Robin DiPietro, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Students interested in tourism and hospitality management can study next to the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea as they learn about tourism economies, hotel management, destination marketing, event management, cruise ship management and more.
The semester-long study abroad in Aruba is offered in both the fall and spring semesters and is open to University of South Carolina students who are at least a sophomore in standing with a 3.0 GPA or above.
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Natural Bridges
For thousands of years, pounding waves and strong winds have slowly chiseled away at the limestone cliffs along Aruba’s north coast to create several natural bridges.
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Oranjestad
Oranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country.
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Hooiberg
Hooiberg is Aruba’s iconic mountaintop forged by ancient volcanoes. The mountain is cone shaped and rises 540 feet up from the center of the Island.
Island Life
Students will become immersed in island culture as they spend four months living, learning and exploring in Aruba.
Aruba is an island nation located off the coast of Venezuela in the southernmost region of the Caribbean. The small island is 15 miles long by five miles wide and offers stunning landscapes, a vibrant and friendly culture, and a warm climate. Aruba has a rich history and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a population of just over 100,000.
University of Aruba
As a partner institution with the University of South Carolina, The University of Aruba is known for its academic excellence, friendly campus community and beautiful location. With less than 1,000 students, the University of Aruba offers South Carolina exchange students the opportunity to experience a personalized, small-campus environment in a unique island location. All courses at the University of Aruba are taught in English. The faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTMS) offer small classes enabling them to work closely with each student to achieve their best academic outcome.
Scholarships
Travel scholarships are available to help support student travel and education abroad experiences. In particular, the Aruba Erasmus Grant is a semester stipend and travel allowance of up to $3,600 to be used to help fund a semester or academic year experience at the University of Aruba.
For more information about the Aruba Erasmus Grant and other scholarships from the South Carolina Education Abroad Office, please visit the USC Education Abroad Scholarships and Grants page.
For more information on other travel scholarships offered by the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, visit our scholarships page.
Get in Touch
For more information, visit the University of South Carolina Study Abroad Office Aruba semester abroad page or contact:
Director of International Affairs
Christina Sayers, M.S.
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management