I am looking forward to my exchange semester at Erasmus University Rotterdam next year, the most sustainable option would realistically be to not go on exchange; however being sustainable is about minimising our negative impact on the environment whilst still making the most of our opportunities. I am currently working as an intern at Amazon, and my role is making small operational improvements that compound at a large scale – sustainability follows the same logic.
Fortunately I can travel to Rotterdam from my home entirely by train, I am just a 90 minute train from London and from there I can get a several hour train to Rotterdam. Travelling by rail produces ~90% less emissions (Eurostar, 2024) and is frankly more enjoyable as I can enjoy the journey and observe the Belgian fields en route rather than staring at a headrest for an entire flight – also not having to wait in airport customs is always a win. UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 refers to climate action and using more sustainable modes of transport is a small but meaningful contribution (United Nations, 2015).
Rotterdam is known for its transport infrastructure, the public transport is accessible and affordable whilst the cycle infrastructure is amazing. I am an active person and will be sure to cycle as much as possible – getting to explore the city first hand. I will also be sure to make the most of public transport, Rotterdam is a large city with lots of investment into its transport which makes it easy to travel sustainably. Even when initially moving in, I intend to coordinate with fellow students from my university (University of Bath) heading to Rotterdam – so we can share transport to our accommodation – minimising costs and emissions. SDG 11 refers to sustainable cities and communities, and there is clear investment into sustainable travel infrastructure, and I intend to utilise these means as much as possible (United Nations, 2015).
SDG 12 refers to responsible consumption, and this is incredibly feasible (United Nations, 2015). I want to embrace the culture of Rotterdam by shopping at local markets and doing as many activities as possible; however I should remain thoughtful about my consumption, I shouldn’t consume purely for the novelty of being in a new area. I intend to utilise the second-hand market during my stay: I am looking to purchase a bike for travel as well as a monitor for productivity and leisure. I am staying in Rotterdam for only a few months so purchasing brand new items is wasteful and expensive therefore I will make the most of the second-hand market.
To conclude, a little bit of extra effort will go a long way when it comes to sustainability. I intend to make the most of the great opportunity I have by going on exchange, whilst still being mindful of the impact I have.
References –
Eurostar (2024) Tread Lightly. https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/about-eurostar/community-environment/tread-lightly (Accessed 07/05/26).
United Nations (2015) Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals (Accessed 07/05/26).
