I am a law student from China. I spent half a year studying in Germany in 2025, and in 2026 I will travel further to the University of Aberdeen to continue my studies. During my time in Germany, I used my holidays to visit Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Looking back now, each country left a unique impression on me.
I happened to be in the Netherlands on King’s Day. Yet what struck me most was not the festive revelry, but the pervasive smell of cannabis in the streets, the occasional uncivilised behaviour, and the somewhat dirty thoroughfares—perhaps this is the raw, unpolished side of Amsterdam.
In France, the Eiffel Tower was truly magnificent, but the Seine ran murky yellow and the wind carried dust, leaving me, amid my admiration, with a tinge of regret.
Only Switzerland utterly captivated me. The skies over Grindelwald and Zurich were dreamily blue; white swans stretched lazily on the glittering lake, as if time itself had slowed in the shimmering light.
The small German city of Halle, where I studied, taught me a different way of life. My housemates patiently instructed me on how to sort waste; in the supermarkets, every plastic bottle bore a deposit of €0.25, and the recycling system was impeccably organised. Back in China, we tend to toss drink bottles straight into the bin, but in Germany, discarded plastic bottles are given a new lease of life. This contrast deeply moved me.
For me, travel is far more than sightseeing — it is a dialogue with the world and a responsibility I bear as a global citizen. I have come to understand that every flight, every meal, every plastic wrapper carries an environmental cost. Therefore, as I prepare for my upcoming exchange at Aberdeen, I have resolved to take concrete actions:
（1）Waste separation and recycling – I will continue to sort my waste meticulously and share best practices with flatmates, just as I learned in Halle.
（2）Reducing single-use plastics – I will carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bag, and avoid packaged goods whenever possible.
（3）Low-carbon transport – I will prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport over taxis or private cars.
（4）Advocacy and education – I plan to initiate a small “green living” group among international students, organising clean-up events and awareness sessions on campus.
I firmly believe that sustainability is not a burden but an opportunity — to learn, to adapt, and to inspire others. Each small choice we make echoes far beyond ourselves. As I set off for Aberdeen, I hope my journey will not only broaden my own horizons, but also plant seeds of environmental consciousness among those around me. After all, a cleaner, fairer world is not built by grand gestures alone, but by the collective whispers of mindful everyday actions.
