Namaste, Sat Sri Akaal, Vanakkam, Salaam.
Of the countless ways to greet people in my native country of India, as a young kid, only one stood out as “not foreign” to me: a simple hello, how are you? Though I was born and raised in the United States, my parents were intentional about keeping me connected to my roots—enrolling me in classical Indian arts, taking me to Indian Sunday school, and traveling “home” to India every year.
Those trips shaped me. They didn’t just connect me to my culture—they exposed me to the beauty of many others. Along the way, I discovered that when I greeted someone in their native language—Bonjour in France, Ciao in Italy, Yassas in Greece, ¡Hola! in Mexico—it sparked joy. People lit up. I began to understand that a greeting isn’t just a word; it’s a sign of respect, humility, and curiosity. That lesson has stayed with me—and now guides how I move through the world, not only socially, but environmentally.
To me, sustainable travel is another form of respect. Just as a greeting honors culture, sustainable choices honor the land and its people. That’s why I’ve made intentional efforts to reduce my environmental impact in every place I call home. In Boston, where I grew up, my family installed solar panels and began composting years ago. At home, we reuse, recycle, and minimize water and energy waste as much as possible.
Now in college on Long Island, I’ve carried those habits with me. I take the LIRR and subway daily rather than drive, shop secondhand, and carry reusable items—from water bottles to utensils to grocery bags. These aren’t performative—they’re habits woven into my life, because I understand the responsibility of consumption.
As I prepare for my international placement in London, I intend to carry that mindset forward. I’ll rely on public transport, stay in environmentally conscious housing, reduce plastic use, and be intentional with energy and water. I also plan to engage with local sustainability efforts—whether through volunteering at a community garden, participating in a river cleanup, or supporting neighborhood businesses that center sustainability.
My approach directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). But more importantly, it reflects how I believe we should travel: not as consumers, but as conscious guests.
Whether it’s a word or a habit, a greeting or a gesture, respect leaves a lasting impact. As I step into this next chapter in London, I’m committed to carrying both—because being a thoughtful traveler means more than crossing borders. It means leaving footprints that honor the people, the planet, and the shared future we’re all responsible for.
