To me, travel has never simply meant moving from one country to another. It is a kind of exchange: through language, food, ideas, and responsibility. As I prepare for my at placement in Japan, I am excited not only to study in a new academic environment, but also to think carefully about the footprint I leave behind. I do not want my year abroad to be a story of taking: taking flights, taking photos, taking experiences. I want it to be a story of giving back, learning respectfully, and travelling as lightly as possible.
Sustainability begins before the suitcase is even packed. Instead of treating my placement as an excuse to buy an entirely new wardrobe or endless travel items, I will prioritise durable, reusable essentials for example, a refillable water bottle, reusable bags and second-hand clothing. This supports the spirit of UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, responsible consumption and production, by challenging the idea that travel must involve constant buying. While in Japan, I plan to make public transport my main way of commuting. Japan’s railway and metro systems are efficient, reliable, and more environmentally friendly than relying on cars or short domestic flights. Walking will help me experience local neighbourhoods more closely, rather than rushing through them as a tourist. By slowing down, I can notice the everyday details: a local bakery, a quiet shrine, a recycling sign I have to translate, or the rhythm of student life around Nihon University.
I also want to align my behaviour with UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, climate action, by reducing waste wherever possible. Japan has a strong culture of sorting rubbish, recycling, and maintaining clean public spaces. I will take time to understand local recycling rules, avoid single-use plastics, and reduce food waste by planning meals carefully. Convenience stores may be tempting, but I will try to choose minimally packaged options when I can and support local businesses that promote sustainable practices.
My academic background in Linguistics and Social Anthropology has taught me that sustainability is not only about the environment; it is about people, culture, and respect. Eco-friendly travel means listening to local communities, following local customs, and recognising that I am a temporary guest in someone else’s home. Through my placement, I hope to encourage other students to think about small but meaningful actions: taking the train instead of flying, carrying reusables, reducing waste, and treating sustainability as a daily habit rather than a one-time performance.
My goal is not to be a perfect traveller. Perfection is unrealistic, and sometimes sustainability is complicated. My goal is to be a conscious traveller: someone who asks better questions, makes better choices, and understands that even small actions matter when they become consistent. In Japan, I hope my year abroad will not only expand my education, but also strengthen my responsibility to the planet. I want to return home with more than memories; I want to return with habits that contribute to a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable world.
