Staying Sustainable While Studying Abroad
by Bria Zegarelli
October 15, 2024
As a student studying abroad in England and Italy for the 2024-2025 school year, I recognize that it is important to keep sustainability in mind while traveling. Many students studying abroad may think prioritizing sustainability while trying to think about and plan so many other things is unachievable. To help spread the word that sustainability while abroad doesn’t have to be a complicated process, I have compiled 10 tips that students can take with them while studying in a different country.
1) Minimize Transportation Energy
When studying abroad, try to take public transportation as much as you can, as it reduces carbon emissions and also prevents roads from being filled with traffic. Biking and walking are also a fantastic way to reduce your transportation energy while also getting in some exercise as you go from place to place. If you have to travel long distances, try to take a train rather than a plane; they produce fewer emissions than planes, and you can see beautiful landscapes as you take your journey! If you have to fly on a plane, try to see if there are any direct flights since this can reduce emissions as well.
2) Be Mindful with Purchases
In order to reduce waste, try to be mindful of what you are purchasing before and during your study abroad experience. It is nice to buy new clothes or souvenirs, but ask yourself if you will truly want to use them.
3) Buy Local Food and Support Small Businesses
Instead of buying your food from chains, explore the culture of the area you are in while also helping with sustainability by purchasing locally-grown food and eating at family-owned restaurants. Chances are that you will also be able to find some local markets as well, which often feature locally-sourced food and small businesses. If you do not always eat at chain restaurants, not only will the food be healthier, but there is less transportation needed for all of the goods.
4) Use Reusable Bags and Water Bottles
Something I learned very quickly studying abroad is that a durable, reusable shopping bag and water bottle are a must! You will probably not have a car to transport your groceries, so you will be carrying them all, sometimes over relatively long distances. Buying a reusable bag can save you money (a lot of stores charge for bags) and prevent waste (you won’t be throwing away plastic bags, and you will be more mindful about the food you’re purchasing since you have to carry it all). Plus, a reusable shopping bag may double as an everyday bag.
Reusable water bottles are also super important so you are not throwing away a lot of plastic ones as you travel, and similarly to the shopping bags, it can save you a lot of money at both restaurants and on the go.
5) Clean Up After Yourself and Respect Local Wildlife
When you are studying abroad, you will probably visit many sites that feature beautiful nature. To keep these areas pristine, make sure to be mindful of any trash you have, and maybe even pick up other pieces of trash you see lying around. Also be cognizant of your trash in busy cities as well. There will probably be a lot of tourists, so any litter that people leave around definitely adds up.
6) Donate Your Unwanted Items at the End of Your Semester
At the end of your stay abroad, you will likely have items or food that you cannot bring back to your home country. Instead of throwing these out and causing a potentially significant amount of waste, consider donating them.
7) Visit Environmentally-Friendly Cities or Choose a Sustainable Study Abroad Program
Before you plan out your travels, consider visiting cities that have environmentally-friendly practices so that your visit has less environmental impact. Additionally, when you are researching study abroad programs, maybe consider one that prioritizes sustainable practices as well.
8) Visit hostels or AirBnB Instead of Hotels
Because they require fewer rooms, facilities, and resources, hostels and AirBnBs tend to be more sustainable than traditional hotels. Consider staying in one of these as you are traveling abroad!
9) Volunteer with Local Sustainability Companies or Clubs
While abroad, research your local area to see if there are any sustainability initiatives that you can help with! If you are enrolled in a partner university for your abroad program, it might be easier to join a sustainability club because all of your information is laid out for you. If you are with a host family, you could ask them if they know of any local projects that prioritize sustainability.
10) Take a Class About Sustainability in Your Host Country (or research on your own!)
Although this option may not be realistic for everyone depending on their course of study, it is always good to consider taking a class that focuses on sustainability, especially if you want to learn more about it from a different cultural perspective. If you do not want to take an entire class surrounding the subject while you are abroad, at the very least you can do a few quick Google searches or pay attention to your environment to see how your host country vs. home country make certain choices relating to sustainability!
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