Dear Diary,
Words cannot describe how excited I am to embark on my year abroad placement in Spain.
From a young age, the topic of sustainability has always been trending. I remember when supermarkets started charging for plastic bags. At first, it felt like an inconvenience. But now, I understand its sustainable purpose and how it has helped my pockets over time!
I learned that Spain ranks 14th out of 193 UN member states in the Sustainable Development Report, reflecting the country’s impressive commitment to sustainability.
Every day, I count down the days to when I go to Spain. I have not booked my flight yet, but there are a few things I want to consider when I do so. There is no doubt that air travel significantly contributes to increased CO2 emissions. That is why I pledge to …
– Try and find a direct flight to reduce emissions.
– Try to pack lightly- Yes, diary, that means not trying to bring my whole life in my suitcase.
– Limit flying back and forth- This may be hard, you might get homesick, but try to spend holidays in Spain; embrace the unique cultural festivities
Spain itself is a hub for sustainable gastronomy. One restaurant I’m excited to try is DESBORRE, which embodies SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The restaurant uses organic, locally sourced produce and free-range meats, encouraging soil protection. This shows me how food sustainability and human health are deeply connected.
I am going to be a language assistant in Spain. I still can’t believe that this will be my reality- teaching and inspiring the younger generation, the future. Yes, I’ll be teaching English, but beyond adjectives and poems, I see this as an opportunity to inspire the next generation through education, but also practice. When we discuss sustainability, we tend to mention climate change, solar panels, and the list goes on. But what we don’t talk about is how we human beings are a part of sustainability.
Members of the United Nations say, ‘Leave No One Behind’. This quote resonated with me as it made me question how I will leave no student behind.
As I teach students English vocabulary, I will allow them to express their learning through art, dance and creative writing, limiting paper-based activities. Whilst planning future lesson topics, I will use the search engine Ecosia, which supports SDG 15: Life on Land.
Leaving no one behind includes teaching a diverse curriculum to boys and girls from a range of different cultures. Living in London meant one day I could be eating aromatic samosas and another day eating fresh Lebanese grill. I want to show students that education is not just the pages in a textbook. It is about experiencing culture.
I cannot wait to finally book my flight and stand on Spanish soil.
Here’s to leaving no one and nothing behind.
Resources used
1. https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings
2. https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/travel-guide/spain/sustainability
3. https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/simple-steps-to-make-flying-more-sustainable
4. https://www.esmadrid.com/en/sustainable-restaurants-madrid
5. https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind
6. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal15
