Growing up in Costa Rica, I was always captivated by the ancient mythology of one of the most prominent indigenous populations, the Bribri people. By the hands of Sibö, the supreme deity, nature was bred from the same batch of clay. From the rock that endures the current and the bird who grazes the backlit clouds to the great steps that stumble the moist land, we are siblings of the same substance, not one more than another, but everyone as much as all. We, as humans, stand in a curious position, where the water lies beneath us and the trees look unreachable.
As time flew by, we lost the state of permanence of our siblings that were out of sight, creating a new consciousness ruled by none other than ourselves, self-determined kings of the batch.
We consumed all, the land that bred us on Sibö’s watch, now aching by the hands of its own children. I began to see that we failed to mitigate the damage our desires inflicted on everything else.
Thankfully, the birds still chirp in the morning, and the rain still damps the hanging line of clothes in the backyard. Time is ticking, but the clock hasn’t rung.
Each time my own feet touch the surface, no matter the place, the flag, or the day, my body seems to be eager to unveil the secrets of the mind that make us act how we tend to behave. Now, as I live the opportunity to study under a whole new culture, my blood reminds me how lucky we are to exist in a time where connection across these boundaries is so easy.
Passively observing, I came to the realization that with every literal and figurative journey we partake, the responsibility of caring shall bear diligent throughout all days. Not only for people but for the substance of life itself. The sea that brings us the same water we drink and use to water the food that allows us to live. The soil that nourishes the seeds that grow into trees later used to make the table at which I ate. I finally understood that having too much in our hands isn’t necessary to get as much in our heads. I hope to learn profoundly from the UK’s advanced frameworks for sustainable cities. Practically, I will utilize platforms like Citymapper to navigate low-impact transit, and apps like Olio or Too Good To Go to actively mitigate overconsumption. Leaning on these digital tools alongside the Refill app and the National Rail webpage, I will ensure my international placement remains as sustainable as possible.
Above all, as I navigate the future, hoping to learn everything I can from my experience studying abroad, my wish is that, as I take in from your country, you can take from me the timeless wisdom of the Bribri people, never forgetting that we, living and non-living, were all made from the same clay.
