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, log in using your Middlebury credentials and 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. Only one person needs to fill out the form. 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.
Proposals will be reviewed and approved by Middlebury Schools Abroad staff. We ask that students apply at least one week in advance of their proposed activity date. 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
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.
When can this funding be used?
Funding is available for the Spring 2025 semester, from the first day through the official end date of a student’s program. Proposals can cover local activities on a Friday evening, Saturday, and/or Sunday, as well as activities over extended school breaks that you choose to spend in your host community rather than traveling elsewhere.
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. This funding is meant for experiences; it cannot be used to buy gifts, souvenirs, or material goods in most circumstances.
*For insurance purposes, this funding cannot be used for the following activities: SCUBA diving, sky diving, mountaineering, parasailing, hang gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping.
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.
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 or deny proposals based on overall cost.
Can I apply more than once?
Multiple proposals throughout the semester are welcome, but funding is not guaranteed.
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.
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. More details will be provided in a follow up email after a proposal is approved. Grantees are expected to follow up regarding reimbursement within 4 weeks of their proposed activity date. If they fail to do so, their funding is subject to reallocation.
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.
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.
Some Student Stories:
Will & Bryce, Madrid, Spring 2025
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.
Kseniia, Madrid, Spring 2025
My host family told me about a Tibetan Buddhist center in Madrid where different events are organized weekly, and everyone is welcome to join. I thought it was a great opportunity to invite my family to do an activity together and make use of the Go Global, Stay Local funding. We went to one of the meditation sessions, which featured live music with Southeast Asian instruments, including a gong—something I hadn’t experienced before.
Claire & friends, Oxford, Spring 2025
Our punting trip at Magdalen College was so much fun! We split up into groups with about 4-5 people on each boat and most took turns steering with a paddle or using the punting pole to push the boat through the water. I’d never heard of punting before coming to Oxford, so it was very special to take part in such a long-standing tradition. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and the ducks were quacking. Our group had a lovely picnic afterwards to celebrate and commemorate our lovely semester together.
Mia & friends, Valdivia, Spring 2025
I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend a weekend exploring some of the delicious food here in Valdivia, thanks to the Go Global, Stay Local funding! We spent the weekend trying a few of the restaurants that had been highly recommended to us by our friends and host families - places that we had passed many times but never taken the time to sit down at. This experience absolutely reaffirmed my belief that having conversations over yummy food is one of the best ways to really connect with others. We easily spent 2-3 hours at each restaurant just talking, laughing, and learning more about each other’s unique experiences abroad. I usually have a tendency to just treat meals as filler time between other commitments throughout the day, so it was lovely to be able to intentionally set aside time this weekend to savor each meal and appreciate the experience with friends. This experience reminded me of the importance of taking the time to explore new places in the city, and renewed my gratitude for living here this semester. Its safe to say I had the best empanadas of my life this weekend!
Ben & friends, Kaohsiung, Spring 2025
For my Stay Local Project, I decided to take a mix of Middlebury students and local Sun Yat-Sen University students on a day long hike of Mount Qiwei (旗尾山). Although within the borders of Kaohsiung City, getting to Mount Qiwei required a bit of time on Kaohsiung’s wonderfully convenient public transit. Although never having been to the hiking spot, navigating the metro system and bus transit posed no problems. Upon arrival we were greeted by spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. We also saw some local wildlife in the form of a Crested Serpent Eagle near the end of the trail. For me, the highlight of the trip was leaving the city and experiencing the natural beauty of Taiwan. After so much time in an urban environment, it was refreshing to spend some time with friends out on the trail. After the hike concluded, we also had the opportunity to visit one of Kaohsiung’s most famous old streets, where we enjoyed a well deserved lunch of traditional Taiwanese dishes including my personal favorite clear soup beef noodles (清燉牛肉麵）.
Lily & Miyu, Tokyo, Spring 2025
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.
Catherine, Buenos Aires, Spring 2025
Some of the students in our program met up on Friday afternoon in Parque Centenario, a beautiful park in the Villa Crespo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, to drink mate with the new materials I was able to buy with Go Global, Stay Local funding. Drinking Yerba mate out of the traditional mate cups is a really popular and cultural activity in Argentina, and sharing the mate with others is an important part of that experience! Everybody shares one cup and passes it around in turns. It was fun to be able to participate for ourselves after seeing other groups sharing mate since we’ve arrived. The park and mate culture here really encourages slowing down, taking a break from the more chaotic parts of the city, and enjoying quality time with friends. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, and we felt like true locals!
Isbeth & friends, Niterói, Spring 2024
Since I was born, I have experienced the passion and love for soccer through my family. Every time our teams played—Morelia (our local soccer team in Michoacán), Mexico in the World Cup, or Real Madrid—-we would sit through the game feeling every emotion possible but continue loving the sport no matter the results. Once I had started playing on a team, all I wanted to do was be on the field—whether it was raining or not. The World Cups helped me see the talent of the Brazilian soccer team, which is why I wanted to attend a game at Maracanã. This GGSL experience opened the opportunity for my friends and I to finally meet the team that Pele played for, and watch Neymar play in Maracanã for Santos for the first time after many years. It allowed the child in me to heal. Thank you for allowing us to experience the love for soccer through Santos x Fluminense.
Katie & friends, Bordeaux, Spring 2025
With our GGSL funds, we spent time checking off Bordeaux bucket list items we have collected over the semester. We began Saturday with a tour of the Grosse Cloche, a monument we walk by often but were never previously able to enter. Besides taking in a beautiful, new view of the city, we learned all about the structure’s complex history… In the evening, Sarah, Numi, and I went to a Girondins de Bordeaux match at Mutmut Atlantique. We learned the team’s typical cheers and watched them win, and the game also prompted us to learn about the complex recent history of the team. On Sunday afternoon, the four of us went to a tour and dégustation at Château Pape Clément V to cap off our experience learning about wine and the wine-making process this semester. Our guide explained different ecological elements of making wine, including how and why certain pesticides are used and concerns about pollution at this particular vineyard. I have found the interactions between wine-making and the climate to be fascinating all semester, and this was another interesting, concrete example. My biggest takeaway from the weekend was just how diverse the offerings of Bordeaux are!
Lazar, Yaoundé, Spring 2025
During my stay in Cameroon, visiting various artisanal markets was my favorite activity. I would get to know local artisans and they would tell me various stories and legends, as well as explain about how masks, clothes, and jewelry are made! It is all the more exciting knowing I am contributing to a sustainable local economy adapted to Cameroon. This time I went with my host sister and we enjoyed our time bargaining, chatting, and buying some souvenirs! In the evening, we enjoyed a nice dinner as a way to say thank you to the people who kept me company and who made me feel like a family member during my time in Yaoundé. It wasn’t hard choosing a restaurant, knowing almost everywhere in Cameroon food is prepared from local ingredients.
Madeline & friends, Paris, Spring 2025
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.
Belin & Bel, Paris, Spring 2025
Belin: I really enjoyed (and suffered through) running the Paris Marathon. Not only during the marathon, but also all throughout my training, running gave me the opportunity to explore the city and see places I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. It gave me a sense that I really understood and felt confident in Paris rather than just being a tourist. I also used running as a way to connect with and meet new people and practice my French skills. Bel: Unfortunately I injured myself while training and was unable to complete the whole marathon, but since I had started training and had a bib in the race I accompanied Belin, and our friend Luca who was running it for charity, halfway along the course. Joining over 55,000 runners (the world record for the most people to ever run a marathon together) who had been training and now running for the same goal together felt super empowering. During our training we ran by sunsets next to the Seine River, stumbled upon quaint streets including one with the oldest house still standing in Paris and immersed ourselves in the nature surrounding the city, too.
Avery & friends, Valdivia, Spring 2025
We had a great time kayaking in Valdivia along the Cutipay River. We made the most of a rare sunny day and paddled all the way to the wetlands. Afterward, we enjoyed some homemade murta (a berry local to central and southern Chile) ice cream and ended the day with a delicious dinner. This experience made me reflect on how small choices, like choosing locally made products or exploring nearby areas, support sustainable living.
Masaylo, Madrid, Spring 2025
My friends and I spent a beautiful Sunday soaking in the warmth of Madrid in the springtime. We began our day at the Real Jardín Botánico, where we were greeted by a stunning array of tulips in full bloom. The tulips were so vibrant and beautiful, it was our favorite part of the day. From there, we wandered through the paths of Retiro Park and enjoyed the sight of people rowing boats on the pond and music playing. As the day turned into evening, we capped it off with dinner in Charmartín.
El & Ella, Florence, Spring 2025
We took a perfume making class in the city center of Florence. We learned a little bit about the history of perfume making in Florence, and then the process of making a perfume. We were given samples of the different scents, and they explained how the different layers and notes work together and make up different parts of the perfume. After that, they let us make our own combination. It was so fun learning about each of the ingredients and testing different combinations. In the end, we both made pretty similar perfumes, but also unique to us. It was so special supporting a local and Florentine owned business and getting to make something so personal… After the lesson, we headed to a local bakery we had been wanting to try. While not exactly an Italian delicacy, we had the most amazing cinnamon roll. It was so fun to go to a place in the city that we had not been to, explore an area we hadn’t spent much time in, and get something wonderful to remember it all by!
Levy, Astana, Spring 2025
On Saturday, I decided that it was time to visit “Alzhir,” a memorial and museum dedicated to victims of Stalinist repression, located close to Astana. I had been wanting to visit this museum since arriving in Kazakhstan, and with the long, cold winter finally gone and spring here, I decided it was time. This memorial and museum aims to tell the story of a lesser known aspect of the history of the GULAG system within the former USSR, namely the imprisonment of women and children under the age of three. My visit was certainly emotional but I feel I have walked away with a greater understanding of the GULAG system as a whole and its place within Kazakh history. This experience has only served to both enrich the studies that I have been completing here at Nazarbayev University, where many subjects have touched on the history of the Great Terror and political repression in the USSR, but my broader research in the history of Soviet and post-Soviet space. I would highly recommend this museum and memorial to any student wishing to gain a first hand insight into the history we discuss here in the classroom.
Paw Bwe, Tokyo, Spring 2025
I spent a day in Koto City, Tokyo to watch the Star Wars in Concert at the Tokyo Garden Theatre in Ariake. This was my first time traveling through Tokyo and navigating the transportation system by myself. I got lost a couple times but eventually found my way there! The concert was amazing; they screened Star Wars: A New Hope, and had an orchestra band on stage to play the soundtracks live. The theatre was full of locals and tourists alike who shared the interest of Star Wars, the arts, or both. At the end of the show, the crowd gave the musicians a 10-minute standing ovation. I love Star Wars and have always wanted to go to a live movie concert, so I’m very grateful to have gotten the opportunity to experience this.
Kendall, Madrid, Spring 2025
Staying local in Madrid ended up being such a fun and rewarding experience. I went to a candlelight ballet performance of Black Swan, and it was honestly so beautiful. The live music and dancing pulled me into the story, and I loved that I could enjoy something so special without even leaving the city. I also went on a hike with ALUNI, which was a nice break and a great way to meet other students learning Spanish. Being out in nature and exploring the area was super refreshing. These experiences showed me that you don’t have to go far to do something memorable—and that staying local is an easy way to be a little more sustainable, too.