Creighton students studying abroad are finding new ways to travel sustainably through the university’s Sustainable Travel Pledge, which encourages students to make environmentally conscious choices while experiencing life in another country.
The program is offered through Creighton’s Global Engagement Office and provides participating students with a $250 stipend to help cover sustainable travel expenses. Of that amount, $50 is set aside for a carbon offset fund, while students can use the remaining $200 for sustainable choices during their own time abroad.
For students studying in Ireland, public transportation has been one of the easiest changes to make to their routine.
College of Nursing sophomore, Kate McElhone, who is studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland, said she has been walking more and using buses and trains instead of taxis whenever possible. She also uses a Young Adult Leap Card, which offers discounted bus fares.
“One sustainable choice that has been very easy to make since coming to Ireland was using public transport,” McElhone wrote in a student survey.
Madelyn Zeidlhack, College of Nursing sophomore and another student studying in Ireland, has had a similar experience. She said she has started walking more and relying on public transportation to get around. She also used part of her stipend to purchase a discounted transportation card.
These changes show how students can adjust their daily habits to reduce their environmental impact while living abroad. Even small decisions, such as choosing a bus over a taxi, can become part of a more sustainable lifestyle.
Students have also noticed differences in how other countries approach recycling and waste.
Celine Davis, who is a sophomore in the College of Nursing studying in Limerick, said recycling has been much easier than she expected because of the availability of recycling and compost bins. She has also used part of her stipend to purchase reusable containers and shopping bags.
In Ecuador, College of Arts and Sciences junior Ginny Kraus has made changes to her everyday routine, including walking to school, air-drying her clothes and wasting less food while living with a host family.
Living with host families has also given students an opportunity to experience sustainability through everyday routines and practices in another culture.
However, students have also experienced challenges when trying to travel sustainably.
Kate Henderson, who is a College of Nursing sophomore studying in Ireland, said flying is often the cheapest option when traveling to other European countries, making it difficult to choose more sustainable transportation.
Kraus also explained that safety can sometimes make public transportation less practical.
“You need to balance safety and health with sustainable choices,” Kraus wrote.
Despite these challenges, students have identified habits they hope to continue after returning home. Henderson hopes to walk more and use public transportation when possible, while Kraus plans to continue air-drying her clothes to reduce energy use.