The Ultimate Guide to CIEE’s Sustainable Smart Cities Program
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Embark on an innovative study abroad experience that propels you into the future: CIEE’s new Sustainable Smart Cities program.
A journey like no other in the global education space, you’ll be surrounded by other students passionate about technology and environmental sustainability. You’ll also discover how cities around the world are implementing urban living practices for the benefit of their residents.
Immerse yourself in a semester filled with engaging courses and hands-on learning opportunities as you learn what makes a city truly “smart.” Plus, you’ll get to engage with world-class faculty, collaborate with visionary leaders, tour contemporary companies, and contribute to the inventive solutions transforming the world’s urban landscapes.
With CIEE’s Sustainable Smart Cities program, you’ll go on an educational odyssey you won’t find anywhere else!
What are Sustainable Smart Cities?
They’re the cities of the future, of course!
Sustainable smart cities are urban centers that focus on achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic well-being through digital technologies and modern strategies.
This could include:
- Creating urban spaces, like green roofs or greenways
- Developing energy-efficient buildings with eco-friendly materials
- Implementing water systems that reduce waste and promote conservation
Some of the most popular smart cities in the world include Amsterdam, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Seoul.
Overall, smart cities offer a glimpse into a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future, making them an exciting concept for many people.
The Framework of the Sustainable Smart Cities Program
Out of all the generations, Gen Z is most concerned with today’s environmental challenges. That’s why CIEE created Sustainable Smart Cities: To meet student demand for programming that addresses sustainability planning and implementation.
This is done through:
- Sustainability-focused coursework
- Hands-on experiential learning opportunities
- Best-in-study-abroad excursions, extracurriculars, and co-curricular activities
The combination of these program elements empowers you to become a leader the world needs, fostering a new generation dedicated to building more sustainable and resilient urban environments.
An Overview of the Sustainable Smart Cities Program Model
The Sustainable Smart Cities program shows you how urban planning and technology can shape our future. You’ll gain firsthand knowledge of sustainability challenges and solutions through site visits, local experts, and coursework.
With no prerequisites, students from all majors can participate and take one required sustainability course complemented by co-curricular activities.
Designed for those passionate about sustainable development and urban innovation, this cross-disciplinary program offers diverse course options from CIEE and partner universities.
Sample Sustainable Smart Cities Coursework
Benefit from a range of sustainability courses provided by multiple education partners, ensuring you find the perfect classes to fuel your passion for sustainability.
Through your local CIEE Center, host institutions in your area, and CIEE x ASU online, you’ll choose your courses based on your interests and future career goals:
| Sample CIEE Study Abroad Courses | Sample Host Institution Courses | Sample Arizona State University Courses |
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Best-in-Study-Abroad Program Excursions, Extracurriculars, and Co-Curricular Activities
Beyond the classroom, you’ll take part in excursions, cultural events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities that will deepen your understanding of the sustainability field.
These include:
- Immersive Excursions: Explore more of your host city and country through day and overnight trips. Plus, at least one activity per outing will be directly related to the sustainability program.
- Cultural and Social Activities: Two events will be offered each week, and throughout the semester, at least four will be related to sustainability.
- Sustainability in Practice Workshop: Take part in an optional workshop to compare models of sustainability in your host country and around the world. Topics may include business, public policy, technology, and waste management.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Find like-minded people through local organizations, research institutions, or universities to forward environmental initiatives.
To get a sense of what best-in-class excursions look like in action, consider these top activities:
- Go kayaking in Buenos Aires’ Tigre Delta to study freshwater conservation, discover the importance of wetlands, and observe diverse flora and fauna
- Embark on an exclusive tour of Amsterdam’s groundbreaking floating neighborhood, Schoonschip, to see how cutting-edge sustainability meets innovative urban living
- Tour the 2024 Olympic Village in Paris to discover how the athletes’ village project stood out for its approach in terms of sustainability and improvement of urban quality of life
These experiences let you engage with local communities, contribute to sustainable initiatives, and create lasting connections with fellow passionate individuals.
Optional Immersive Experiential Learning Components
Your study abroad journey is more than sitting in a classroom in another country! With a number of optional learning experiences, you truly can customize your program.
- Get an internship! Yes, you can work part time in the field of sustainability – all while earning credit for it.
- Do independent research! Pursue a topic (approved by CIEE Center staff and your college) related to sustainability and your host city.
- Help the community! Service learning will integrate coursework with hands-on direct service with a community-based organization. Projects relating to sustainability will be offered.
Take the opportunity to shape your future as a changemaker in the quest for a more sustainable world.
The Right Program for the Right Students
Many students could be considered the “ideal” candidate for the Sustainable Smart Cities program.
For example, students drawn to them are often those majoring in environmental studies-type programs, like:
- Environmental Science and Policy
- Environmental Studies
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Sustainable Development
- Sustainability Studies
- Sustainable Urban Development
- Urban and Environmental Policy
- Urban Ecology
- Urban Studies and Planning
- Urban Sustainability
Have an unrelated major? Literature, psychology, or business? No problem! As long as you have an interest in the course topics, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and network needed to build a better tomorrow.
Study Sustainability in CIEE’s Top Smart Cities
Open your eyes to how cities around the world invest in sustainability!
It’s even more important to explore how eco-friendly measures affect international cities: Larger areas use about 78% of the world's energy, accounting for more than 60% of its greenhouse gas emissions.
CIEE offers the Sustainable Smart Cities program in each of the following cities for specific reasons:
| CIEE CENTER | SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES FEATURES |
| Amsterdam | Focuses efforts on real-time energy monitoring and occupancy-based heating, cooling, and lighting in public facilities |
| Berlin | Invests in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and quantum computing to drive sustainable innovation |
| Copenhagen | Aims to be carbon neutral by 2025 and 50% wind-powered by 2030; 300 flood projects and a transit system with more bikes than cars |
| London | Fosters collaborations with 750 data-driven companies and boasting the world's largest air quality sensor network and 3,000 parks |
| Madrid | Aims for a 65% emissions reduction by 2030, adopting new transport technologies, energy rehabilitation, and waste volume reduction |
| Paris | Harnesses connected technology to monitor energy performance, detect infrastructure issues, and motivate citizens to reduce waste |
| Rome | Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2030 and make at least 80% of public buildings carbon-neutral by 2030 |
| Tallinn | Targets 100% renewable energy by 2030, with a strong digitalization focus. Emphasizes sustainable urban transformation |
| Seoul | Champions smart mobility with intelligent transport systems. Leverages technology for flood prevention and real-time water quality monitoring |
| Shanghai | Promotes 75% green transportation by 2027; emphasizes energy-saving renovations and clean energy initiatives for sustainable urban growth |
| Singapore | Seeks to make 80% of buildings eco-friendly and achieve 80% energy efficiency for green buildings |
| Sydney | Promotes renewable energy solutions, with its Sustainable Sydney 2030 initiative leveraging technology and data to promote innovation |
| Tokyo | Aims to realize Zero Emission Tokyo by 2050 with a 50% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 through a hydrogen-based society |
| Buenos Aires | Aims to achieve a +50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050 |
| Santiago | Targets net-zero emissions by 2050 through initiatives such as reforesting over 100,000 hectares of land |
| São Paulo | Plans a 30% emissions reduction by 2030 while expanding public transit to 70% of trips by 2028 |
| Abu Dhabi | Targets achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050; plans to significantly increase renewable energy capacity, with solar energy to account for 50% |
| Cape Town | Aims to make 50% of its building's energy efficient and achieve a carbon-neutral city by 2050 |
Study Sustainability Abroad
By participating in a study abroad program focused on sustainability and smart cities, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to make a lasting impact – on your community, your career, and the world.
Apply for the Sustainable Smart Cities study abroad program today – and take the first step in shaping a brighter tomorrow for generations to come!