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College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

  • Galapagos sea turtle swimming in the crystal blue water

    Study Abroad in the Galapagos!

    Learn about tourism and sustainability in one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine environments.

Galápagos Islands

Through partnership with University of South Carolina’s Office of Education Abroad and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management students have a variety of opportunities to live and learn in one of the most exclusive tourism and natural heritage destinations in the world.

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands located off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are treasured by biologists and explorers alike for their diverse ecosystem, idyllic location and wide variety of beautiful plants and wildlife.

As an academic setting, The Galápagos Islands offer students a special opportunity to become totally immersed in a global learning environment that epitomizes subjects on sustainable tourism, tourism photography, scuba diving, and much more.

Two opportunities provide options for either shorter-term or full-semester study abroad experiences. 

Semester Abroad Program

Direct Enrollment

Live and learn in the The Galápagos Islands for an entire semester through USC’s direct enrollment partnership with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito! Students study at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) Galápagos campus while living in a homestay on San Cristóbal Island, and spend four months taking five classes centered on sustainable tourism management taught in English by USC and USFQ faculty, all the while living on and exploring the majestic Archipelagos of the Galapagos. This course is offered each semester. Visit the Education Abroad Office to learn more about Global USC in the Galapagos.

Note: The semester-long sustainable tourism track is only offered in the spring. 

Maymester Course

Global USC in the Galápagos: Sustainability

During this three-week program, students study at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) Galápagos campus while living in a homestay on San Cristóbal Island and travelling to Isabella and Santa Cruz Islands. Students have the choice of three to nine course credits: Latin American history, photography and sustainable tourism, sustainable ecotourism and more. Students participating in the Global USC in the Galápagos: Sustainability program are accompanied by a USC Education Abroad Office staff member, and courses are instructed by USC faculty. Visit the Education Abroad Office to learn more about Maymester in the Galapagos.

For more information contact:

Christina Sayers, M.S.
College of HRSM International Internship Manager and Instructor
christina.sayers@sc.edu

David Cardenas, Ph.D.
College of HRSM Interim Dean 
dcardenas@hrsm.sc.edu

Find out about other HRSM study abroad programs.


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