USAC students, staff and others use their skills and time to celebrate Volunteer Day worldwide.
The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)’s 3rd Annual Worldwide Volunteer Day was celebrated by students, staff and faculty across the world on Earth Day, April 22, 2026. This global outreach program strives to better communities through sustainability, volunteerism and engagement.
For this year’s event, volunteers shared their time and skills in a variety of ways – from cleaning campuses and beaches, to donating clothes and food, to volunteering at animal shelters.
Explore some of the ways our global students and staff have contributed below.
Asia and Oceania
Otago, New Zealand
In new zealandCoordinator Emily Schmidt, led by USAC’s International Relations faculty, helped plant more than 100 native species that are declining or extinct in the area. Initially seeds were collected from local areas and grown in nurseries by volunteers. He also helped expand sidewalks so community members could enjoy the area.
Europe
alicante, spain
usac alicante Students and staff headed to Tabarka Island, where they cleaned up trash and garbage from the beach and surrounding natural areas.
madrid, spain
USAC Madrid Students helped clean up a park and then enjoyed breakfast together afterward.
Pau, France
student in Pau, FranceTook part in a clean walk on campus to collect garbage and then enjoyed a picnic together afterward. The students were joined by staff, a local student, and even USAC alumni!
Reggio Emilia, Italy
USAC Reggio Emilia Students participated in the UNIGreen Festival, where they had the unique opportunity to learn about sustainability and environmental education, meet local and international peers at Earth Day events, and share and collaborate at conferences about incorporating sustainable practices in higher education.
Torino, Italy
USAC Torino Students donated used clothing and long-stored food, and helped sort and organize clothing and supplies to distribute to those in need in Torino and around the world.
Viterbo, Italy
USAC Viterbo students visited Emporio Solidale, a local association that assists needy Italian and international families by providing food and non-perishable items.
South and Central America
Santiago, Chile
usac santiago Students participated in an event organized by the City Hall Office for Youth. They assisted with a variety of activities for the children, including face painting, dancing and playing games.
Heredia, Costa Rica
student in Heredia, Costa RicaAlong with his resident director, cleaned drains and picked up garbage in a park.
Montevideo, Uruguay
USAC Montevideo Students volunteered at the Charrua Park Community Garden to prepare the grounds for the upcoming winter season.
United States of America
Central Office, Reno, Nevada
USAC employees based at the central office in Reno, Nevada participated in a cleanup event at North Valleys Regional Park.
Remote workers, multiple locations
Two members of USAC’s marketing and communications team participated in the volunteer efforts. USAC content marketing strategist Bill Golowski picks up trash in Oregon. In Idaho, USAC content coordinator Melissa Beals volunteered at an animal shelter.
creating a better world
Through the actions of USAC students, staff and faculty on Worldwide Volunteer Day, sustainable efforts in alignment with the USAC Green Pact were shared with communities around the world.
However, these are just a few examples – follow the USAC Instagram @studyabroadusac to see more volunteering around the world.
