CIEE Expands Ecology, Sustainability, and Smart Cities Portfolio

CIEE is launching a major expansion of study abroad opportunities focused on ecology, sustainability, and smart cities including new academic courses, new co-curricular activities, and new CIEE locations that allow students to study our earth and its ecosystems in over 40 international locations. 

New CIEE Study Abroad Locations – Opening in Spring ‘26

• Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Athens, Greece
• San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
• São Paulo, Brazil

New Programs and Sustainability Courses – Launching in Spring ‘26

• CIEE Sustainable Smart Cities – 18 international locations
• CIEE Ecology and Sustainability – 10 international locations
• CIEE Semester In (with expanded STEM courses) – 38 international locations
• CIEE Open Campus (with expanded STEM courses) – 22 international locations

Historically, study abroad leverages place-based learning to allow students to embrace another language, culture, and people. Today’s students seek study abroad opportunities that allow them to immerse themselves in our world’s diverse natural landscapes and growing number of smart cities. CIEE hopes to meet that student demand as we help care for our planet by equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and inspiration to find solutions to the challenges facing ecosystems around the world.

New – CIEE Sustainable Smart Cities Program

Coming to 18 international cities, CIEE’s Sustainable Smart Cities program will provide students with a traditional 12-15-week semester experience. Students can study the theory and practice of sustainable smart cities with in-person courses at CIEE and a strong local host university, as well as online coursework through ASU. Sample courses include:

Immersion opportunities include service learning, internships, and research projects as well as relevant co- and extracurricular activities. Students can experience first-hand:

• Amsterdam’s floating neighborhood, Schoonschip, to explore an ecologically and socially sustainable community
• Buenos Aires’ Tigre Delta to study freshwater conservation by kayak
• Copenhagen's Amager Bakke to observe how state-of-the-art waste-to-energy technologies transform everyday waste into renewable power.

New Program Model – CIEE Ecology + Sustainability Programs

Coming to 10 international cities, CIEE’s Ecology + Sustainability program will provide students with a traditional 12-15-week semester. Students can take ecology and sustainability courses, alongside relevant co- and extra-curricular activities, with courses at CIEE and host institutions, as well as online coursework through ASU. Sample courses include

CIEE’s Ecology + Sustainability program intentionally aligns with the curriculums of students studying Environmental Science, Public Policy, STEM, Sustainability, and Sustainable Development. Students can address principles of ecology and sustainability in:

• The cloud forest of Costa Rica and the coral reefs of the Caribbean
• The deserts of the Middle East and the outback of Australia
• Marine ecosystems of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas; the Gulf of America; and the Great Barrier Reef

Expanded Environmental Science and Sustainability Course Offerings across CIEE Semester In and Open Campus Block Programs

CIEE’s existing Semester In and Open Campus Block programs will offer core courses in Environmental Science and Sustainability and provide students the option to:

• Choose from 38  international cities that offer the Semester In program with new courses in sustainability, public policy, sustainable tourism, urban ecology, and many more courses across all disciplines from a wide selection of in-person and online courses through CIEE and ASU.
• Choose from 22  cities worldwide that offer the Open Campus Block program with courses on Environmental Science and Sustainability, allowing students to study in one, two, or three different locations to compare issues related to Environmental Science and Sustainability by choosing their coursework from a wide selection of in-person and online courses through CIEE and ASU.

These new CIEE Study Abroad programs will offer the most expansive set of ecology, sustainability, environmental science, and engineering courses and the most comprehensive set of co-curricular and extracurricular activities in the field – including research, service, and internship opportunities.

The full portfolio of CIEE’s Ecology, Sustainability, and Smart Cities programs can be found on our website and below.

NEW CIEE Centers – Abu Dhabi, Athens, San Juan, São Paulo

CIEE’s global network is expanding across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East to include cities with a unique perspective on sustainability and to meet both student interest and the needs of our partners. These strategic locations include:

 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE): As the political and cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a global hub for business, technology, and sustainability that uniquely combines rich cultural heritage with modern innovation. The city is home to cutting-edge industries and a diverse global community that focuses on innovation, sustainability, research, and forward-thinking development so students can develop their skills in one of the world’s most influential regions.

Athens, Greece: As the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the arts, Athens offers a unique blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, modern innovation, world-class archaeological sites, and a dynamic global community. The city’s strategic location on the Mediterranean and at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa makes Athens an ideal setting for students to undertake studies in ecology and sustainability.

 San Juan, Puerto Rico: As a U.S. territory with a unique Caribbean identity, San Juan dynamically blends rich history, Latin culture, and academic opportunity in the sciences and the arts. The city’s Spanish colonial heritage, diverse ecosystems, and contemporary social and economic issues provide students with a bilingual environment to explore American, Latin, and Caribbean perspectives on sustainability.
 

São Paulo, Brazil: As Brazil’s economic and cultural hub and the largest city in Latin America, São Paulo is known for its cultural diversity, economic influence, social movements, and diverse artistic expressions. The city is home to a thriving international community, a robust arts scene, and smart city innovations that will help students prepare for the future in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
 

Summary of CIEE’s Ecology, Sustainability, and Smart Cities Program Portfolio

To learn more about updates to our Ecology, Sustainability, and Smart Cities program portfolio, visit our website, reach out to your manager of institutional relations, and join our March Madness Town Hall on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 12 p.m. EST.