Once you have spent a year living in a student co-op, the practices and values never leave you. I have always heard the saying “Think globally, act locally”, but I never thought I would be leaving such a positive impact during a year abroad. I lived in French House Co-operative, one of the many student co-operatives in Austin, Texas. Established in 1971, this house is as old as my parents. The house still thrives, its practices evolving with the times, but its values of sustainability, community, and inclusivity have remained central.
Before my year abroad, I thought I would be known as the British exchange student, nothing more. But being a part of this community allowed me to make a difference in the short time I was living in Austin.
I felt like I was part of a hive. In the busy and tumultuous outside world, we all felt connected and safe in our co-op, sharing resources, cooking for each other, and caring for our home. Each of us had a role, yet unlike bees, we did not have a queen, and everyone was equally important. Our home was student-run. We elected each other to manage the kitchen and the garden. We had a treasurer and even a historian to gather the memories collected each semester. We were tied together by the lease we signed and four hours of labour a week, which we considered not just another obligation but a way to show how much we cared for our house.
Our house was a cultivation of collaboration. Our walls were painted with murals designed by our most artistic house member. We also shared our ideas at weekly meetings. The diversity of each housemate and their unique ideas built a more sustainable house. One housemate chimed in, “We should start composting”, and another student said, “We should host a bake sale to raise money to create a vegetable garden.” Our meals became filled with tomatoes we grew. Our garden became one of the most beautiful hubs for birds and butterflies, flourishing in the spring after hours and hours each member poured into its creation. “I am going to foster a cat from a local shelter. If someone wants to come with me?” And Fred, our foster cat, became the newest member.
I had never lived anywhere where I knew the names of my neighbours or asked to borrow small things like ladders. But relying on my community was the backbone of my small community in West Campus, Austin.
The definition of sustainable travel became, for me, about making a difference in the place you call home. I now take with me the habits I gained in Austin and a newfound drive to create intentional, sustainable environments around me, looking at how I can work with my community.
References: https://www.nasco.coop/development/case-for-co-ops
https://www.austinpetsalive.org/
