Hi everyone! 👋

I’m Huiwen, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Student Green Office this year. 🌿 I’m a PhD researcher at CCCU exploring how AI can support students’ learning and critical thinking. That sounds serious (and it is), but outside of my research, I’m someone who loves noticing small, quirky details in life and turning them into stories through vlogs and blogs – because even ordinary moments can feel extraordinary when you pay attention.

(And yes—that’s me in the photo rocking Tang dynasty fashion, proof that reusing old styles can be the ultimate form of sustainability. 😄)

Why I joined SGO 🌱

For me, sustainability is not just about saving the planet – it’s also about making life better, calmer, and sometimes funnier. Every time I get close to nature, I feel a mysterious healing power. Once, standing in the Sahara Desert under a sky full of stars, I felt both tiny and deeply connected to something bigger. The next morning, I tripped over my backpack while running to catch the sunrise, which taught me another lesson: nature is beautiful, but it does not provide health insurance.

When I worked as a tour guide in the Scottish Highlands, I expected the hills to get boring after a few weeks. Spoiler: they didn’t. They were like influencers who never repeat outfits – green in spring, glamorous in summer, golden in autumn, and minimalist in winter. Watching those changes made me realise that nature is the ultimate content creator, and sustainability is simply about making sure the show never gets cancelled.

Everyday sustainability (a.k.a. DIY IKEA) 🛠️

In daily life, I hate wasting things, so I often try to give objects a second life. 📦 Moving boxes have become makeshift tables and pen holders. Old clothes? I stitched them into a colourful rug that now sits proudly in my living room. Friends sometimes laugh at my “DIY chic” style, but honestly, it’s IKEA without the hex key. Sustainability doesn’t have to be boring – it can be creative, practical, and surprisingly fun.

I also love stories of people who prove that small actions matter. My favourite is Jadav Payeng, the “Forest Man of India,” who planted trees every day for decades and ended up creating a whole forest. 🌳 If one man can grow a forest, then surely my recycled rug counts as a mini rainforest in the making.

Student-life sustainability 🎒

Of course, living sustainably as a student has its own comedy. I’ve become a master at chasing student discounts – sometimes asking “Do you do a student discount?” before I even say hello. It’s sustainable for my wallet if not always for my social confidence.

In my student flat, I’ve also learned that saving energy is a group project. I once proudly announced I was switching off all the unused plugs – only to discover I’d unplugged the WiFi router and become the least popular person in the building. Another time, I tried taking “shorter showers to save water,” but got so stressed about the ticking timer on my phone that I forgot to shampoo. Apparently, eco-friendly and absent-minded is a dangerous combination. But these moments remind me that sustainability isn’t about being perfect. It’s about trying, laughing at the mistakes, and learning to do better next time.

Funny mistakes (a never-ending series) 😂

When I first arrived in the UK, I thought “Subway” meant the metro. 🚇 After 30 minutes of searching, I found… a sandwich shop. My collection of tote bags has also grown to an impressive jungle. I buy one almost every time I forget to bring one, which means I now own enough to start a shop of my own. If you ever need an emergency tote, I’m basically a walking storage unit.

And then there’s food. I hate wasting it, so I experiment with “creative leftover cooking.” Sometimes it’s genius (curry fried rice is now my speciality). Sometimes… less so. But nothing goes to waste, and at least my vlog audience gets entertainment out of it.

Cycling has been another adventure. I started biking more to be greener and healthier, but my sense of direction is terrible. Let’s just say I now know corners of Canterbury that don’t appear on Google Maps. Sustainability: 1. My navigation: 0.

Looking ahead 💡

Joining SGO feels like the perfect way to bring all these pieces together – the inspiring moments, the creative hacks, and the ridiculous mistakes. I want to show that sustainability doesn’t have to feel intimidating or guilt-driven. It can be quirky, personal, and full of stories that make people smile. Through blogs, vlogs, and events, I’d love to make sustainability feel like something we want to do, not something we have to do.

I’m really looking forward to meeting many of you. Let’s make this year full of good ideas, funny stories, and greener choices. And if you forget your tote bag? Don’t worry – I probably have three spares with me already. 😉💚

By Huiwen Wang, SGO Projects Officer