Dear future exchange student,
By the time you read this, I’ll be back in Singapore, attempting to put into words what exchange has meant to me. But before I return, I want to leave you with something I wish I had before I embarked on this life-changing adventure: a guide not just to travel, but to travel well and sustainably.
Like you, I arrived in England filled with anticipation. But with it came the weight of knowing that my journey was bought at the cost of the environment. My 10,900km flight left a trail of emissions. I calculated it using the MyClimate CO2 Flight Calculator. And the number perturbed me. So I decided early that I wouldn’t allow that to be the last of my exchange story.
The small things add up. I started by packing light for exchange – just 1 bag – but also ensured that I brought what I could, so I wouldn’t need to buy what I would. From collapsible cups and utensils to totes for groceries, they all make a slow but sure difference. In Exeter, I commit to travelling thoughtfully by foot or bus instead of defaulting to convenience. In fact, I also bought a second-hand bike from a student forum before even arriving. I use apps like Too Good To Go to rescue surplus food from waste and Refill to avoid single-use bottles and containers. These habits aren’t always glamorous, but are grounded in purpose. The best part? It comes at little cost to convenience. If only people knew, huh?
England has taken steps to make some things easier – plant-based meals are everywhere, and apps like Komoot help you get around efficiently, even without carbon-heavy car travel. The Ecosia search engine is at your fingertips too, enabling you to plant trees while searching. Initially, I relied on these tools to facilitate sustainable choices. But I eventually realised the real change wasn’t in the tool use. It was in the way I saw myself – no longer as a tourist, but a steward of the land.
You see, sustainability isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset. And this allowed me to begin asking small but important daily questions: Do I need this purchase? Can I support local businesses instead? Where was this food grown? I learned to be creative in the ways I cared for the planet, aligning my decisions with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
And that’s why I am writing to you. One day, when you embark on your exchange adventure, I hope you, too, will realise that every decision carries weight and shapes not only your time abroad, but the world you’re leaving behind. And if, at any point, you falter – buy something unnecessary or book a ride-share when you’re late – please remember that sustainability isn’t about perfection. It’s conviction. It’s hope. It’s trying again.
With you and our future in mind,
Julian
