Sustainability Abroad
Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to discover new countries—but how can you do so in an environmentally friendly way? From train travel and conscious consumption to sustainable accommodation, following a few simple tips will help you enjoy your adventure abroad while taking care of the environment.
Traveling to and within foreign countries
- Travel by sustainable means of transport such as train, bicycle, bus, or carpooling. Even for more distant destinations, it is often possible to cover part of the journey by train.
- Take only as much luggage as you really need and try to limit your purchases while abroad. You can find tips on making your luggage as sustainable as possible on the Green Erasmus website.
- If you have a free room or apartment while staying abroad, make it available through the University of Mannheim’s online private accommodation service. This will enable incoming students to also make their time in Mannheim as sustainable as possible.
Sustainable living around the world
- Buy local or second-hand products whenever possible.
- Reduce your consumption of animal products (e.g., meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, etc.).
- Try to buy unpackaged goods whenever possible.
- Use reusable beverage containers, cutlery, napkins, etc. when you are on the go.
- Let your laundry air dry instead of using a dryer.
- Separate your household waste into the appropriate bins.
- Find out from your local waste disposal authority how to do this properly.
- Donate or give away what you do not need.
- Only take short showers.
- Use reusable shopping bags – even in countries where this is not common practice.
- Take part in local initiatives, such as litter collection campaigns.
Special information for students participating in the Erasmus grant program
In addition to fostering international exchange through in-person encounters, the Erasmus+ program also encourages participants to choose environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
If you cover at least half of the journey to and from your host institution using sustainable means (e.g., train, long-distance bus, carpool, bicycle), you may apply for a “Green Travel” grant. Students who travel sustainably can apply for funding for two travel days – or up to six days for particularly long journeys. These travel days, in addition to your stay at the host institution, will be financially supported at the applicable daily rate for your group of countries.
Erasmus students at the University of Mannheim will automatically receive detailed information on how to apply for the “Green Travel” grant together with their Erasmus scholarship agreement.
Further resources and tips are also available from the Green Erasmus project.
More resources
- On the Erasmus Goes Green website, you can check out your carbon footprint.
- On the website of the European university alliance ENGAGE.EU, you can find practical information about travel options and accommodation.
- Read The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World to find out how you can do your bit without much effort.
- Also interesting: Imagine for 1 minute the world you want
- Sustainability certificate: Studium Oecologicum at the University of Mannheim