Travel has always felt like a contradiction to me. On one hand, it opens doors — to new people, ideas, ways of living. On the other, it comes with a footprint that is impossible to ignore. Planes burn fuel to carry us across the world for experiences that are often framed as “life-changing,” yet those same experiences contribute to the climate crisis that will define our generation’s future. That tension is exactly why I want my study abroad at the University of Exeter to be intentional, not incidental.
For me, sustainable travel isn’t about avoiding going places altogether — it’s about making more intentional choices and reducing impact where I can. I see this placement as a chance to be more mindful of issues like climate change, responsible consumption, and how travel and everyday habits affect the wider world.
Before I even leave, I am planning my travel in a way that reduces unnecessary emissions. Instead of short-haul connecting flights within Europe, I intend to use rail transport wherever possible once I arrive in the UK, prioritising train networks over domestic flights. I also aim to stay in one location for longer periods rather than frequent weekend travel, shifting the focus from “seeing everything” to “experiencing something deeply.”
On a daily level, I plan to embed sustainable habits into my routine. This includes using public transport, walking or cycling instead of rideshares, and reducing reliance on single-use products by carrying reusable items such as bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. Small choices matter when they are repeated over months — not as performative actions, but as default behaviour.
Food is another area where I want to be mindful. I intend to reduce meat consumption during my time abroad, both to lower my carbon footprint and to better understand how local, seasonal eating patterns work in the UK context. I am also interested in supporting local businesses rather than global chains, as sustainability is not only environmental but also social and economic.
Beyond individual actions, I want my approach to travel to reflect a shift in mindset. Instead of treating international study as consumption — collecting destinations, photos, and experiences — I want to treat it as participation. That means engaging with the Exeter community, learning from local sustainability initiatives, and understanding how institutions and students contribute to environmental responsibility at scale.
I also recognise that sustainability includes awareness, not perfection. I will be travelling internationally, and that comes with impact. My responsibility is to reduce what I can, offset where appropriate, and stay informed about the consequences of my choices rather than ignoring them.
Ultimately, I want my time abroad to reflect a different kind of travel experience — one that is not defined by how far I go, but by how thoughtfully I move through the world once I get there.
