“One Duffle, One Planet: A Sustainable Journey from Home to Kansas”
When I step off the plane at Kansas City International Airport, I won’t just be arriving in a new country — I’ll be continuing a commitment to tread as lightly as possible on the planet that is my home.
Studying International Relations at the University of Kansas opens the door to global impact, but getting there responsibly has been on my mind just as much as what I’ll learn in class. Yes, I am flying a necessity yet unfortunate must for crossing the Atlantic, but I will be offsetting the environmental cost not just through a donation to ‘just ONE Treee’, but practically: by volunteering in local clean-up initiatives, removing waste from nearby streams, lakes, and rivers. This is my response to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, which calls for pressing action to reduce marine pollution.
Once in Kansas, I’ll be joining KU’s international student ride-share service — a community-led, low-emissions alternative that reflects SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. My housing choice is intentional too: sustainable accommodation within walking distance of campus. To reach rugby training without relying on the bus system, I plan to buy a second-hand bike, hopefully funded by this bursary, reducing both emissions and cost.
I’ve also chosen to travel light, limited to one duffle bag, to reduce the weight of my flight and encourage minimalism. Once there, I’ll be sourcing clothes and essentials through Depop (https://www.depop.com) and Vinted(https://www.vinted.com), both of which promote circular fashion and extend the life of garments, addressing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. These platforms, along with local Kansas charity shops, help reduce reliance on fast fashion and its significant environmental toll.
To reduce food waste, I’ll continue using Too Good To Go(https://toogoodtogo.com), an app that allows users to purchase leftover food from cafes and restaurants at a discount, helping to redirect surplus meals from landfills. Additionally, I plan to start using Olio(https://olioapp.com), a sharing platform where locals give away surplus groceries and household items, promoting community-driven sustainability and conscious consumption.
For exploring Kansas without relying on ride-hailing apps, I’ll be planning my cycling and walking routes using Komoot (https://www.komoot.com), which maps eco-friendly trails and scenic bike paths. And to share my journey and inspire other students to adopt similar habits,
To me, my journey to Kansas is more than just an academic experience; it’s a commitment to sustainable travel, rooted in the values passed down to me by my grandmother. A lifelong advocate for eco-conscious fashion and lifestyle, even to this day, she continues to repair clothing and teaches textile skills to women in her community, proving that small acts can stitch together lasting change.
In my opinion, Sustainability isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. And I hope my persistence will have an effect that will ripple into something bigger and maybe, just maybe, one duffle bag can carry a little hope for the planet, too.
