Some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about the world have come not from textbooks, but from walking. Completing the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage twice, through the lesser-known rural villages of northern Spain, taught me to travel slowly, mindfully, and with reverence for the land and people who host us. Far removed from airports and motorways, I moved on foot, passing through olive groves and tiny hamlets where locals welcomed me with generosity and stories. This kind of travel, rooted in presence rather than pace, left a lasting mark on how I now understand sustainability.
Now, as a geography student at the University of Bristol, and soon to be a visiting student at the University of Sydney, I carry those lessons with me, and I always try to apply sustainable theory to my actions. My academic path follows questions of climate justice, environmental responsibility, and sustainable urban development. Living and studying in a city like Sydney will allow me to examine these ideas firsthand. But I also recognize that international study comes with an environmental cost. Air travel, consumption, and daily living abroad all contribute to my footprint. That’s why I’m determined to make this year as low-impact and meaningful as possible.
One of the first choices I made was to commit to cycling in Sydney. Back home, my bike is my main form of transport—not just a way to stay fit, but a deliberate choice to reduce emissions and connect more deeply with my surroundings. I plan to continue that habit in Australia, exploring Sydney’s cycleways and advocating for active, accessible transport options. It’s one way to align my daily routine with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
I also aim to live and travel locally wherever possible, seeking out opportunities to engage with Indigenous knowledge and community-led sustainability projects. These interactions, like those I experienced on the Camino, remind me that the most sustainable travel happens when we listen—when we honour place, history, and people rather than consuming them as attractions.
Finally, I’m reducing single-use consumption by continuing my zero-waste habits—carrying reusables, shopping locally, and cooking plant-based meals. Small acts but collectively powerful when practiced over time. These habits support Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and remind me that sustainability is not just about policies—it’s about choices, every day.
To travel is a privilege, but it also comes with responsibility. I believe that with conscious intention, study abroad can be more than just a personal milestone, it can be a model for how young people engage with the world in ways that respect its limits and celebrate its richness. My time in Sydney will be another chapter in that journey, a continuation of the pilgrimage, in new terrain.
