As a student at the University of Poitiers, you have the opportunity to study or do an internship abroad during your university course.

However, going abroad does not necessarily mean getting on a plane and causing pollution. Today, there are several tools available to help you measure your environmental impact in advance and organise your trip in a more environmentally-friendly way.

The university can give you some tips on how to achieve the best possible carbon neutrality.

Most universities around the world are engaged in sustainable development and social responsibility. Be sure to check out the website of your partner university: you should be able to find information there about the initiatives that have been set up and how you can contribute to them.

If possible, especially if you are travelling from Poitiers to a European city, try to avoid flying. Many cities are easily accessible by train from Paris.

The new Interrail Erasmus+ Pass allows Erasmus students to travel across Europe from their home country at a reasonable price without flying.

For more information, click here.

As a way of encouraging travel by environmentally responsible transport, under the Erasmus+ programme it is possible to request and receive an eco-transport financial supplement in addition to your Erasmus+ grant.

From 2024, the average eco-friendly transport package (higher than the standard average transport package) will be awarded to students who have made their return journey at the beginning and end of their mobility period between France and the host country, upon presentation of supporting documents.

Average eco-friendly transport package based on the distance between Poitiers and the host city during the mobility period:

10 to 99 km: €56
100 to 499 km: €285
500 to 1,999 km: €417
2,000 to 2,999 km: €535
3,000 to 3,999 km: €785
4,000 to 7,999 km: €1,188
more than 8,000 km: €1,735

To calculate the distance corresponding to your mobility, consult the Distance Calculator tool of the European Commission.

Favouring soft mobility: public transport, cycling, etc.

Managing waste

Buying local/second-hand goods

Good practice: Example of UP EC2U students: https://ec2u.eu/travelling-eco-responsibly-through-europe-is-possible-by-students-from-university-of-poitiers/