Travel is not merely about moving between locations, it’s about transformation, awareness, and responsibility. Every step we take impacts the earth, prompting us to make each decision carefully. As I prepare for my placement in Italy, a nation facing significant environmental challenges, sustainability is deeply woven into my personal values and practical plans.
I deeply care about the future, not only my own but that of future generations. The choices I make today are driven by my desire to leave behind a cleaner, healthier world for my children and their peers. We live in an extraordinary era, equipped with the means and technology to enact positive change genuinely. Understanding this potential has motivated me to take dedicated modules on sustainability at the University of Manchester, enriching my academic knowledge with actionable insights.
Taking this passion further, I founded a Sustainability Society at my home university. Through this society, we’ve implemented practical, hands-on initiatives such as campus clean-ups, sustainable living workshops, and advocacy campaigns. I aim to bring this same proactive spirit and commitment to Bocconi University, creating a broader impact by inspiring fellow students to join this essential movement.
Recognising travel’s environmental impact, particularly air travel’s carbon emissions, I booked a direct flight to reduce my carbon footprint significantly. Additionally, I offset these emissions through “Ecologi,” directly supporting global reforestation projects (SDG 13 – Climate Action). This decision represents how travel, when done responsibly, can become a force for positive global change.
Italy’s environmental issues, such as coastal erosion and extreme weather affecting agriculture, further emphasise why sustainability must be central to my placement. To minimise my daily environmental impact, I will fully embrace local living by relying on public transportation, cycling, and walking, authentically experiencing Italy’s culture while reducing emissions. I’ve specifically chosen accommodations certified by Ecolabel EU to ensure responsible energy consumption and waste management practices (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production).
Every day decisions about food also reflect my sustainability ethos. I’ll use “HappyCow” to support local vegetarian and vegan eateries, aligning my eating habits with both personal and global health objectives (SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being). To tackle food waste, I’ll regularly use “Too Good To Go,” demonstrating practical stewardship of resources.
Beyond individual actions, my commitment involves active participation in local sustainability efforts. Volunteering with “CleanUp Italia,” I’ll engage directly in environmental restoration projects, documenting my experiences on a blog to inspire and educate my peers.
I’ll actively use and promote practical sustainability resources like “Ecosia,” a tree-planting search engine, and apps like “BlaBlaCar” for sustainable shared transport. I aim to spark conversations, foster community action, and create lasting change.
Ultimately, sustainability for me is about practical, measurable actions rooted deeply in personal values. My time in Italy will showcase these commitments clearly, inspiring others and contributing significantly to lasting, impactful change.
