AIFS Abroad is committed to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and climate action. As part of our Green Initiative, we are proud to offer the Green Ambassador Scholarship to participants who share our passion for creating a greener future.
AIFS Abroad Green Ambassador scholarship recipients are expected to collaborate with their on-site staff to plan and execute at least one “green” event during their program. This event should promote sustainability and climate education and awareness. Recipients will also be involved in sustainability-related content creation.
Read on to learn more about the Spring 2025 cohort of AIFS Abroad Green Ambassadors:
Aricka Coriolan, North Carolina A&T State University
AIFS Abroad in Barcelona, Spain | Study Abroad Program
Major: Accounting
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“Being a Green Ambassador means taking an active role in promoting sustainability and climate awareness, not just as a participant but as a leader who inspires others to take meaningful action.”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“This experience will shape my perspective on sustainability by showing how global communities address environmental challenges, allowing me to incorporate these practices into my daily life and share them with my peers. I’ll use what I’ve learned to advocate for sustainable initiatives on campus and in my community, ensuring the lessons I gain abroad continue to influence and inspire positive change.”
Camryn Elsner, University of South Carolina
AIFS Abroad in San José, Costa Rica | Study Abroad Program
Major: Environmental Studies | Minor: Mass Communications
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“I am excited to learn about Costa Rican environmentalism, and how they incorporate sustainability into their lives. I will learn these practices and communicate with my friends and family through social media accounts as well as my organization, Sustainable Carolina.”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“I will use my communication skills to promote Costa Rican sustainability practices to friends and family. I will also bring ideas back to campus and promote these practices through my organization, Sustainable Carolina, to spread this information to students and organizations on campus.”
Charline Mignot, University of Central Florida
AIFS Abroad in Barcelona, Spain | Full-Time Internship Program
Major: Psychology, Neurosciences Track
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“I am excited to learn about environmental sustainability in Barcelona and how it is integrated into daily life and policy. Through this experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and their impact on both local communities and global environmental efforts. I am particularly interested in how environmental factors influence public health and well-being. I will share what I learn through social media and conversations with my peers, and I look forward to bringing back new ideas to promote sustainability within my academic and campus communities.”
Savanna Schalberg, Coastal Carolina University
AIFS Abroad in Sydney, Australia | Study Abroad Program
Major: Marketing
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“Being a Green Ambassador in Sydney means leading the charge for sustainability while studying abroad! I’ll get involved in local eco-projects, inspire others to live greener, and share how my experience shapes my passion for the planet. It’s all about making a real impact and bringing fresh ideas to the global fight for a better future!”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“This experience will give me new ideas and a global perspective on sustainability that I can bring back to my daily life. I’ll use what I learn to make smarter eco-friendly choices, inspire others to do the same, and find new ways to stay involved in climate action at home.”
Empowering climate advocates like our Spring 2025 Green Ambassadors and promoting sustainability is a top priority for AIFS Abroad as an organization.
In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad has made sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, we’ve committed to reaching carbon neutrality.
Our Green Initiative has three pillars:
- Green Business that includes auditing our own business practices and our program partners to reduce our consumption of finite resources and limiting our carbon footprint.
- Sustainability Education for both our program participants, through onsite engagement with local environmental projects, and within our industry as a leader in our field.
- Offsetting Carbon Emissions by purchasing verified carbon credits for all our program participants round trip flights to their program location.
