dad.  :)

Myth: Living in a tropical island paradise makes you completely immune to homesickness and longingforProvoitis