Nowadays almost every person knows how harmful airplane rides can be to the environment. Especially after Taylor Swift’s 2022 tour was analyzed and her estimated carbon footprint was released. For me, that revelation was incredibly shocking and, to be honest, a bit infuriating. Luckily, I don’t own a private jet, so I can’t be tempted into adopting such a lifestyle.
While preparing for my trip abroad, this issue was constantly on my mind. Being from Chile means that nearly any trip I take will be long and, therefore, carbon intensive. For that reason, once we visit some region, we make the most of it and try to experience it fully. Knowing how unlikely it is that we’ll return soon. In my case, I organized many trips across Europe before my classes started and also during Easter break. To make this possible in a responsible way, I always prioritized trains and buses over planes.
Living abroad allows you to experience things from different perspectives. Doing this, you encounter multiple cultural shocks. I will always remember when I first came to the U.K. My parents had the opportunity to work in Cambridge in 2009 when I was 7 years old, which meant that our whole family was instantly relocated for the next 6 months. For me, it was one of the first times I had the opportunity to see recycling in progress in such a widespread manner. Also, conversations about composting were frequent and completely new to me. Therefore, I learnt a lot about sustainable practices during my stay, it was really interesting for me. Once I came back, I had to apply all these new findings in my day to day life and tried to convince others to join in on these practices.
Living abroad is an endless supply of learning experiences. You discover what practices you can bring, and you gain a new appreciation for what’s already being done right. This current experience has been no exceptionI’m deeply committed to applying what I’ve learnt from my travels in my life and community in Chile. I truly believe this is an experience everybody would benefit from and I’m incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to do it.
