When I found out I’d be going to City, University of London on exchange, I was buzzing. A new city, new people, new routines—it felt like an exciting chapter. But while planning what to pack and imagining weekend walks along the Thames, I started thinking about the bigger picture. Travel can be incredible—but it’s not always easy on the planet. I didn’t want to leave my values behind just because I was crossing borders.
Last summer, I interned at a consulting firm working on sustainability, mostly around climate finance strategies for low-lying countries. These are places already dealing with the harshest effects of climate change. Our work focused on helping them access the funding they need to adapt—through local resources, international grants, and blended finance models. I learned that sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all. It has to be flexible, fair, and rooted in real-world needs.
That experience stuck with me. It made me think more carefully about how I move through the world—even when I’m just figuring out what to bring on exchange.
To make my exchange as sustainable as possible, I’ve taken several steps:
• I booked direct flights to reduce emissions and offset my carbon footprint through a verified offset program.
• In London, I’ll rely on walking, cycling, and public transport—I’m even kind of excited to mastering the Tube.
• I’ll be living in shared accommodation, cooking most of my meals, and opting for plant-based options when available.
• I’ve packed reusables—water bottle, cutlery, tote bag—and I’m sticking to secondhand shopping and borrowing instead of buying new.
• I’m also setting a personal goal to track my carbon footprint during my stay—not perfectly, but as a way to stay accountable and improve.
Beyond personal habits, I’m keen to actually get involved. I hope to join a student sustainability group and maybe volunteer with local climate projects. London’s a global city—there’s so much to learn from the way people approach sustainability there, and I want to bring those lessons home with me.
This all ties into the bigger goals—like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals around climate action, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption. But honestly, it also just feels like the right thing to do. I don’t think you need to be perfect, but you do need to care.
To me, the Sustainability Abroad Scholarship is about showing that students can travel and still make thoughtful, responsible choices. It’s about learning new things while staying true to what matters. I’m not going to change the world in one semester—but I’m committed to learning, adapting, and doing my best to make this experience as sustainable—and meaningful—as possible.
