Sustaining the world we share: achievements to 2024–2026, and the way forward.
Impact, collaboration and dedication are some of the core values of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), which aims to foster commitment, work towards a shared vision and leave a lasting impact through world experiences.
These values are also at the heart of USAC Green Pact Sustainability InitiativeLaunching in 2024, it weaves sustainability at the heart of its mission and guides how the organization operates, partners and engages globally. Through this agreement, USAC aims to achieve a significant, measurable reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030.
In its first published report, worth seeing hereYou can find statistics on sustainable academics, business operations, how USAC supports green transportation and travel practices, and ways to empower students to make sustainable choices during their studies abroad.
“At USAC, we recognize that we are in this world together. Sharing the world with our students, colleagues, and friends is our dream, goal, and central to our work. Protecting the world is our shared responsibility. That’s why we formed the Green Pact Sustainability Mission in 2024, where sustainable practices are a core priority in our organizational and programming decisions and how we work within communities around the world,” says Alyssa Nota, PhD, USAC President and CEO Are.
The following are highlights from the report that demonstrate how USAC is driving change through its Green Pact.
continuing educationist
USAC currently offers 15 programs with sustainability-focused curriculum, and many of them are located in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. Students can study unique courses in China such as Environmental Sustainability Chengdu, China; Resilient Coastlines: Coastal Science and Global Adaptation bilbao, spain; Business Ethics and Sustainability in Chiang Mai, Thailand; And many more. Topics include everything from environmental studies and climate change to wellness and forest restoration. Additionally, students can participate in field trips, internships, and practical experiences – gaining real-world knowledge of local sustainability initiatives within their host country.
The ongoing digitization of application documents at USAC, Consulates, and host universities has eliminated the use of over 3,000 paper documents. Additionally, the Italian and Spain Consulates are encouraging students to visit Honorary Consulates, thereby reducing individual travel costs and emissions, and USAC’s continued offering of group visa submissions for the same countries further reduces travel emissions.
business operations
USAC is working towards green business operations in all aspects of the organization. Important decisions made toward sustainability include reducing and eliminating non-recyclable waste materials, reducing carbon footprint by providing remote and hybrid work opportunities to employees, updating drives to extend processor lifespan, and donating old computer equipment to be reused or recycled.
Changes in marketing design and process management have made a notable difference in USAC’s sustainability – from using only 100% recycled and tree-free paper, to reducing card and brochure design and transitioning to paperless accounting processes to reduce paper use.
Travel and green transportation
While travel is embedded in the international education sector, USAC continuously works to strengthen our sustainable travel practices and encourages students to do the same. Strategic travel methods are implemented for national and regional conferences, staff meetings and business travel to reduce the organization’s carbon footprint – such as choosing hotels within walking distance of venues, sharing Uber rather than driving personally, and selecting major airports with access to public transportation.
USAC also encourages students to undertake local travel within their host city and country. The organization promotes the ideology of “Your City is Your Classroom”, where students explore great things to do in their own city instead of constantly traveling to other destinations. This creates a deeper sense of community and local places and provides greater opportunities for introspection and immersion. USAC also provides host country-specific travel brochures that highlight unique local destinations within the country, as well as greener public transportation options such as buses or trains, if applicable.
frequent traveler
USAC empowers students to become sustainable travelers wherever they go. Through efforts like Worldwide Volunteer Day, shopping locally and choosing public transportation, USAC students can make a difference around the world.
Students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees can take major-specific courses abroad, eliminating the need to extend graduation dates to complete their studies abroad. With options ranging from engineering courses to conservation biology in Alicante, Spain Heredia, Costa RicaSTEM students can experience a life-changing study abroad experience while receiving relevant curriculum.
Finally, USAC offers programs in some of the world’s most sustainable destinations. Many Asian, European, and Central and South American countries are taking steps to protect the environment.
Looking Ahead: USAC’s Mission and Vision
As USAC strives toward greater sustainability in all aspects of the organization, four goals will define its next steps. By 2030, it will achieve significant success towards each goal.
- A sustainable student travel program This will serve to empower students to make sustainable choices while exploring their host countries.
- Increase sustainability efforts in your communities at home and abroad.
- Expanding our collaboration with similar mission-driven organizations To expand our continuing study abroad network.
- Continued to grow its sustainable business and travel practices At the organizational level.
check out USAC’s 2026 Annual Green Pact Report here.
