UNC Study Abroad Office

As our awareness of the interconnectedness of both natural systems and the global economy increases, we attach more value to studying abroad.  Approximately 37% of Carolina students now study abroad before they graduate and participation is growing 10% annually. For the third consecutive year, UNC had a higher rate of students going abroad than any other public research university nationwide. Study abroad programs with an environmental or sustainable focus include: School for International Training, School for Field Studies, and ECOSA Institute. The Study Abroad Office is one of the largest and most innovative of its kind in the nation, with more than 320 programs in 71 countries.

Click here to download UNC's Sustainable Travel Guide, which lists includes tips for sustainable travel and specific study abroad courses related to issues of sustainability.

Institute for the Environment Field Sites

To advance its missions in undergraduate education, environmental research and community outreach, the Institute for the Environment has established a network of field sites with locations in North Carolina and abroad. Undergraduate students spend one semester at the field site.  Each site focuses on themes specific to that community or region and provides a semester-long opportunity for students to explore real-world issues through a combination of course work, field trips, group research projects and internships with local organizations.

The Institute also offers shorter field experiences including trekking through the Sierra Nevada mountains, studying coral reef ecology in the US Virgin Islands, and studying biodiversity conservation throughout Siberia, Russia.