Host: Hello, and welcome back to our podcast. Today, we are speaking with Roxana Faridjoo, a physics student, sustainability advocate, and recently returned study-abroad explorer. She is here to share with us how she spent her time abroad at the University of Edinburgh.
Roxana: Thanks for having me. My main goal whenever I am abroad is to honor the opportunities I have been given by remaining respectful, ethical, and environmentally conscious.
Host: That’s what we like to hear here on “The Stay Sustainable Podcast.” So, what measures did you take in Edinburgh to Stay Sustainable?
Roxana: A lot of it came down to small, consistent habits. I walked or took public transit everywhere— Edinburgh’s buses (www.lothianbuses.com) are great and reliable. If you are under the age of 22 and staying in the country for at least 6 months, you can get free nationwide bus travel by applying for the Young Scot National Entitlement Card. When I wanted to explore outside the city, I took the train (www.scotrail.co.uk) to Glasgow instead of flying: the views were beautiful and the emissions low.
Host: Public transport is much more sustainable than private cars or domestic flights.
Roxana: And there is more to sustainability than just how you commute. A friend of mine told me about a nearby coffee shop called Little Fitzroy. They give you a discount for bringing a reusable mug when you purchase a drink! My coffee shop Instagram posts became cuter, and I avoided a mountain of takeaway cups. It’s easy to work these little, sustainable rituals into your daily life— and they align directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Host: Love that. What about the choices you made before your trip?
Roxana: Packing light; packing second-hand. Since I am from California, I needed to buy some warmer clothes for my trip. Luckily, I found everything I needed— boots, a thick coat, scarves— from a local thrift store. I love thrift stores! When I first got to Edinburgh and was exploring the city on foot, I stumbled across loads of great secondhand shops by my apartment: Oxfam (www.oxfam.org.uk) was my favorite. During the semester, I bought a couple of sweaters and donated some t-shirts (it’s cold there!); overall, I was mindful not to over consume. This kind of intentional shopping supports SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Buying second hand helps reduce textile waste and the environmental footprint of fast fashion.
Host: That’s our time! Any last advice?
Roxana: I encourage all you explorers to study the UN SDGs (sdgs.un.org/goals) before going abroad and discover new ways to Stay Sustainable in your day-to-day life. Climate change touches every corner of the globe— even historic cities like Edinburgh, where the winters are becoming warmer and the rains heavier. By making mindful choices while abroad, we can help preserve the places we’re lucky enough to explore.
