Carleton has made a commitment to become carbon neutral and teach students about environmental issues. Here is a list of the top ten ways that students can make their off campus experience more environmentally friendly:

Pre-Departure

1. Pick a good program. The best programs will encourage sustainability in the classroom and daily life. You can do an environmental studies program almost anywhere in the world. Click here to view a list of recommended environmental studies programs.

http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/ents/student/ocs/

2. Learn about environmental problems and opportunities in the place(s) you will visit. Identify a few topics you would like to learn more about: national parks, local food, public transportation, etc.

3. Include sustainability in your plans. Set goals for yourself related to sustainability, and think about how these goals relate to your other aspirations.

On-Site

4. Remember the basics. Reduce your consumption of energy, water, and other valuable resources. Encourage your program director, other students, tourists, and locals to do likewise.

5. Visit local environmental organizations and environmental educators. Organize a field trip or guest lecture for one of your classes.

6. Study an environmental issue for a classroom assignment or independent project.

7. Foster sustainability into your home-stay, service learning, or mid-term break.

Returning to Carleton

8. Reflect on sustainability and your study abroad experience. How will you apply what you have learned?

9. Share your experiences with others. Write a blog article for Carleton’s sustainability website, give a presentation at the Athenaeum, or submit a photo in the OCS photo contest.

10. Find satisfying ways to include sustainability in your life at Carleton.

Resources

The Green Passport Program, a comprehensive resource on OCS and sustainability:
http://www.greenpassport.us/

The Carleton Sustainability Website, which is incredibly informative about green issues and initiatives on our campus:
http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/sustainability/

Abroad View has compiled a ton of articles, websites, speeches, and other resources to help you go green as you travel throughout the world:
http://www.abroadview.org/green/

Sustainable Travel International provides a checklist of questions to answer to know the impact your abroad experience will have on our environment:
http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/documents/gi_travelchecklist.html

Living Routes has a list of Eco Villages around the globe as well as other helpful resources: http://www.livingroutes.org/resources.htm

Middlebury College offers some information on how to make your abroad experience green: http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/