Studying in the UK has completely changed how I see the world. As a Ukrainian student living through a time of crisis in my home country, I’ve learned to see travel as a privilege, not a given. Every opportunity to go somewhere, learn something new, or meet new people is a gift. But I also know that travel, if we’re not careful, can take a toll on the environment.
To begin, the first time I travelled for a youth exchange in Europe, I packed way too much. Half of it is wrapped in plastic, and most of it is unnecessary. I can say that since that time, I’ve started thinking more critically about how I move through the world. It started with small things: reusable water bottles, solid toiletries, and using tote bags instead of plastic ones. But over time, these habits became part of who I am right now. When I can, I take trains instead of planes. When flying is unavoidable, I use carbon offset programs and make sure the rest of my journey is as eco-friendly as possible.
Furthermore, at the University of Edinburgh, where I study Politics and International Relations, I’ve connected with other students who care about sustainability, and I’ve taken part in campus events focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) are the areas where I am curious, and it is not just because they’re global goals, but because I’ve seen how urgently we need them at home in Ukraine, where rebuilding will require sustainable thinking at every level. To continue, I’ve also been active in Ukraine. I’ve volunteered with organisations like ¨Dobrobat¨ and ¨Prosvita¨, helping to organise local clean-ups, awareness campaigns, and community events that promote sustainability. In addition, during my volunteering in the ¨Prosvita¨, I suggested making our events more eco-conscious. For example, using fewer printed materials, supporting local suppliers, and making our outreach digital-first, people listened. Recently, I’ve started creating a small guide for British students who are preparing to study or travel abroad at the University of Edinburgh. For instance, how to pack your luggage or backpack sustainably, what habits to build to be more eco-friendly, and how to find eco-friendly choices in new cities. I see that this guidance can be really useful for people who care about nature, who care about our planet. Moreover, I believe that this initiative can bring more people to this incredible opportunity to save the planet.
To come to the point, I want to state that sustainability isn’t just words. For me, it’s something I try to live right now, in the real world. I see that I need to learn more in this field. That’s why this scholarship would mean so much to me. It would support not just my travel, but my mission to grow as a student, share what I learn with others, and allow me to make huge changes in this area!
