Maddi Reising is a Site Specialist for Argentina, Brazil and the Dominican Republic and a member of the ISA Green Team. This is the second post in a four-part series on sustainability and study abroad.
ISA is committed to sustainability both at home and abroad. Whether we are preparing the office garden for a new season, biking to work, turning the compost, taking out the recycling or managing carbon offsets for each outgoing student flight, we continue to strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Our actions at ISA Austin are just a small component of our global commitment to sustainability, and the accomplishments of ISA students and ISA offices abroad help us to grow greener and greener each year.
Here’s a look at recent ISA sustainability highlights around the world:
In Florianópolis, Brazil, ISA students participate in the REGSA (Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development) conference. The research work of past ISA students Alek Suni and Sierra Foster has even been published as part of an article for the REGSA project, Comparative Analysis of the Energy Balances and Forecasts for Bolivia, Chile and Brazil!
Shannon Crow (Buenos Aires student Spring 2 2014), is not only a world traveler, but also an entrepreneur. Shannon and her business partner conceived of AquaSprouts Aquaponics, a self-cleaning aquarium and garden that has been featured in the New York Times, at South By Southwest Eco, and elsewhere. Shannon has continued launching her business while abroad in Buenos Aires.
- ISA Cusco Students
In 2014 the ISA course list in Cusco, Peru at the Universidad de Salamanca got a bit greener with the addition of two new sustainability courses: Sustainable Development in the Peruvian Andes and Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change Adaptation in the Peruvian Andes.
Across the Atlantic, ISA Málaga reduces, reuses and recycles as much as possible. During a recent ISA activity, Reciclarte, students participated in an evening of jewelry making with recycled materials. Resident Director, Carolina, taught students how to turn disposable coffee cups into necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. ISA Málaga students also engage in an ongoing river cleanup effort as part of each term’s Community Service Day.
In 2013 ISA added a new year-long certificate program in Eco-Sustainable Design in Florence, Italy, through the Florence University of the Arts and APICIUS International School of Hospitality. We can’t wait to see an ISA Florence alum become the next eco-sustainable fashion design maven!
ISA-ELAP, ISA’s internship and service-learning division, offers countless opportunities for students to engage in internships and service-learning projects related to the environment and sustainability. Among these, ISA- ELAP Costa Rica students can participate in an ongoing Sea Turtle rescue project as an Alternative Spring Break program, or an ongoing rainforest conservation summer group project.
After reading those highlights, we hope you’re feeling green! In honor of Earth Day, we are happy to announce the launch of a brand new ISA Today Blog theme, #ISA Green. We want to hear your take on sustainability abroad! We’re asking ISA students to submit your observations about sustainability in your host city, sustainability achievements at your ISA office or host university, or offer your general impressions of sustainability abroad. As global citizens and world travelers, your voice is important! Submit a guest blog post today to blog@studiesabroad.com.
Let’s start a dialogue of what sustainability means across the globe so that we can work together to make the world a healthier, happier place. Go #ISA Green!
