Go Global, Stay Local Funding
Rather than traveling somewhere else for a weekend or break, students can opt to stay local and take advantage of this funding to get to know their host community, further their immersion experience, try something new, and reduce their environmental impact.
Thanks to the Provost’s Academic Council at Middlebury College and their Fund for Strategic Initiatives, any student studying at a Middlebury C.V. Starr School Abroad during the Spring 2025 semester can apply for Go Global, Stay Local funding. Explore this page to learn more about the funding and application process! Take a look at the FAQs below and feel free to email Asa Waterworth (awaterworth@middlebury.edu) any time with further questions.
Apply for funding today!
To apply, submit a 1-2 paragraph proposal of the local activity (or activities) that you would like to participate in, the estimated cost, and how the activities relate to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal(s). You can submit individual or collaborative group proposals for activities you might engage in solo, with classmates, with local friends, with members of your host families, or with any combination thereof. Only one person needs to fill out the form.
Proposals will be reviewed and approved by Middlebury Schools Abroad staff. Students will be notified within a week of submission. After stay local activities have been completed, students must submit the following in order to be reimbursed:
- A brief reflection on how they spent their time locally thanks to funding
- Photos from their local activity/activities; videos and more creative content are welcome, too.
- Itemized receipts and a completed reimbursement form
Photos and excerpts of reflections will be shared out via various Middlebury social media channels and may be used in Middlebury Schools Abroad promotional materials. We will also showcase this project and some of the activities that students participate in on the Sustainability section of Middlebury’s International Programs website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Who can apply for funding?
This funding is available to undergraduate students (from Middlebury and other colleges and universities) and graduate students studying at one of the Middlebury Schools Abroad in Spring 2025.
Q When can this funding be used?
Funding is available for the Spring 2025 semester, from January 1st until mid/late June. Proposals can cover local activities on a Friday evening, Saturday, and/or Sunday, as well as activities over school breaks that you choose to spend in your host community rather than traveling elsewhere.
Q What do you mean by “local” activity?
Something you can do within your host city that is accessible via public transportation, bike, scooter, or on foot.
Q Can you give me an example?
Host a game night, invite classmates to a picnic, sign up for a Saturday morning fitness class with friends, take your host family to the movies, visit a museum you haven’t been to, host a themed dinner party in your residence hall, organize a beach clean up followed by brunch, etc. We encourage you to combine multiple ideas to create the ultimate weekend itinerary and can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Q How much funding can I apply for?
We expect that proposals will vary greatly based on activities, location, number of participants, and other variables. As a result, there is no maximum amount a student can apply for, but Middlebury Schools Abroad staff reserves the right to ask applicants to amend their proposed budget(s) if deemed necessary.
Q Can I apply more than once?
Multiple proposals throughout the semester are welcome, but funding is not guaranteed. If funding remains, applications will be accepted through mid-June 2025.
Q Can I apply with a friend or as a small group?
Of course! Only one person will need to fill out the proposal form, but you can and should include the names of other students in the form when prompted.
Q How does payment/reimbursement work?
Students will be expected to pay out of pocket for proposed activities and will be reimbursed upon the completion of the reflection and reimbursement forms. If collaborating with others on a proposal, we request that one person cover the costs upfront to simplify the reimbursement process. Reimbursements should take approximately 2 weeks via direct deposit to your US bank account. We do not recommend requesting reimbursement via check.
Q Can I host an event at my School’s center?
Most likely! Run your idea past program staff and Asa will be sure to loop them in when you submit your proposal.
Q Can my friend who is visiting me join?
In the spirit of staying local and reducing travel-related emissions, we ask that you do not host visitors or friends visiting from other programs or sites while participating in funded stay local activities.
Student Stories:
Will & Bryce, Madrid
On the second day of classes, Will and I signed up for a padél session at UC3M, and after playing for only thirty minutes, we knew we had to sign up for another. To cap off our first week of classes in Madrid, we joined another session in the southern part of the city that Friday evening. Four other people signed up with us, all of whom were expats, including our coach. It was a unique experience talking and playing with a diverse group in a place new to all of us. Through an hour of play, Will and I sharpened our understanding of the game, particularly the importance of a good lob, which helps slow the pace and can tempt opponents into mistakenly spiking the ball into the net. After the session, our coach, Danny, treated us all to tapas at a local bar, where we shared stories and learned about one another’s backgrounds: Mike from Indonesia, Anouck from France, and Elena and Janou from Scotland. With both Danny and Elena being English teachers, our conversation naturally drifted toward the challenges of learning Spanish and the grammatical differences between languages. The entire experience was a reminder of how sports can be a catalyst for bringing people together, even when they come from different parts of the world.
Miyu & friends, Tokyo
Our experience at Yomiuri Land was splendid and fascinating! Especially, the GoodJob! Attractions area stood out as it was a unique blend of showcasing Japanese companies’ from security companies, instant ramen, and energy drinks incorporated into the attractions and workshop activities we were able to do. A ‘Sky Patrol’ ride sponsored by a security company had a twist that we pedaled ourselves to get around the whole course that allowed us to gain a view of the park from a different perspective! At the workshops, we made our very own ramune candy and U.F.O. yakisoba noodles! Through these hands-on opportunities, we learned how much these products from Japanese companies are incorporated into the park itself, and are a representation of Japanese modern culture/industry. Finally, the night illumination and fountain show powered by reusable, clean energy was an absolutely stunning view to see as the day came to a close. Surrounded by greenery and mountains around, Yomiuri Land was a park unlike any other we’ve been before, and was a great way to refresh ourselves while getting exposure to new experiences!
Madeline & friends, Paris
Staying local this spring break in Paris was a wonderful way to connect with friends, appreciate French culture, and be mindful of the environment. My friends and I hosted a dinner where we cooked two big pots of mussels along with other classic French dishes. It was a fun and rewarding experience to prepare everything together (and I would say we cooked a dinner that could rival a real Parisian.) We also enjoyed a picnic in front of the Tuileries, taking in the beauty of Paris while keeping our plans simple and sustainable. This experience reminded me that some of the best moments don’t require traveling far. Sharing meals, exploring local traditions, talking about our experiences in France so far, and spending time in the city’s beautiful public spaces made me feel even more connected to Paris and my friends.
Odyssey & friends, Tokyo
At Tokyo Disneyland we were able to ride the wonderful attractions, see the beautiful parades, enjoy tasty mochi in the shape of the Toy Story aliens, and so much more. While in the park, we saw so many people in costume, school uniforms, and Disney inspired outfits all of which were quite fashionable and cute. The park was kept quite clean with recycling and trash cans in abundance around the park. (Tokyo Disney has made an effort to implement more sustainable packaging, charges fees for shopping bags, allows visitors to bring their eco bags, and sells them at the park as well. Trash is also separated often by hand, based on detailed standards to recycle as much as possible.) The staff were so sweet and helpful, even giving us stickers when we told them we were students. I appreciate how easy it was to get to the park. For one day, we were able to enjoy the whimsical park and we got to have a nice break from our busy student lives.
Belin, Paris
I had a wonderful experience staying in Paris over February Break. I explored Versailles, something I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t been able to find the time for… [My friend] Bel and I went to an orchid exhibit at the National Natural History Museum. I saw more orchids than I knew existed, and learned that orchids are actually native to every continent (minus Antartica) which I was not expecting and found super cool. Being in the humid greenhouse, surrounded by so much green and colorful orchids, I felt like I was somewhere else, and realized that I really didn’t need to leave Paris to get a change of scenery, or the the nature that I’ve been craving. Lastly, I went to see Gracie Abrams. It was absolutely fantastic. I got to talk to some super sweet girls in French and listen to my favorite songs while screaming my heart out. I was so content with my plan to stay in Paris this break.
Lily & Miyu, Tokyo
Miyu and I went to a local Strawberry Festival to celebrate the fruit’s season and local strawberry farmers from Tokyo! We found this event through a local forum and, to our surprise, seems to be quite a large event with strawberry cuisine vendors and craft artisans of all kinds. We loved the idea of such a simple part of nature being celebrated in such a lively fashion, so we thought this would be a perfect way to spend our weekend. We were able to taste strawberries and strawberry-flavored desserts brought by local strawberry farmers and vendors! It opened our eyes to importance of sustainable farming and supporting local business. After this, we had a light lunch and experienced the wonderful atmosphere of Chinatown. We ended the day visiting a museum based around the culinary history of ramen.