As an exchange student from the University of Hertfordshire currently studying at RMIT University in Melbourne, my journey has been more than just about lectures and landmarks—it’s been a conscious effort to travel with purpose, aligning my actions with sustainability and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Before I even boarded my flight, I made a personal pledge: to make this experience as eco-conscious as possible. This meant rethinking how I travelled, lived, and engaged with my new environment. I began with small but meaningful steps—packing light to reduce my carbon footprint, bringing a reusable water bottle, bamboo cutlery, and switching to solid toiletries to avoid single-use plastics. I also opted for a digital travel journal to avoid unnecessary paper waste.
Living in Melbourne has offered both opportunities and challenges when it comes to sustainable living. Public transport became my best friend—I’ve embraced the tram system over taxis or ride-shares, not just to reduce emissions but to better immerse myself in the rhythm of the city. I’ve also made it a point to shop locally at weekend markets, supporting small businesses and reducing the environmental impact of large-scale retail supply chains. In fact, I’ve found joy in discovering op shops (thrift stores) for clothing, turning sustainability into a treasure hunt.
Back home, I helped promote my family’s small toy shop online, and that experience helped me understand the environmental cost of packaging and shipping. So here, I’ve chosen to go paperless in all my studies, using apps and cloud storage to submit assignments, take notes, and collaborate with peers. It’s a simple shift, but one I believe adds up when adopted collectively.
I’ve also been volunteering with local sustainability initiatives in Victoria, including a Red Cross eco-awareness drive. This gave me the chance to meet like-minded individuals and deepen my understanding of how sustainability is lived on the ground in Australia—from community gardens to zero-waste cafes.
My time abroad has taught me that sustainable travel isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. It’s more than about avoiding plastic straws or offsetting a flight. It’s about a mindset—a deep respect for the planet, people, and cultures I engage with. This experience has inspired me to carry these practices far beyond my time in Australia and into whatever part of the world I find myself next.
Sustainability, to me, is not just a checkbox—it’s a mindset. It’s about acknowledging that travel can be both transformative and responsible. Through conscious choices and continuous learning, I aim to ensure that my global footprint is not a burden, but a bridge—to a cleaner, greener, and more connected world.
After all, travel should widen our horizons—not our footprint
