Travel

Immersion + travel

We encourage all of our students to be active, thoughtful travelers who think critically about their choices when traveling and the impact these choices have on the communities you visit and the people who live there.

Think through these topics:

Avoid contributing to overtourism
Educate yourself about the destination
Respect the environment
Stay, eat, and buy local

US smart traveler enrollment program

The US Department of State recommends any students studying abroad to enroll in the STEP Program. STEP will provide notifications of a pending natural disaster or emergency in your area, and send you evacuation information once a disaster hits. In addition, registering for STEP makes it easier for the State Department to find you, and get you the help you need – up to and including evacuation. It is each student's responsibility to obtain and carry at all times a valid passport and any other travel documents necessary while traveling abroad.

Each student is recommended to enroll in the STEP while in Italy.

Independent Travel

While students are encouraged to travel independently of the Spring Hill College travel program (should your program dates allow), we hope that you will do so in a conscientious manner. The content below is food for thought.

We’re in the age of the overtourist. You can avoid being one of them.The overtourism problem isn’t going away. Here’s how not to make it worse.

Ten overcrowded tourist destinations and 10 just as fabulous alternativesHere’s how you can help the sites and cities that draw too many visitors.

How to be a better touristOver-tourism is suffocating cities around the world. Here’s what you can do to avoid being part of the problem – short of staying home.

‘Overtourism’ Worries Europe. How Much Did Technology Help Get Us There?A rising chorus blames Airbnb, Uber and other internet-enabled travel conveniences for a boom that threatens a sustainable balance.

From Amsterdam to Venice, the impact of too many tourists sparks outrage and actionSeveral recent events, incidents and widely shared images have brought the issue of "overtourism," and its economic, environmental and human consequences front and center. It is being blamed for everything from climbers dying on Mount Everest to cruise ships going aground in Venice.