The Galápagos Islands have been a haven for researchers since Charles Darwin first set foot there in 1835, and Carolina students have the opportunity to follow in that tradition by studying at the Galapagos Science Center — a collaboration between Carolina's Center for Galapagos Studies and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.
Preparing
Global Leaders
Carolina’s Global Guarantee promises to make a global education accessible to all students. That promise ensures that Carolina students fulfill their potential to become the next generation of global leaders with the knowledge, skills and mindset to address the world’s greatest challenges.
Tar Heels can travel to 76 countries to participate in transformative learning experiences at sites around the world and hundreds more benefit from a global education in the classroom and on the Carolina campus.
“The knowledge and the skills that students gain through Carolina’s robust global education opportunities equip them — the next generation of global leaders — to address the grand challenges of our time," says Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer.
Global education
in action
Ever since the FedEx Global Education Center opened its doors in 2007, the building has served as a hub for the University’s global mission and impact, helping Carolina to become one of the world’s top public research universities. The FedEx Global Education Center provides a space on campus for students to pursue a global education, and for faculty and staff to grow new programs.
This year, the FedEx Global Education Center celebrates 15 years of serving as the center of international activity on Carolina's campus. A lecture from FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith will headline the celebrations on Sept. 29.
- 7thbest global university among U.S. public campuses according to the U.S. News and World Report.
- 2,400international students
- 960students participate in Collaborative Online International Learning annually
- 1,800Tar Heels study abroad annually
Studying abroad in the Galápagos Islands
Of all the international locations Tar Heels can visit as part of Carolina's study abroad, the Galápagos Islands are one of the most unique.
Carolina is the only U.S. university with a research center in the Galápagos Islands. Through the UNC Galapagos Initiative, Carolina offers a study abroad program in the Galápagos that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn six-credit hours of credit by enrolling in two three-week intensive courses in the Galápagos Islands. The initiative is committed to an interdisciplinary and immersive student program in the Galápagos that combines experiences in the classroom, field and lab.
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See the student study abroad experienceThis summer these Carolina students fulfilled the Global Guarantee, Carolina’s promise that a global education is available to every student. During their time in the Galápagos Islands, they stayed with host families, took classes and explored San Cristobal Island.
See how one Tar Heel explored the Galapagos IslandsA group of students studying abroad this summer had the chance to hike up volcanic craters, snorkel in the ocean, fly drones over the landscape, join a beach cleanup and learn about the unique islands.
Global experiences
Summers abroad expand perspectives
Three students share their summer study abroad experiences in Europe, Central America and Asia.
Connecting daydreaming with diplomacy
Carolina senior Eleanor Murray dreamed of global adventures as a child, and fulfilled that dream with international courses and study abroad as a student.
After virtual collaboration, Tar Heels travel to Budapest to present alongside international peers
This spring, Carolina students participated in a new hybrid course model as part of BUSI 201, “Business in Europe,” in which they engaged first virtually and then in-person, traveling to Hungary to co-present projects with students from Corvinus University in Budapest.
‘Go abroad. Say yes.’
Senior Alaina Plauche has heeded her own advice to future Tar Heels about studying abroad. This Carolina Covenant Scholar never could have imagined that her academic journey would take her to Bhutan, Spain, Uganda and Washington, D.C.
Maymester in Singapore
More than a dozen Tar Heels students spent Maymester in Singapore to learn about the country’s media markets, visit with a range of media professionals, meet with alumni and take in the country’s history and culture.
#GDTBATH: Sartaj Jhooty
Sartaj Jhooty spent last semester studying at the University of Granada as part of the Carolina Global Launch program, which enables first-year students to spend their fall semester abroad before joining the Carolina community on campus the following spring semester.