When I applied for exchange studies, I made one decision clear from the start: I would only apply to universities that I could reach by train or bus. While choosing destinations, I compared not only the city life, but also the railway and bus connections available.
This decision is closely connected to my studies in the Master’s programme in Applied Climate Strategy. Climate change is not an abstract issue to me; it shapes how I live, travel, and plan for the future. During my exchange in Brighton, I will study courses that complement my education by providing practical tools and methods, such as GIS and programming, to better understand climate change and sustainable urban development.
Travelling sustainably can sometimes feel like swimming upstream. A flight from Sweden to the UK is often cheaper than taking the train, even though trains produce far lower emissions. Choosing the environmentally friendly option therefore requires both extra planning and extra money. That is one of the reasons I am applying for this scholarship: to make sustainable travel financially possible.
My interest in transport systems has also grown through my studies. I am especially fascinated by cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, where cycling and public transport are natural parts of everyday life. These cities prove that sustainable mobility is not about sacrifice; it is about designing cities where the sustainable option is also the easiest and most attractive one.
This connects strongly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Transport accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that changing how we travel is essential for creating a cleaner future. My ambition is to contribute to this transition by studying and analysing how cities can make public transport and cycling more accessible, affordable, and effective.
For my exchange, the journey to Brighton will begin with trains and buses instead of a boarding pass. It may take longer, but sustainability is about choosing the right route, not the fastest one.
