A year abroad can easily become a year of flying, buying and consuming temporarily. I want mine to look different. For me, travelling sustainably means thinking beyond the journey and paying attention to the habits I build, the resources I use and what remains after I leave.
Travelling from the UK to the United States will inevitably have an environmental impact. I therefore plan to fly to the US once and remain there for the placement year rather than making repeated journeys home. I chose accommodation around a 30-minute walk from Yale, helping me avoid dependence on taxis or private cars in a country where travel can often be car-centred.
I intend to walk to and from the university to reduce emissions and maintain my step count. Walking will allow me to experience New Haven street by street rather than only through a car window. I will explore buying a second-hand bicycle for longer journeys. During bad weather, I plan to use the Yale Shuttle, a shared transport service for university members, instead of taking taxis. I will use Google Maps to find safe walking and cycling routes and Yale’s shuttle information to plan journeys.
Active travel is something I already promote as a Climate Champion at the University of Bath. Through this role, I have encouraged students to consider how travel choices contribute to a more sustainable university community.
My summer internship with the University of Bath’s Institute for Sustainability and Climate Change has allowed me to explore climate communication and behaviour change. At Yale, I hope to continue this interest by attending events and engaging with its climate-focused community, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. I want to learn how climate attitudes and sustainable behaviour are understood in a different national context, share insights from my UK work and bring ideas back to Bath.
Responsible consumption will shape my year abroad too. Coming from a low-income household has taught me to use resources carefully and shown me that sustainable choices must be affordable and realistic. Rather than buying everything new for a temporary year, I plan to source furniture, kitchenware, clothing and other essentials through Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups and second-hand shops. Before leaving, I will sell, donate or pass these items to future interns so they remain useful rather than becoming waste.
I will continue my vegetarian diet, carry reusable bags and bottles, reduce food waste and make purchasing decisions.
These actions support UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 through walking, cycling and shared transport; Goal 12 through reuse, ethical consumption and waste reduction; and Goal 13 through limiting flights and reducing car dependence. By exchanging ideas between Bath and Yale, I also hope to support Goal 17 through learning and collaboration.
I want to leave New Haven with more than research experience and photographs. I hope to leave behind useful items for future interns, bring home habits and share ideas that make sustainable travel feel achievable rather than overwhelming.
