Wafi Ara: Nachhaltig in Brügge

A to Z of my green travel to Bruges: Tips for the fellow Erasmus students 

As an Erasmus+ trainee at UNU-CRIS (Nature, Climate and Health Cluster), I want to share my entire journey from leaving my home in Aachen to living in Bruges for 6 months, with the fellow Erasmus students and trainees to help them following some tips to make some sustainable impacts without doing environmental harm while studying or working in a new city.

A: Ambition to choose a Green Travel

My commitment to work for climate change really influenced me to decide to take green travel options, such as: Trains, Buses and walk wherever possible to reduce CO₂ emissions. I wanted my entire Erasmus experience to reflect my work in climate policy for sustainability. 

B: Booking mindfully

Before booking the travel, my suggestions for fellow students are to compare the CO₂ emissions between trains, buses, and planes. There are many apps (One Planet Life) to track real-time emissions. Always remember that even your one flight-free trip can make a huge impact! If possible, book your train or bus early for the best price. 

C: Clean Travel: Green Travel

For me, green travel is more than just reducing carbon footprint; it is also about minimizing waste, conserving natural resources, respecting the local ecosystem and waste management system. During my travels and stay in Bruges, I always tried to avoid single-use plastics, non-recyclable materials and rather used reusable containers, tote bags, compostable wraps for daily use. 

D: Digital over paper

I also tried to minimize the use of paper and all my travel tickets, offline-maps and documents were saved digitally in my mobile phone (Google drive, SNCB app). This act is simple but helped me to be environmentally responsible by going paperless and made my journey more climate-conscious.

E: Energy conscious living

I always prioritized low energy consumption while staying in Bruges. Small acts like unplugging the electronics when not in use, choosing natural daylight, minimizing hot water usage in Summer not only helped me to stay energy-conscious, but also changed my mindset in energy-consumption. In fact, my dorm was also designed with energy-saving features like using LED lights in all rooms and common spaces; motion-sensor lights in corridors, kitchens to avoid waste; solar-powered water heating system to ensure sustainability.  

F: Foot print over Footprint 

One of the conscious choices I made while staying in Bruges was to prioritize my own footprint over my carbon footprint. Since Bruges has pedestrian and cycling friendly streets all over the city, I chose to walk on the cobbled streets of this mediaeval city and explored the tranquil canals, Ivy-covered beautifully architectured brick homes which allowed me to build a deeper connection with this city. Each footprint I left was a temporary physical footprint, not a lasting environmental one.

G: Go green

My advice for fellow students will be to always focus on green mobility (e.g. cycling, walking, e-scooters or other local transport options). Every small step towards sustainability matters, and collectively these small steps can make a huge and meaningful difference.

H: Hang your laundry

It is always better both for the clothes and the planet to skip dryer to dry clothes. Rather, I choose to hang my clothes to save energy and lower the carbon emission. Trust me, it’s free and really satisfying! 

I: Inspire others

I always tried to inspire my colleagues and other dorm mates to choose sustainable options. In fact, one of my dorm mates started following me and reduced her energy consumption and waste generation by minimizing the unnecessary power usage. 

J: Just say ‘NO’ to single use plastics

It’s always best to keep your own tote bag; reusable cutleries, water bottles and compostable bags; and avoid using single-use plastic items like plastic bags or disposable cups. This is one of the simplest ways to travel sustainably.

K: Keep yourself minimal

Minimalist way of lifestyle can really help one to live in the most sustainable way possible. It not only makes the travelling light but also reduces unnecessary purchasing and minimizes waste generation. 

L: Local artisans

I will definitely recommend the fellow students to buy from the local artisans to support the traditional arts and crafts of the host country and encourage handmade, sustainable and environment friendly products. 

M: Mindful to your digital footprint

Green travel is not just about what we do outside, it is also something about how we utilize our non-renewable energy resources. By minimizing our digital footprint, for instance, switching off devices when not in use, not charging the devices constantly, downloading offline maps, limiting online video streaming, we can behave more eco-friendly.

N: Network sustainably

Building connections with fellow students coming from different socio-cultural backgrounds and joining Erasmus Student Network (ESN) to share a green and sustainable journey with fellow students. All of our collective actions can really have an unimaginable impact. 

O: Observation

I will suggest the fellow students to always observe the local people and their practices. Try to adopt their valuable habits, respect their cultural and environmental norms. 

P: Public transport

I always used the public transport system in Bruges (De Lijn) for the internal travels and I will recommend the fellow students to travel in bus or trams. Each full bus can replace up to 30 cars on the street and this is how we can contribute in generating less CO₂. 

Q: Scan the QR code

R: Recycling

Every country has their own waste management and recycling strategy, so try to respect the local rules. Segregate your waste properly and use designated bins for plastic, papers and organic waste. 

S: Stewardship starts with you

I always tried to think of myself as a temporary steward of the place I’m living in and take care of it as if it's my own. This mindset shifts travel from consuming a place to caring for it. 

T: Think before you buy

I chose to use the shareable kitchen items in the dorm rather than purchasing new ones and just buy what I truly need. Before making any purchase, ask yourself, if it’s really necessary or if you can just borrow, rent or find a sustainable alternative that can make your Erasmus journey more meaningful and sustainable. 

U: Use what you have

I always had a habit of repurposing what I already have instead of buying new one. For example, I used my leftover coffee grounds to make a natural body scrub which is simple, effective, and waste-free. I turned a juice bottle into a planting pot and gave worn-out clothes a second life as cleaning clothes. Reusing what I have does not just reduce waste, it helps me to live more sustainably throughout the journey.

V: Value every resources around you

Do not treat anything as a ‘Waste’ by default, rather try to make the most out of it. Valuing every resource surrounding you is not just about conservation, it’s about making sustainability a part of your daily life.

W: Waste less, utilize more

During my Erasmus journey, I learned how to plan my meals to reduce waste, how to give a second life to the things I have in my surroundings. Some small acts but thoughtful decisions helped me daily to live a better and smarter life.

X: eXchange, don’t discard 

In my dorm, we turned our small corridor into a mini circular economy by exchanging things that we no longer wanted. For example, if someone is going to leave the dorm then they share the pictures of the item in the shared Whatsapp group. Within minutes someone else would claim the item, pick it up, and give it a second life. This is how we turned our waste into an opportunity.

Y: Yay! Time to live sustainably

After completing my Erasmus journey, I do not only pack some unforgettable memories, but also some habits that I am still trying to practice back at my home. My trip back home wasn’t just a return—it is just the continuation of the green journey that I started in Bruges. It really feels good when I look back into my days and the small steps I took for the betterment of the climate, environment and the future generation. That’s worth celebrating.

Z: Zoom into Bruges through a visual journey

Words can share a lot, but some stories are best seen. Scan the QR code mentioned above to take a visual journey through my green Erasmus life in Bruges—moments of sustainability, creativity, and connection captured along the way. Let this small video show you how small choices can make a huge impact. 

Programm: Erasmus+ Praktikum 
Gastinstitution: UNU-CRIS (United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies), Brügge, Belgien
Studiengang: Global Health – Risk Management and Hygiene Policies (Master of Science)
Zeit des Aufenthalts: Studienjahr 2024/25