When I started planning my Erasmus exchange to Belgium, I knew this journey would be special: a new country, a new culture, and a new chapter. What I did not expect was that the journey itself would become one of the most meaningful parts of my Erasmus experience.
Instead of booking a quick flight from Germany to Belgium, I decided to take the bus from Würzburg to Leuven. It was not just a practical choice; it was a conscious one. For me, sustainable travel is not a trend; it is a value. I wanted my Erasmus story to begin the same way I hope to live it: slow, intentional, and kind to the planet.
Choosing the Slow Route
As someone living with Multiple Sclerosis, I have learned to listen to my body and choose balance over rush. A direct bus felt right for more than one reason: fewer transfers, less physical strain, and a calmer pace. It was also the greener option, producing a fraction of the emissions that a short flight would. I liked the thought that even before my classes began, I was already doing something aligned with the future I want to see. One where we move through the world more thoughtfully.
When I boarded the FlixBus early that morning, the air was cold and still. My backpack was packed neatly, my mind full of excitement and a little nervousness. The road stretched out ahead of me, eight hours between where I was and where I was going. But for once, I was not in a hurry.
Through the window, Germany slowly unfolded into rolling landscapes, sleepy towns, and foggy fields. I did not have to rush through security gates or listen to flight announcements. I could simply sit, breathe, and watch the world shift outside the glass.
A Journey to Be Present
There is something grounding about travelling by land. You feel distance in a way flying never lets you. Each hour on the road gives your mind time to adjust. to process that you are leaving one place and stepping into another. Somewhere between Frankfurt and the Belgian border, I realised I was not just changing countries. I was transitioning into a new phase of life, one that was about independence, curiosity, and self-discovery.
The rhythmic sound of the bus on the highway became a kind of meditation. I listened to music, stared at the horizon, and thought about what awaited me in Leuven. The trip was not glamorous, there were no fancy airport lounges or duty-free shops but it was peaceful, authentic, and mine.
I have always been drawn to scenic travel. Growing up in India, my father’s job meant we moved often, and I learned early to find comfort in new surroundings. The road became familiar,
a place where I could observe, imagine, and feel free. This bus ride reminded me of that same sense of wonder and the joy of moving slowly enough to see the world changing around you.
Arriving in Leuven
When the bus finally pulled into Leuven Station, the first thing I noticed was the golden light on the buildings. The architecture looked straight out of a storybook, tall Gothic towers, cobbled streets, and cyclists gliding past with quiet grace. I smiled without realising it. I whispered to myself, “Leuven, you beauty,” and in that instant, the exhaustion of the long ride disappeared.
There was a quiet pride in knowing I had reached here on my own terms, sustainably, consciously, and calmly. My Erasmus journey had already begun before I even stepped into my classroom.
What the Road Taught Me
Travelling by bus instead of plane might not sound extraordinary, but for me, it changed the rhythm of my Erasmus start. It taught me patience and presence. It reminded me that sustainability is not just about reducing carbon footprints; it is also about embracing slowness in a world that constantly rushes.
On the road, I was not just moving geographically. I was reflecting on how travel connects us, how small decisions matter, and how comfort sometimes lies in simplicity. The slower pace gave me something precious: time to think, time to breathe, and time to truly arrive.
More Than Just a Destination
By the time I reached my new home, I did not feel like I had just arrived somewhere new; I felt ready. The journey had already shaped my mindset: calm, curious, and open to what lay ahead. Leuven welcomed me not as a tourist or a stranger, but as someone who had taken the time to meet it halfway.
If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, it is that travel does not have to be fast to be meaningful. Sometimes, slowing down helps you see more, not just of the world, but of yourself.
So, to every future Erasmus student reading this: try the slow route once. Take the bus, take the train, look out the window, talk to strangers, or simply enjoy the silence. Because in those quiet, in-between hours, you might find what every journey truly offers: connection, perspective, and peace.
Reflection
My sustainable journey from Würzburg to Leuven was not just about transportation; it was about transformation. It reminded me that mindful travel does not end when you arrive; it continues in how you live, study, and connect with the world around you.
And as I now walk through Leuven’s colourful streets, I still think back to that bus window, the moment the fog lifted and the world opened up, and a smile knowing that going slow was exactly the right pace to begin.
