Long before I pack my suitcase, my exchange has already begun.
Most people think a journey starts when the train leaves the station or the plane lifts off the runway. I disagree. A journey begins with the decisions we make before we ever travel. For me, that first decision was choosing the train from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom. It may take longer, but I believe that if I want to experience another country, I should also respect the environment that connects us.
Sustainability has never been a slogan in my family; it has been dinner-table conversation. My mother, a teacher and researcher, taught me that education changes people more effectively than rules ever could. My father works in sustainability at Wavin, where I learned that real environmental progress is measured by evidence—not by attractive marketing campaigns. Growing up, I also discovered how common greenwashing can be. That lesson shaped the way I see the world: genuine sustainability requires action, transparency and accountability.
Studying abroad gives me the opportunity to put those values into practice. My exchange at the University of Nottingham is about more than studying business; it is about understanding how future business leaders can create organisations that generate both economic and environmental value. As someone who hopes to build a career in consulting, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity, I want sustainability to become a business strategy rather than a marketing exercise.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide the roadmap for that vision. SDG 4 (Quality Education) reminds me that knowledge is the foundation for lasting change. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) encourages me to explore Nottingham responsibly by walking, cycling and using public transport whenever possible. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) inspires me to buy second-hand essentials, minimise waste and support local businesses. Above all, SDG 13 (Climate Action) motivates every travel decision I make, beginning with choosing rail instead of flying.
Small actions matter because they inspire larger ones. During my exchange I will carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, plan meals to reduce food waste, donate any items I cannot take home, and encourage friends to make sustainable choices alongside me. Sustainability grows fastest when it becomes contagious.
To guide my decisions, I will continue using resources such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals website, Trainline, NS International, Too Good To Go, and the Refill app to reduce my environmental footprint throughout my stay.
When I return home, I do not want to bring back only photographs or academic credits. I want to return with new ideas, better habits and experiences that inspire others to travel more consciously. If even one fellow student chooses the train instead of a flight because of my story, then my journey will have travelled further than I ever did.
