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 2026 cohort of AIFS Abroad Green Ambassadors:
Abby Stark, Roger William University
AIFS Abroad in Dublin, Ireland | Full-Time Internship Program
Major: Environmental Science | Minor: Political Science, Chinese, and Spanish
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“Being a Green Ambassador means that I am given the wonderful opportunity to not only spread my passion for sustainability but also to gain new global perspectives on environmentally conscious living.”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“Interning abroad will equip me with skills for all facets of life, but most importantly, my research on environmental policy in Ireland will provide new viewpoints and inspiration in the field I wish to pursue after college.”
Ava Keating, University of Arkansas
AIFS Abroad in Athens, Greece | Study Abroad Program
Major: Supply Chain Management & Marketing | Minor: Business Analytics
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“Being a Green Ambassador means making sustainable choices in how I live, learn, and travel abroad while encouraging others to do the same. It also connects closely to my degree plan, because sustainability is an important part of responsible decision-making in business and global operations.”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“My time in Athens, Greece will strengthen the way I approach everyday life by making me more independent, adaptable, and globally aware. It will also influence how I approach my studies and future goals by giving me a broader perspective on business, sustainability, and cross-cultural communication.”
Crystal Casasola Rosas, University of Arkansas
AIFS Abroad in London, England | Study Abroad Program
Major: Honors Psychology Major | Minor: Human Development and Family Sciences
What does it mean to you to be a Green Ambassador?
“Being a Green Ambassador means taking active responsibility for my environmental footprint while studying abroad and leading by example. It’s about advocacy and education—ensuring that our passion for global travel is balanced with a commitment to preserving the communities that host us.”
How will this experience abroad tie back into your everyday life after you return from your program?
“Navigating London’s focus on walkability and public transit will fundamentally change how I view urban sustainability. I look forward to bringing those ‘green’ habits back to Fayetteville and continuing to promote environmental mindfulness in my leadership roles on campus”
Empowering climate advocates like our Summer 2026 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.
