Sustainability

Study abroad is a life-changing experience. You meet new people, try new foods, and experience a new culture. Best of all, you're completely independent.As a temporary resident of your new country, you have a responsibility to leave it in the same condition it was in when you got there – if not better. But don't worry – traveling green isn't as hard as it sounds. These tips will help you make greener choices while you're abroad so you can preserve country for future generations of studies abroad to come.

Travel around while you are abroad

Don't just stick to the city you're in - get out and see the region. You'll have less of an impact traveling around while you're overseas than you will if you head home, then go back later. The fewer plane trips, the better for the environment.

Take public transportation

Some study abroad programs prohibit you from driving when you're abroad, anyway, and you probably won't have access to a car. The good news is in most countries you won't need a one. Just hop on the bus or subway to get to your un-walk able destinations.

Live with a family

Most programs offer the option to stay with a host family for all or part of your time abroad. When you watch a dubbed movie on TV with your host mom and host sister, you'll use less energy than you would if you watched TV in your dorm room while they watched it at home. Plus, you'll learn more about the culture you're living in by spending time with your host family.

Check out local entertainment

Support the local economy by going to the museums, plays, ballets, and operas that you won't find at home. It's easy to get caught up in study abroad life and put off the local entertainment until the end - when you'll either rush to cram everything in or not have a chance to do it at all. Before you head to your host country, pick a few of the most interesting local attractions and prioritize seeing them throughout your trip.

Pack Light

It's better to err on the side of too little; if it turns out you need something you left at home, you can buy it in your host country. If you just can't figure out how to lighten your load, check out our Ultimate Guide to Packing Light.

Buy a Bike

In cities from Hong Kong to The Hague, biking is a preferred means of transportation. It's environmentally-friendly, plus you see the city in a whole new light. And you have the option of traveling outside the city and biking around the countryside. Ask around about where to buy a used bike or search online classifieds like Craigslist.

Carry a Reusable Water Bottle

According to the Earth Policy Institute, Americans consumed 26 billion of the global 154 billion liters of bottled water in 2004. Bottled water creates a ton of waste, and it's more expensive and less strictly regulated in the US than tap water. Reduce your environment impact by avoiding bottled water altogether - bring a reusable water bottle.

Walk

Seeing a country by foot offers many advantages to seeing it any other way. You'll get to talk to locals, see sights you might miss on public transportation, and find authentic food and goods you might never have otherwise come across.

Cook in your Dorm or Apartment

If you have a kitchen in your new home, use it. You can still experience local food by picking up ingredients for regional dishes at the market and cooking local dishes yourself. Plus, you'll learn to cook new foods.

Eat with your Host Family

Your host family's probably already cooking for themselves, so join them when you can. It will create less waste than eating out and you'll get to try authentic local food. And with most programs your host family is given a stipend to feed you. You'll save money by dining with them.

Buy Local

Rather than heading to a chain grocery or department store, stop by the market or a street stand. Supporting the local economy is good for the environment because the goods you're buying don't have to travel as far to get to you.

Eat Local

It's not always easy to find restaurants that serve organic food, but you can usually find some that buy the ingredients for their meals locally.

Take Shorter Showers

Shower heads spit out about 2 gallons of water per minute - which means that a 15 minute shower uses 30 gallons of water. You can probably wash your hair scrub down your body in 5 minutes.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

These elementary school tenets hold true no matter where you are. Always shoot to use less - reduce. And if the country you're in accommodates recycling, take advantage of it. If not, think of new uses for products before tossing them.

Volunteer

Every country has at least one organization devoted to sustainable development, conservation, the environment, or a social issue you're interested in. Ask your professors, host family, and new friends about places to volunteer, or check out these links from Adventures Great and Small to get some ideas.

Turn out the Lights

It's easy to get lazy and forgetful when you've got a new country to explore, but something as simple as unplugging your laptop before you head out can save a lot of electricity. So unplug appliances and turn off the lights before you head out.

Make yourself at Home

Spending a semester abroad is liberating. It's the first time you're completely independent, with no parental interference. It's tempting to rebel against your parents by doing the things they've always told you not to do - leaving the lights on, going to unknown parts of the city, and getting takeout every night. While you're establishing your independence, remember your actions abroad have the same environmental impact as your actions at home.

Be conscious of the choices you make while you're abroad. Believe me, you can still have a good time eating local food, and exploring local shows

For more ideas and information on sustainable travel abroad, check out this article from Transitions Abroad

The article is authored by Kimberley Sanberg and can be viewed on Go Green Travel.