We all love travelling, discovering new places, having new experiences...and taking part of the Summer University Project is an option to do it, and it has even more: Getting out from your comfort zone, meeting people all around Europe (and beyond), learning about other cultures and developing yourself. But, sometimes we don’t realise how much is affecting the earth some of our actions of travelling. And either way you are travelling for Summer University, or in the rest of your trips during the year, we would like to give you some tips and motivation to travel in a more sustainable way, because it is all of our responsibilities to give up of comfort to save our earth.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
How can I get around the different places?
A very funny and a free way to travel from one city to another is doing hitchhike! Some people are afraid to do it, but following some tips, it’s really easy. First of all, is very important to go in pairs, both of you will be more safe. Sometimes it takes time, so take enough days for it, so you can relax and not stress during the trip. Once you are doing it, try to get out at a safe place, like a petrol station along the highway. Beside being safer than stopping along a road, it will also be much quicker to get going again. Be proactive: approach people filling up their car, ask people in the shop, but be polite, smile and be nice to them! In case you don’t succeed or if you need to stay a night in a city, in case there are AEGEE-local there, contact them for hosting places. Feeling safe is another important advice: You can take a picture or the number of the car plates and send it to family or friends, or if you don’t feel you can not trust in the person offering you the ride you can refuse it, of course. And take it easy...Hitchhiking in itself is another adventure you’re taking!
In case you are travelling alone and you would like to share the space in the car but you are not sure about hitchhiking, you can use different apps to travel from one city to another. People just post the trip they are making with their car and you can contact them. In case of going to a Summer University (or if you are travelling with friends), you can just contact people and organise a plan to go together in the same car.
Using public transport. Generally, it’s way cheaper than other transport and it’s more flexible (if you suddenly decide to do a post-trip, you’re not stuck to a ticket you cannot rebook). Sometimes, it might be a long time, which stops a lot of people, but you can deal with this.
To make it better, you should bring with you a blanket/pillow/thick hoodie. Earplugs, earphones, inflatable neck pillow, powerbank are other essentials that doesn’t take too much space and makes your trip more comfortable, and with it, try to sleep. Also for sleeping, is better doing a night bus/train. There are a lot, and they are announcing new ones!. You can also take off your shoes to be even more comfortable! Take food with you! You can speak with your neighbours and see where they’re going/came from.
There are people doing a bus-trip of 15, 20, 24 or even... 35+ hours! And nobody said it was bad/undoable. It might seem scary but if you are prepared is not that bad. You can enjoy the amazing and different views in the way, bring a book, download series, and even having a very productive time of working! There are always USB chargers.
Buses often stop in the centre of a city. Use your layovers to see some new cities! You can see more than you think, if you only have an hour or two. You could even plan a slightly longer layover to see a new city for (almost) free.
PACKING TIME
The more things you carry, means more weight, more carbon waste. Try to carry with you JUST the indispensable or essential things. Bring with you a reusable bottle and drink tap water, if possible. Also a reusable cup could be a good idea (refuse plastic cups that some bars use or during AEGEE events to drink your tea/coffee).
Try to everything in an electronic version and no waste no much paper (maps, touristic guides, tickets…). Sometimes printed tickets might be useful in case your phone dies, but in this case, take into account you should recycle or you can reuse it for notes or anything you need to write and keep.
In case of Summer University, reuse party clothes for the thematic parties, be creative instead of buying new from stores (such as Primark), buy second-hand clothing. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MATTRESS, bring it, reuse it.
THE ARRIVAL IN YOUR DESTINATION
What now?
When you are going to the supermarket, you go either to an ecological store or in the regular stores buy local products, if possible. You can check from which area is coming the product you are buying. You can also sign-up for the veggie food! And of course, recycle!
Go by foot, cities are often more walkable than you think and you will see much more! If walking is not an option, go by bike or use public transport.
Speak with people about sustainability, you can encourage people to do it, share experiences and learn from other stories!
And of course, for more tips of advices you can ask your friends or other AEGEEans about their stories. Also, you can check the Green Guidelines made by the Society and Environmental Interest Group (SEIG).
Laura García Rueda
(Blogger of the Summer University Project)
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