Travelling has changed the way I understand sustainability.
Before visiting Zimbabwe for an internship in the fintech sector, I mostly associated sustainability with environmental protection alone. However, living in a rapidly growing African economy showed me that sustainability is also deeply connected to infrastructure, mobility, access, and efficiency.
In Harare, I saw how transport limitations, fragmented urban services, and inefficient systems affect everyday life far more directly than most people in Europe realize. At the same time, I noticed how local communities often adopt naturally sustainable habits: shared mobility, local consumption, repair culture, and reduced waste are integrated into daily life out of necessity rather than trends. That experience changed the way I approach international travel and study opportunities.
For me, sustainable travel does not simply mean travelling less. International experiences are fundamental for cultural understanding, innovation, and global cooperation. Instead, sustainability means travelling with awareness and responsibility while trying to maximize long-term positive impact and minimize unnecessary consumption.
During my placements and travels, I have tried to adopt practical measures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
Whenever possible, I prioritize public transportation and walkable mobility systems rather than private transport. I also prefer longer stays abroad rather than frequent short trips, reducing repeated air travel while allowing deeper engagement with local communities and institutions. In addition, I actively support local businesses and services instead of relying exclusively on large international chains.
My academic interests are also strongly connected to sustainability. As an Economics and Finance student, I am particularly interested in how technology, infrastructure, and urban systems can improve quality of life while reducing inefficiencies and environmental costs. This interest led me to develop projects focused on urban mobility, data systems, and smarter city organization.
I believe the LSE General Course would represent an extraordinary opportunity to deepen this perspective in one of the world’s most international academic environments. London itself is a fascinating example of how public transportation, urban planning, and multicultural integration can contribute to more sustainable cities, while still presenting important challenges to solve.
Ultimately, I see sustainable travel not as a limitation, but as a responsibility: the responsibility to learn from different systems, contribute positively to the places we visit, and bring back ideas capable of improving our own communities.
