Choosing a Program: Consider what ways the program can positively or negatively affect your environmental impact.
- Do they integrate environmental responsibility into their mission?
- Do they have sustainability-focused academic programs?
- Have they set greenhouse gas reduction goals?
- Does your host city provide sustainable planning practices and resources?
- Do they have an organization-wide commitment to diversity and social justice?
- Programs that honor diverse perspectives provide more opportunities for ecological sustainability that considers all parties.
- Do they provide an authentic cultural experience?
- Programs that emphasize integration into local cultures (and, for example, hire local faculty and staff) are best able to support environmental efforts in local communities.
- What are they giving back to the communities that support them?
- Are they using resources to strengthen collective assets (local schools, libraries, health programs) and/or land and water conservation projects?
- Do they have water stations or compost on campus or in the country?
Preparing for you Program
Here are suggestions to lower your carbon footprint when packing and preparing for your time abroad/away.
- Use a sustainable lens when packing and looking for products that reduce packaging and waste (i.e. non toxic beauty products).
- Before and during your time away, consider buying from second hand shops rather than buying new.
- At the conclusion of your time away, consider donating items that you do not want to take back home (instead of throwing them away).
- Reusable water bottles
- Reusable coffee mugs
- Reusable straws/utensils
- Silicon “to-go” containers and sandwich bags
- Mesh fruit/veggie bag
- Reusable shopping bags/totes (many countries now charge per plastic bag used)
- Water filter
- When in places with unsafe drinking water, the default is to buy bottled water. Follow local guidelines to find safe alternatives or invest in a water filter.
- Bar shampoo/conditioner
- Bar soap
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Toothpaste tabs
- Floss (instead of floss picks)
- Deodorant bars
- Reef-safe/eco-friendly sunscreen and other products
- Menstrual cups
- Laundry tabs/sheets
- Solar chargers
- Support local and sustainable businesses when purchasing these products
During Your Program
Here are ways you can be conscious of your environmental impact while participating in your abroad/away program.
- Consider flying direct as much as possible
- By packing light, it minimizes onboard airplane waste
- You can always purchase larger items in your host country
- Bring your own headphones
- Refill a personal water bottle
- Use a personal neck pillow instead of the plastic wrapped airplane pillows
- Use electronic boarding passes and e-tickets for flights/attractions
- Lower your window shade to keep the interior of the plane cool
Consider looking into transportation options in relation to their environmental impact. The following list ranks transportation options from lowest to highest environmental impact:
- Walking
- Biking
- Subways/trams
- Trains
- Buses
- Cars/taxi
- Planes/ferries
Walk, bike, or use public transportation as often as possible and whenever it is safe and possible to do so.
- Rethink how often you are getting on a plane. Consider traveling on a train, bus, or carpooling (when safe) to get to your destination or explore your study abroad host city.
- Staying local can help limit your carbon footprint and you can explore new place and meet people you have never met!
- Research recycling protocols in your host community/country.
- Sign up fo the Green Passport Program
- Practice environmental consciousness
- Acknowledge the interconnectedness of local communities and their surroundings
- Research sustainable hotel options for shorter stays.
- Take short showers.
- Turn off AC/heat and electronics when you leave your room.
- Unplug chargers from wall outlets when you leave your room.
- Close the curtains/blinds to keep heat from the sun out in summer and to keep warmth in winter.
- Recycle, compost, and reduce waste as much as you can (be mindful of limiting your food and liquid waste).
- Buy seasonal, local produce and locally sourced food.
- Reduce consumption of animal products.
- Adopt local cultural norms and practices, such as conserving water and air drying clothes.
- Conserve water by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and limiting shower length.
- Research hot water usage in your country/facility.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator if possible.
- When touring different destinations, ask yourself these mindful questions:
- Is the destination heavily trafficked? If so, what other areas may be available?
- Is the destination not visited often? If so, what impact will human visitors have on the environment?
- Does the tour operator support conservation projects, local communities, and animal welfare?
- Are animals being used to entertain people?
- Do visitors harm wildlife in any way?
The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products, which can carry foreign pests and diseases that harm American agriculture and our environment. Permits may be required to lawfully bring wildlife or plants, including parts and crafted products, and even things like rocks/stones, sand, and sea shells, into the United States.
Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural products on their U.S. Customs forms. U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors have the authority to make a final determination about whether your products can enter the country. We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.
Learn more about what you can and cannot bring back into the U.S. and what you’re required to declare by reviewing information on Don’t Pack A Pest.