The Center for Global Engagement
Faculty-led Short-term study abroad academic courses are organized and conducted by Cal State Channel Islands faculty, who have intimate knowledge of and experience in the destination country(ies). These credit bearing courses combine classroom instruction with experiential learning in a foreign country.
Univ 392 International Experience Courses
UNIV 392 International Experience Courses are open to students of every major. UNIV392 courses are offered during fall and spring semesters with travel abroad ranging from 1 to 3 weeks during break (spring, summer, and winter)
Review the course options below and contact the Faculty Lead directly for more information.
Spring 2027
UNIV392
A Living Lab of Biodiversitry, History, and Sustainability
Loreto, Mexico
Enroll this fall - Limited space
Fall 2026 Information Sessions
- Thursday, 9/17, 3:00-4:00pm: In-person session (Aliso Hall 221)
- Friday, 9/25, 11:00am-12:00pm: Virtual session (https://csuci.zoom.us/j/89140441289)
Anchored in the historic town of Loreto, Mexico—once the capital of Las Californias and the first Spanish colonial settlement on the Baja California Peninsula—this course explores the rich biological, cultural, and geological tapestry of Baja California Sur. Founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, Loreto is a region shaped by centuries of interaction between people and nature, now renowned for its pristine desert shorelines along the Sea of Cortez and unique cultural identity. Students will explore the island biogeography of Parque National Bahía de Loreto, encompassing five major islands within 750 square kilometers of protected marine area. From towering cacti forests and coastal lagoons to the feeding and calving grounds of endangered blue whales, the region offers unparalleled opportunities for field study and exploration at the interface of desert and marine habitats.
Loreto, however, faces growing threats, including mass tourism, overfishing, accelerated drought and water scarcity, which challenges local sustainability. Working alongside Conserva Loreto, students will dive deeper into conservation science and sustainable development through community-based research projects. This includes hands-on engagement in the newly designated Nopolo (2,076 ha) and Loreto II (6,217 ha) National Parks—declared in 2023, to preserve freshwater aquifers, wetlands, and desert ecosystems. Through this interdisciplinary lens, students will confront the pressing need to conserveLoreto’s natural heritage while honoring its cultural history, contributing directly to a resilient future for both community and environment. This course will culminate with a trip to Loreto and the surrounding national parks, using only local hotels, guides, restaurants, and transportation operators to support community-based ecotourism and sustainable development.