Dear People from the BUTEX Selection Committee,
Let me introduce myself first. My name is Reinout Willems, 21 years old, and currently finishing my second year of Biomedical Sciences at Maastricht University, Netherlands. For the upcoming year, I am going to study my minor abroad at Exeter University, England, taking place from September 22nd, 2025, to January 10th, 2026, during the first semester.
Via this letter, I would like to apply for the BUTEX grant for this study abroad. During my time at Maastricht. I always travelled by train when going home to my parents, emitting 2 to 4 times less when taking a ride by car (1). Within Maastricht, I always travel by bicycle, or when I do not have a bicycle, on foot or by bus, which is powered by electric energy (2).
Furthermore, I will travel by electric car from my home when traveling to Exeter. During my time in Exeter, I will opt for the bike instead of the bus or car, even though traveling electrically by bus is becoming more feasible in England. Nevertheless, traveling by bike remains a better option for green travel (3)(4). These decisions support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action) (5).
When it comes to sustainability in daily choices, I rarely eat meat, lowering my footprint, and mostly eat unprocessed products, lowering my carbon footprint. Additionally, I avoid wearing clothes from countries known for their bad working conditions. These two choices both respect UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Another sustainable development goal I work on, outside of travelling, is UN SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (5). When it comes to lifestyle choices, I work out three times a week and will continue to do that in Exeter, and I am willing to help others who want to achieve better fitness. Also, I do not drink any form of alcohol, and I do not smoke, and I have a healthy, balanced diet that fits my needs for energy. If others ask for help in altering their choices for food and drink consumption, I will be there for them.
The last sustainable development goal, also disregarding traveling, that I will take into account, is UN SDG 7: Ensure Access to affordable, dependable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. At my home in Maastricht, I do not make use of the heating at all, and live in an apartment with energy label A. This is also something I will take into consideration when finding accommodation in Exeter.
Overall, my aim during the exchange program is to take all the SDGs, especially regarding sustainable travel, but also other development goals, into consideration. Therefore, the BUTEX scholarship is not only supporting my placement, but also supporting my goal to achieve a sustainable lifestyle in Exeter.
Thank you for taking my application into consideration!
Best Regards,
Reinout Willems
(1).https://duurzaamboeken.nl/vervoer/trein/#:~:text=Gemiddeld%20genomen%20levert%20een%20treinreis%20voor%202%20personen,reden%20om%20op%20duurzame%20treinvakantie%20te%20gaan%20dus.
(2). https://over.arriva.nl/waar-we-voor-gaan/klimaatneutraliteit/
(3). https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint
(4). https://electricdrives.tv/electric-bus-adoption-in-the-uk-how-far-are-we/
(5). https://sdgs.un.org/goals
