Voices from the First Cohort: Meet Sadhna and Esha

In this interview, we speak with Sadhna and Esha, two students from our Science for Sustainable Societies programme. Both have been passionate about sustainability from a young age and believe that we have to ensure a more secure and abundant future for humanity and all other species.

For both of them, sustainability is about collective action and shared responsibility. ‘Collective action could maybe heal the fragmentation within society and we overcome our differences to solve this collective issue’ Esha says. Sadhna adds, ‘even if you are not studying sustainability, it is going to impact you… we need to work together to help solve it.’

They also share a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty, Esha is drawn to protecting forests and coastlines, while Sadhna is especially concerned about the shrinking glaciers and the Cascade mountain range, where her grandparents live.

What motivated you to choose the Science for Sustainable Societies programme?

Sadhna: ‘For me, it was the interdisciplinary aspect. I have always struggled to choose just one path, and this programme brings together different areas in a really meaningful way. I also liked that it is not just about theory, but also developing practical skills that we can actually use.’

Esha: ‘Yeah, I can relate to that. I really enjoyed subjects like biology and geography and this programme combining natural and social sciences just made sense to me. Sustainability is such a complex issue, we need both perspectives to really make a difference.’

You are now a few weeks in the programme. What is something new or surprising you have learned in these first weeks?

Esha: ‘Content-wise, it feels like a deeper dive into topics I have seen before. For example in ecology, it is more in-depth than in school, but not totally new. What has been surprising for me is more on the skills side. I had never really learned how to read scientific papers properly, and now we are being taught that, which is super useful.

Sadhna: ‘I took a gap year before starting university, so these first weeks have been about getting back into the academic mindset for me. Although I did not do my high school biology examens, and ecology is brand-new for me, it is very interesting and doable. I did chemistry and geography in high school and there is some overlap.’

What are you looking forward to in the rest of the year?

Sadhna: ‘I am really looking forward to the anthropology course coming up next block. It is always been something I have wanted to explore. I have heard a lot about it, but I have never actually had the chance to study it properly, so I am excited for that.’

Esha: ‘The same for me content wise, but skills wise I am also curious about the programming part, since I have never really done that before. And beyond the courses, I am also looking forward to just getting to know our cohort better. We are already starting to connect more, and I think it will be really fun to grow together throughout the year.’

How does it feel to be part of a new programme?

Esha: ‘I think it is pretty cool that we are the first cohort. I was actually surprised that a programme like this did not already exist. I am just really glad I ended up being part of it.’

Sadhna: ‘Yeah, same here. I was definitely a bit nervous before starting, I even emailed the study advisors about it! But it has been amazing so far. I really enjoy it and feel like I made the right choice.’

Esha: ‘Yes, contacting the study advisors is really easy and they are very responsive!’

How have the first few courses shaped your understanding of sustainability so far?

Esha: ‘I think the Introduction to Science for Sustainable Societies course brought up some really interesting points, especially from a social science perspective, like questions around responsibility: who should be in charge of solving these issues, and how do we work together?’

Sadhna: ‘And in ecology, although it is applied, we learn the ecological foundation that is necessary. You kind of need to understand the basics before you can fully see the bigger picture.’

Esha: ‘In mathematics we learned about the Earth’s energy balance. I’m not sure how it is contributing to my understanding of sustainability yet, but I certainly learned something new.'

And last question, what is the most sustainable thing that you have every done?

Sadhna: ‘Hmm... I have actually never really thought about that. I am vegetarian and we do have solar panels at home though. Maybe just choosing to study this programme!’

Esha: ‘Yeah, same it is not something I have thought about much either. But I guess one of the most sustainable things I have done is taking an Interrail trip over the summer instead of flying. Some of my friends chose to fly, but I decided to take the train. It felt like a conscious choice.’