Every journey creates memories. It also creates an environmental footprint. While I cannot make my journey impact-free, I can choose how responsibly I travel through the world. When I leave Stockholm for my year abroad at the University of Aberdeen, I will carry not only the excitement of discovering a new country, but also a responsibility to make conscious choices.
Sustainable travel begins before arriving at my destination. Travelling from Sweden to Scotland requires flying, and I recognise that air travel has a significant environmental impact. However, sustainability is about reducing unnecessary impact where alternatives exist. Instead of taking an additional domestic flight, I have chosen to fly only to Edinburgh and continue to Aberdeen by train. This reduces emissions while allowing me to experience more of Scotland.
The way I move through a city is just as important as how I arrive there. In Stockholm, I almost always walk, not as a sacrifice, but because I genuinely enjoy it. Walking allows me to experience places differently: streets become discoveries rather than routes between destinations. As Aberdeen is a compact city, I hope to continue exploring it in the same way. For longer journeys, I will prioritise public transport and use Google Maps (https://maps.google.com) and Trainline (https://www.thetrainline.com) to plan efficient travel.
My understanding of sustainability extends beyond transportation. Cooking is one of my greatest passions, and it has naturally shaped my eating habits. Preparing meals myself has made a predominantly vegetarian diet feel enjoyable rather than restrictive. It has taught me to appreciate ingredients and understand that sustainable living often begins with everyday routines.
I also choose quality over quantity. I avoid fast fashion and invest in fewer, high-quality pieces designed to last. Some of my favourite clothes originally belonged to my mother and grandmother, and I continue to use them today. They represent a relationship with consumption based on valuing what already exists. Similarly, I always purchase my university course literature second-hand.
These choices connect closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals). Walking, public transport and responsible mobility support SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. My approach to clothing and course materials aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Reducing transport emissions and maintaining a predominantly vegetarian diet contribute to SDG 13: Climate Action.
I believe addressing climate change requires responsibility at every level. While governments and industries have an essential role in creating large-scale change, individual choices should not be viewed as insignificant. Every conscious decision contributes to a wider shift.
Studying abroad will always involve an environmental cost, but responsible travel is about awareness, not perfection. During my year in Aberdeen, I hope to reduce my own impact and inspire others to see sustainability as something achievable through small, consistent choices. A cleaner future is created when individuals, communities and institutions all choose to move in a more sustainable direction.
