Green SAI

At Study Abroad Italy we feel a responsibility to do our work in a sustainable manner, always searching for ways to improve, including the use of recycled materials whenever possible, and stressing electronic communication over paper.

Our staff overseas is also committed to sustainability. Each SAI office abroad participates in our recycling policies and uses recycled paper when printing is necessary. How we affect our environment is on our minds with all SAI student services: the welcome bags we provide free to students on arrival day are made from recycled material, and are meant for using time and again at the grocery store, in place of plastic bags. We seek out service providers who share our respect for the environment, from host schools to maintenance workers. Each semester SAI students participate in field trips to farms and wineries, whose production methods are strictly organic and sustainable.

Many of the course options and extra-curricular activities on SAI programs focus on sustainability and the environment, from eco-sustainable design courses and cooking classes focusing on local foods to volunteering opportunities in local soup kitchens and schools. SAI works to limit its environmental and socio-cultural footprint at every step of the study abroad experience.

Because airline travel contributes heavily to air pollution, we encourage students to participate in carbon offset programs for flights abroad.

We welcome any and all suggestions from our students and colleagues that will assist SAI in its goal to be a low impact and environmentally conscious organization.

At the end of each term SAI sends each student an evaluation form so we can receive your feedback on your experience. For each evaluation returned to us, SAI contributes $1 toward CarbonFund.Org.

SAI is a member of the Green Passport Program for students committed to environmentally, socially, and culturally responsible study abroad

Resources for Sustainable Study Abroad