15/04/2024,
Dear Diary,
I got into my top choice for study abroad—The University of Maryland! I’m so excited and can’t wait to experience everything firsthand.
At the same time, I’m a bit nervous about how my lifestyle might change. Lately, I’ve been trying to live more sustainably and I really hope I can keep up these habits, even across the Atlantic.
Love, Frances x
02/09/2024
Dear Diary,
I’ve been in the States for a couple of weeks now, and honestly, life feels completely different. Everything over here seems to come wrapped in plastic—straws, cutlery, packaging. It feels like going back in time.
I read that 91% of U.S. households own a car, and after dealing with public transport here, I get it. (Car Ownership Statistics 2025 – Forbes Advisor) I’m lucky to be on the East Coast where things are at least somewhat connected, but still—I’ll never complain about waiting for the 147 in Manchester again.
On the bright side, I’ve been walking everywhere. Campus is huge, so I’ve been hitting my step goal every day (small wins—whoop whoop!).
Love, Frances x
17/11/2024
Dear Diary,
It’s been a while! Things have been busy—in the best way—thanks to a new club I’ve joined: the Terrapin Trail Club, or TTC as we call it. (Home | Terrapin Trail Club) Just got back from a meeting—Brianna, our sustainability officer, told us about a new highway plan in West Virginia and what we could do to stop it.
I’m feeling more positive about my environmental impact since joining TTC. I explored the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and figured out which ones to focus on. TTC aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) by following Leave No Trace principles, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by encouraging local conservation.
A few weeks ago, the club partnered with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance for a litter pick at Lake Artemesia. (Sustainable Ocean Alliance | Home) We filled three bags with trash and had a blast doing it. It was a great reminder that small actions, when done together, can make a real difference.
Love, Frances x
13/05/2025
Dear Diary,
I can’t believe it—I’m in my last week of study abroad! We had our final TTC meeting yesterday, and I’m sad to be saying goodbye to the club. So many people told me that studying abroad would surprise me in unexpected ways, and TTC was definitely one of those surprises.
When I first got here, I felt pretty discouraged. The shift in lifestyle was tough, and I missed the habits I had back in Manchester. I realized that what worked at home didn’t always fit here—but that’s okay. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do, I started looking at what I could.
My year in America has shown me that sustainability is about being adaptable to your environment. My version of sustainability in Maryland is different from what it was in Manchester, but it’s still meaningful.
Love, Frances x
