As a Biomedicine student now undertaking a year-long placement in China, sustainability has become an integral element of my approach to both travel and daily living overseas. Living abroad has inspired me to make even more deliberate decisions every day, and studying biomedicine has made me particularly conscious of the relationship between environmental factors and human health.
One of the first things I immediately noticed when living in China is the massive quantity of plastic waste produced by online buying platforms like Taobao and Meituan. Even while these apps are highly handy , convenient and extensively utilised, every little purchase arrives wrapped in numerous layers of plastic wrapping, along with throwaway bags, cups, and cutlery. Seeing how rapidly this garbage accumulates completely shifted my outlook on consumption patterns.As a result, I took the initiative and made a firm personal decision from the start of my year abroad to immediately discontinue purchasing online until absolutely essential . Instead, I eat in university canteens and local eateries, which allows me to reduce wasteful single-use plastic waste while simultaneously supporting local businesses and experiencing Chinese culture more authentically. For clothing and personal items, I buy every item in person rather than using delivery services, and I always ensure to bring and reuse my own handbag or tote bag rather than taking plastic bags from retailers.
Additionally, my awareness of the brands I support has increased. For instance, compared to many other chains, I prefer businesses like Chapanda that use biodegradable paper cups or drastically decrease plastic packaging when purchasing beverages like bubble tea. Even though each of these actions might appear small, I firmly believe that sustainability is developed through regular habits and daily routines. Living overseas has also given me the opportunity to have an impact on others around me. Along with my friends from my home university who are also on placement, I actively urge the friends I have made here in China to follow similar sustainable practices. Whether it’s taking reusable bags when shopping, cutting out on pointless internet shopping, or opting to eat in rather than order delivery I make an effort to encourage sustainability in my daily interactions and deeds.
I now have a deeper and personal grasp of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), thanks to my placement year. I’ve grown more conscious of the connection between preserving the environment and safeguarding human health and future generations as a result of my education and travels. Ultimately, I hope my year in China will reflect not only academic and professional development, but also responsible global citizenship. Living sustainably overseas has taught me that significant environmental influence frequently results from tiny, thoughtful actions made consistently every day rather than from large gestures. I intend to maintain these routines and principles throughout my future work in scientific research and healthcare .
