When people ask what it’s like growing up in the Netherlands, my first answer is usually, “You cycle everywhere.” Rain or sun, a bicycle is often the fastest way to get from A to B. I never thought much about it until I realised that what felt normal to me was actually a sustainable choice. It taught me an important lesson: the most meaningful environmental actions are often the ones that become habits.
That mindset is coming with me to the University of Leeds.
As an Econometrics student, I spend my time analysing data, identifying patterns and understanding how decisions shape outcomes. Climate change is, in many ways, the world’s biggest optimisation problem. Every individual choice may seem insignificant, but millions of small decisions create measurable change. That is why I believe sustainability should not stop at home. It should travel with us.
Being accepted into my dream minor with various Entrepreneurship and Management courses is an opportunity I have worked hard to earn. I hope to learn how entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses that create value not only for shareholders but also for society and the environment. Innovation and sustainability should not compete. They should strengthen each other.
My journey to Leeds will begin on the rails rather than in the air, reflecting my commitment to making conscious choices from the very start of my international experience. Rather than ignoring that reality, I want to make the rest of my journey as sustainable as possible. In Leeds, I plan to walk, cycle and use public transport whenever I can. I’ll continue carrying a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, minimise unnecessary purchases and support local businesses instead of relying on large international chains. These are simple choices, but together they contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Climate Action.
More importantly, I want to bring home more than academic credits. I want to discover how another country approaches sustainable business, transport and innovation. The best part of studying abroad is not only seeing a different place but learning a different way of thinking.
The title of this essay mentions a Dutch bicycle and a British train. To me, they represent more than transport. They symbolise a journey of learning, adaptation and responsibility. One has shaped who I am, while the other will help shape who I become.
If my time in Leeds teaches me anything, I hope it is that sustainability is not defined by one perfect decision. It is built through thousands of ordinary ones. And if I can return home with new ideas and a stronger commitment to making responsible choices, then my exchange will have achieved something far greater than an international education. It will have become an investment in a more sustainable future.
