Photo Guy Ackermans Ah yes, sustainability. The glossy brochures and university Instagram posts tell us we should eat local, buy organic, shop ethically and minimize waste. The planet depends on us, after all! But here’s the catch: try doing that as a student on a tight budget – especially as a non-EU student juggling exchange rates that make every euro feel twice as heavy.
Take vegetables, for example. Back in India, a trip to the sabzi mandi meant returning with a bag full of okra, spinach and potatoes without even thinking about the cost. Here, the same amount of vegetables eats up a good chunk of my weekly budget. Coriander, which vendors in India often throw in for free, suddenly feels like a luxury garnish. And of course, how can we forget about home decor? Pinterest says: ‘Buy sustainably crafted bamboo lamps and recycled wood shelves’. My wallet says: ‘Check the IKEA clearance corner and make do’. Still, I can’t ignore the need to make my room feel like home — after all, this is where I’ll spend the next two years.
In the end, yes, I am living sustainably. But not because I’ve carefully chosen to
So what’s the alternative? Enter the world of second-hand survival. Not because I’m some eco-warrior with a Pinterest-perfect zero-waste lifestyle, but because my budget leaves me no choice. Furniture? Found through Kringloop or WhatsApp student groups. Kitchen utensils? A mix of hand-me-downs and items ‘inherited’ from past tenants. Even jars and yogurt tubs get reused because buying proper containers feels unnecessary when every cent counts.
In the end, yes, I am living sustainably. But not because I’ve carefully chosen to. My carbon footprint stays small not out of eco-consciousness, but because flights home cost more than I can afford. And why am I so careful about every purchase? Because, like many other international students, I’m here on a loan that will follow me long after graduation.
So maybe that’s the real lesson of student life abroad: it isn’t only about your academic training but also about realizing how survival mode often ends up looking a lot like a sustainable lifestyle.
Arohi Natu, is a second year Master’s student Food Technology from India. She is a creative person who likes to try new things and also loves cooking, singing, painting and exploring new places.
