What is a student's greener exchange period abroad like?

International experience and competence are important in the global world, however. This is why good practical examples are needed of how an exchange period can be made more eco-friendly. 

Green Exchange Ambassador concept motivates greener exchanges

The Green Exchange Ambassador concept jointly developed by three Universities of Applied Sciences to meet this need encourages green travel and exchange periods. It was created by the 3AMK alliance consisting of Haaga-Helia, Laurea and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences. The concept has now been tested for one academic year. Greener Exchange guides were also produced for both outgoing exchange students and those arriving in Finland.

The purpose of the concept is to bring up inspiring and concrete examples of how the exchange period can be made greener. The aim is that sustainable choices will soon be the standard operating method also in student mobility. 

“Another student’s example is the best motivator”, says Tiina Piipponen, International Coordinator at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. 

Four students, two of whom went on an exchange in Europe and two further afield, were selected as Green Exchange Ambassadors.   

“We received a high number of applications, which is an indication of young people's interest in a more sustainable way of life.”  

The Ambassadors gave tips and shared their experiences on their organisations’ social media channels. Before the exchanges, the Ambassadors got to know each other at a kick-off meeting. They were also familiarised with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ways of gaining social media visibility. 

The students themselves had both enthusiasm and fresh views of how the principles of environmental responsibility can be observed in practice. For example, they came up with many ideas about what you should pack in your case and how you can follow sustainability principles at the destination. 

Travel can be a learning experience in itself

Overland travel to the destination can be part of the adventure and the learning experience of the exchange.  

“It is quite different when you experience the physical distance between your home and the exchange destination in concrete terms. Travelling long distances by train is a completely different experience than flying. The joys and benefits of this alone are worth considering", says Tiina Piipponen. 

Small basic things of daily life

In practice, greener student mobility is about much more than just making travel as carbon neutral as possible. One of the Green Exchange Ambassadors was Inka Autio, who was motivated to participate by both an opportunity to make the exchange period more eco-friendly and her previous experiences of interrailing. 

"I also strive for an eco-friendly way of living in my daily life", Inka explains.  

According to Inka, the ecological choices that make the exchange period more environmentally friendly are ultimately small and basic things of daily life. In addition to travel-related choices, you should remember that you will have to buy all kinds of things at the destination.  

"For example, you may not be able to bring dishes and bedlinen with you from home; on the other hand, it is not worth buying everything, either, at least not new items," Inka Autio notes. This is why you should find out in advance about the locations of charity shops and check if you could rent dishes or, for example, buy second-hand ones from students who have finished their exchange periods.

 “They set up this kind of service at my exchange destination after I had gone home.”  

You should also not be too hard on yourself if you cannot follow a 100% sustainable way of living during the exchange. 

"The practicalities of ecological living during the exchange were different from what I had planned in advance, as there were so many other things that you had to consider over there. When everything is new, you may not have quite so much energy to focus on environmental issues.” 

This is why advance planning is important. It is a good idea to make a list of the essential items that you will need and consider how you can obtain them at the exchange destination as ecologically as possible. You should pack clothes that are as versatile as possible. You can get good tips about making your exchange greener from students who have already been out. Inka also points out that everything need not be just so during the exchange, and you can do with less. 

"In addition, practices related to things like recycling may be different in other countries. For example, rubbish may only be sorted after it has been collected from households.” 

Inka Autio mentions communality as something that promotes an ecological way of living. 

“Communal living may be really ecological. When you live with others, it is a good idea to operate as a community. This is a way of reducing food losses, for instance.”

Tiina Piipponen notes that the key is making small choices with greater awareness, thinking of the environment. This may lead to a more sustainable way of living overall. 

“Sustainability competence also plays an important role in the world of work in all fields.”    

Text: Aino Kivelä