Studying in Japan is a really exciting opportunity for me, but I’m aware that international travel comes with an environmental cost. With that in mind, I want to approach my placement as responsibly and sustainably as I can. To me, sustainability isn’t about one grand gesture. It’s about the small, everyday choices we make, and about showing respect for the country and community I’ll be living in.
Getting to Japan means taking a long flight, which I can’t really avoid, so I want to cut down on unnecessary travel wherever else I can. Once I’m there, I’ll rely on Japan’s public transport system as much as possible, including trains, buses, and walking when it makes sense. Japan’s network is famously efficient, and using it will mean I don’t have to depend on taxis or private cars. This ties in with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and Goal 13 (climate action).
I also want to be more mindful about waste during my placement. I plan to carry a reusable water bottle, take reusable bags when I’m shopping, steer clear of single-use plastics where I can, and stick closely to Japan’s recycling rules. Japan has quite detailed systems for separating waste, and I want to take the time to learn them properly rather than seeing them as a hassle. I’ll also try to cut down on food waste by only buying what I’ll actually eat and paying attention to portion sizes.
Sustainability isn’t only environmental, though. It’s also about respecting people and culture. While I’m in Japan, I want to support local businesses, be considerate in public spaces, and learn from the way Japanese communities value cleanliness, order, and thinking about others. Being a responsible visitor, to me, means more than just reducing my environmental footprint; it means contributing something positive to the community around me.
I’m hoping this placement will push me to grow both academically and personally, but I also want it to make me more conscious of what it means to be a global citizen. By using public transport, cutting down on waste, respecting local customs, and learning from how Japan approaches sustainability, I want this experience to be meaningful, responsible, and genuinely thoughtful in its impact.
