GREENING JMU STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Going green is a convenient way of talking about practicing an ethic of environmental stewardship.  Going green provides limitless educational opportunities for our students and ourselves, and it can also be healthy for our budgets. 

In general:

• See the general document on greening and implement those suggestions wherever possible.

Planning your program:

• Review Sustainable Travel International’s™ planning checklist:  http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/documents/gi_travelchecklist.html
• Review the article “Sustainable Travel and Study Abroad” by Astrid Jirka at: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/studyabroadmagazine/2006Fall/sustainable_travel_and_study_abroad.shtml
• Check for eco-friendly lodging:
  • See Sustainable Travel International’s™ Eco-Directory: http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/scripts/ecodirectory/op_ecodirectory.php
• Search Environmentally Friendly Hotels at http://www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com/; Eco Hotels and Lodges at: http://www.ecohotelsandlodgecollection.com/; and other such websites
• Plan for greener outings, engagements, and guest speakers:
• Network with faculty at universities in your study abroad destination who are in environmental disciplines and invite them to guest lecture, help design eco-outings, perhaps provide internships or independent study opportunities for students, etc.
• Develop opportunities for students to pursue field projects, internships, or volunteering in environmental projects
• See www.idealist.org for lists of relevant organizations operating in your study abroad destinations
• Use public transportation whenever possible and minimize flights

Pre-departure Orientation:

• Educate students about their social and ecological responsibilities as travelers by reviewing together the following website: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/guidelines.php
• Introduce students to key environmental issues in your study abroad destinations
• Introduce key topics during orientation
• Note the ways in which students will learn more once in-country
• Discuss students’ impacts on their host families with regard to sustainability issues and consider ways to reduce and offset those impacts (e.g., water, energy, transport in excess of normal family routines, etc.)
• Students should review and be encouraged to participate in the Green Passport Program: http://www.abroadview.org/green/passport.htm

While Studying Abroad:

• Reduce consumption of bottled water
• If traveling to areas where tap or other water is not potable, use a portable water purification system (e.g., UV systems, First Need® ( see http://www.generalecology.com/portablesystem.htm or http://www.rei.com/category/4500001/q/Water), etc.)
• Promote reusable bags – be sure each student has a lightweight, reusable shopping bag
• Promote same energy and water reduction practices suggested for JMU offices
• Eat local and minimally packaged foods as much as possible
• In general, consume less and buy local, as much as possible
  • refer to the following: http://www.newdream.org/consumer/index.php
  • and read this before buying stuff: http://www.newdream.org/walletbuddy.pdf
• visit and support eco-friendly sites and stores
• Encourage students to produce (digitally) essays/articles, photographs, videos, podcasts, etc., that relate to the environmental projects in which they are involved

Back at JMU:

• Digitally showcase students’ work (essays/articles, photographs, videos, podcasts, etc.) that relate to the environmental projects in which they are involved
• Encourage students to integrate their abroad experiences into independent studies, honors theses, other coursework.
• Encourage “Green Passport” holders returning from abroad to help educate future study abroad students about the benefits of studying abroad “green”