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Sustainability with Sydney Abroad

The University is seeking to do its part in addressing the world's most complex and pressing issues by improving our sustainability performance across our activities, including studying overseas.

Travelling from Australia to another country almost invariably means flying, at least part of the way. However, there are many things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your planned overseas experience. From choosing your program to offsetting travel emissions and keeping eco-friendly habits, we’ve provided plenty of guidance below.
 

Guide to Sustainable Living

We’ve developed a simple guide to sustainable living that you can use before, during, and after your program. Read this to find out ways you can make your travel more sustainable. Whilst some actions may seem small, remember that thousands of USYD students go overseas every year, and even a little change can add up.

Don’t have time to read the whole guide? You can download it for free to read later, but for now, our top tips are:

  • Choose the lowest-emission way to get to your destination, and for travel once you’re there
  • Pack reusable items for your travel, such as cutlery or a water bottle
  • Enjoy locally grown food, which is a great and sustainable way to experience your destination’s culture
  • Watch the city, and the country, through the window of public or shared transport
  • Participate in environmental volunteering
  • Donate any items and clothes that you’re not bringing back to Australia

Choosing a Sustainability-Focused Program

The University of Sydney has more than 250 exchange partners and offers a wide range of programs. Many of these include sustainability-focused units or programs aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Studying one of these units will deepen your knowledge and enrich your experience as a global learner.

Choosing Location and Host

Maybe you can’t fit a sustainability-focused unit or program into your degree. Not to worry. An easy way to improve your sustainability is to think carefully about the location and university where you want to study. Choosing a destination closer to Australia, such as somewhere in Asia, can significantly reduce your travel emissions. To make these locations even more appealing, you may be eligible for up to $10,000 in New Colombo Plan funding, which is available only for Asia and Indo-Pacific destinations.

Many of our partner universities also offer additional sustainability programs, including opportunities for volunteering, internships, lecture series, and more. These experiences can be a great way to engage with local culture and build your network. Below are a few overseas programs that you can explore.

 

Location University Program Title
Belgium KU Leuven Global Challenges for Our Sustainable Future
     

Curious to find out more?

Take a look at the CISAustralia Green Book and The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World for additional tips and ideas.

You also don’t have to travel abroad to take your sustainability action to the next level — you can get prepared for your overseas experience and get involved right here on campus through our Sustainability Office.