I’m Maribel (Mabel) Muir, a final-year undergraduate student studying Quantity Surveying in Built Environment. I will be undertaking a summer volunteering placement in Morocco through Travelteer’s High Atlas Outreach project on 28 June 2026. This opportunity is made possible through Northumbria University’s International Short Programme by the International Mobility Team, which promotes global mobility and encourages students to engage with diverse environments. During my placement, I will contribute to agricultural or infrastructure-based projects within Morocco’s rural communities in the High Atlas Mountains.
For me, international travel isn’t only about experiencing a new culture, but also understanding the environmental and social impact of my presence. Travelling to Morocco will encourage me to reflect on how I can minimise my environmental footprints while ensuring that I contribute positively to communities I engage with. I’m aware that travel contributes to carbon emissions, and I am committed to making conscious choices such as travelling lightly, reducing waste, and using resources responsibly throughout my placement.
As I’m already committed to sustainable practices in my daily life, and I will continue these habits abroad. I make conscious consumption choices and engage with initiatives that promote reducing waste and responsible living, such as www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment. These practices helps me minimise my impact while supporting a sustainable approach to travel. During my time in Morocco, I also aim to conserve water, energy and support local businesses, ensuring that the economic benefits of my stay remain within the community.
In addition, I previously did a study abroad programme at Linköping University in Sweden, where I studied their Alternative Energy course. This experience introduced me to key concepts surrounding renewable energy, resource efficiency, and sustainable development, and significantly improved my understanding of global environmental challenges. Building on this foundation, my upcoming placement in Morocco gives me an opportunity to apply these principles in a practical, community-focused context.
This placement aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Through the infrastructure project, I hope to gain insight into sustainable building methods and resource-efficient practices that can support long-term community development. Similarly, contributing to the agriculture project will allow me to experience how local farming practices adapt to environmental challenges, promoting resilience and sustainability in rural settings.
As this will be my first time visiting Morocco, I’m motivated to learn from the communities I work with. I view sustainability not only as environmental responsibility but also as cultural respect and meaningful exchange. This experience will allow me to broaden my perspective and better understand how sustainability is approached in different global contexts.
Ultimately, as I prepare to graduate and begin my professional career soon, this experience will allow me to apply sustainable principles from my personal life and my degree in a real-world, global setting. The Butex Scholarship would support me in making the most of this opportunity and strengthen my commitment to promoting sustainable, responsible practices within the built environment sector.
