In support of Michigan State University’s commitment to sustainability, the Office for Education Abroad acknowledges the challenges we face as student mobility on a global scale impacts social, environmental, and economic sustainability. We are dedicated to taking the necessary steps to mitigate the inevitable effect that travel abroad has on our world.

Our choices to enact more sustainable operations and practices, including responsible travel, can work toward addressing sustainability and leaving a positive impact on a more sustainable future.

• Incorporating relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on every education abroad program information page
• Including sustainability information during pre-departure orientation
• Offering sustainability-focused workshops for program directors so they can incorporate the UN SDGs into their curriculum
• Initiating conversations with partners and host institutions about sustainability
• Prioritizing sustainability curriculum and program logistics during new program proposal and development stages
• Incentivizing itinerary changes to mitigate environmental impact
• Promoting “stay local weekends" to students to participate in abroad (Big Impact, Small Footprint)
• Offering scholarships for students participating in sustainability-related programs
• Offering grant funding to program directors who utilize innovative ways to incorporate and advance the UN SDGs into their program
• Reducing the number of paper publications
• Increasing and enhancing online resources
• Selecting eco-friendly novelty items that are made from sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable materials
• Prioritizing local and sustainable vendors for catering
• Collaborating with the MSU Office of Sustainability

MSU offers numerous opportunities abroad for students to focus on sustainability around the world through study abroad programming and internships abroad.

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