Dear Winnie in December 2025,
As you receive this letter, you’re probably walking down a quiet street somewhere in the UK—maybe with a tote bag on your shoulder and a reusable cup in hand. While enjoying your precious journey, I hope you still remember the intention you had six months ago: to explore the world without costing it the Earth.
Studying abroad, while enriching, often comes with an environmental cost—plastic waste from convenience products, pressure on local resources, and carbon emissions from long-distance travel. That’s why you committed to being more than just a visitor. You researched before leaving Taiwan, packed your own utensils, bottles, and reusable straws (because drinks are your weakness!), and even downloaded Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste while supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. To you, sustainable travel means walking lightly, consuming mindfully, and connecting deeply—with people, places, and the planet.
But personal choices are just the beginning. What if sustainable travel could be social, creative, and contagious—something that more people can take seriously? That’s why you dreamed up the idea of a “Green Arrival Kit” for exchange students: a website with eco-friendly travel tips, useful local apps, and even a borrowing platform for reusable utensils. Maybe you also started a group chat where students share ideas and experiences about low-impact living. These tools may seem simple, but they make sustainability more visible, collaborative, and lasting. They align not only with SDG 12 and 13, but also SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
After all, travel and sustainability don’t have to be opposites. When approached with care, they can move hand in hand—toward a future that’s not just memorable, but truly meaningful.
So wherever you are now—whether sipping tea by a window or planning your next trip—I hope you’re still proud of the quiet choices you made, and continue to travel not just far, but wisely and kindly.
With love,
Your past self
