ISU Sustainable City Tours

Mission

The ISU Sustainable City Tour is a registered student organization sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. This program seeks to learn from the most sustainable and socially responsible cities and communities across the globe. An immersive tour of a chosen sustainable city occurs two to three times throughout the year during academic breaks. Students engage with local industries, organizations, companies, and governments. Service days such as beach clean-ups, assistance with waste audits, or participating in sustainable and/or Fair Trade farming are incorporated into each tour. Students practice sustainable travel by utilizing public and alternative transportation, packing minimally and with reusables, refusing single-use plastics, and eating local foods.

• International Sustainable City Tour: Summer Break (late May or early June) – approx. 9-10 days

  Possible city tours include: Zurich, Singapore, Berlin, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Paris

• International Sustainable City Tour: Winter break (early January) – approx. 7-8 days

  Possible city tours include; Reykjavik, Oslo, Vancouver, various cities in Central and/or South America

*The following does not apply to the Spring Break 2025 Nepal Study Tour. 

Prior to each Sustainable City Tour, students must attend two informational meetings in preparation for travel. These meetings are an opportunity for the students to meet each other and share their own ideas or thoughts on locations they may like to visit. Culture, history, geography, and current sustainable practices in the city being visited are researched and covered during these meetings.

During the tour as time allows, reflections are led by the student trip leader with prepared questions and thoughts from the day to encourage discussion and hear from diverse perspectives. These discussons also provide an opportunity for the students to brainstorm the challenges or path to future sustainable development in their own community.

• Students must be in good academic standing (2.0) GPA) attend all planned activities, meetings, and events during the tour. Aside from illness, there are no excused absences. If a student is non-compliant, they will be required to depart at their own expense.

• Participants must be vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to departure to attend.

• Travelers must have a passport at least 2 months prior to trip departure in case travel visas need to be acquired. Passport fees are not included. Passport processing times are 9-12 weeks. If you do not currently have a valid passport, please apply immediately. For more information, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/forms.html

• It is expected that students attending a Sustainable City Tour program will pack and travel in a sustainable way. This includes packing lightly, reusable items, refusing single use plastic when possible, taking public transportation, etc. Sustainable travel advice will be provided at pre-trip meetings.

Leader Requirements and Expectations 

*The following does not apply to the Spring Break 2025 Nepal Study Tour. 

• One Trip Leader will be appointed by the Office of Sustainability. Priority is given to those with sustainability involvement and experience across campus and within the community.
• Trip Leaders are of at least junior standing.
• Trip Leaders attend the tour at a 20% reduced rate and assist the Office of Sustainability staff with various needs including but not limited to: organizing company or organization tours, communicating to students, fielding questions, navigating public transportation while traveling, and leading the reflection meetings during the tour.
• Assist with leading all pre-trip related meetings with participants
• Practice regular communication via email with Office of Sustainability staff
• Must be in good disciplinary and academic standing at all times during your trip leader experience. By submitting an application, you allow the Office of Sustainability staff to check disciplinary status and GPA.
• Sustainable City Tour Trip Leaders are expected to uphold the expectations. If you cannot meet these commitments, you will not be eligible for a leadership position.

Failure to meet these expectations could lead to a loss of the Trip Leader discount or position.