Coming to Australia from Roehampton University in London has been one of the most exciting decisions of my life. New landscapes, new cultures, and new perspectives — it’s everything I hoped for in an exchange experience. But as I boarded that long-haul flight, I couldn’t shake the quiet voice in my head asking, “What’s the cost to the planet?”
That question has stayed with me—and shaped how I’ve approached my time here. I knew I couldn’t undo the emissions from that flight, but I could at least try to balance it. I chose to offset the journey through a reforestation project and committed to making more sustainable choices while in Australia.
Since arriving, I’ve swapped convenience for consciousness. I walk, cycle, or use public transport whenever I can—not just because it’s greener, but because it’s how I get to really see the place. I carry a reusable bottle, cup, and tote bag everywhere (my backpack basically rattles with all my eco gear now). It’s not glamorous, but it makes a difference.
Living in student accommodation, I’ve been more mindful of energy and water use, and I’ve gotten into a steady rhythm of recycling and reducing food waste. I’ve also started shopping at local markets and supporting small Aussie businesses. It’s better for the environment—and honestly, it’s where the best coffee is.
One of the most meaningful moments was joining a beach clean-up along the Gold Coast. What began as a simple act of picking up rubbish turned into a conversation with locals about how climate change is already reshaping their coastal communities. That day stuck with me.
Sustainability, I’ve learned, isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. Paying attention. Asking: Can I do this differently? And more often than not, the answer is yes.
I may only be in Australia for a short time, but I want to leave behind more understanding than waste. If I can take these habits home, and maybe even inspire a few others along the way, then this journey will have been not just a learning experience—but a small step toward a lighter, greener footprint.
