Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I grew up in the agglomeration of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. In high school, I was particularly drawn to the natural sciences. I studied biology and chemistry at an advanced level, and I also chose advanced geography as an elective.

Beyond my formal education, I am also a member of the Association of the Hungarian Friends of Minerals, an organization dedicated to mineralogy and the appreciation of geological sciences. Through this interest, I have developed a fascination with Earth sciences and the processes that shape our planet. More generally, I have always been deeply interested in nature and the environment.

What inspired you to apply for Science for Sustainable Societies?

My previous answer already reflects much of what motivates me. At the same time, I have always been open to exploring new perspectives and engaging with different fields rather than limiting myself to a single area.

What particularly attracted me to the Science for Sustainable Societies programme is its unique combination of natural sciences and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach is relatively rare and encourages thinking about complex issues from multiple perspectives. In today’s world, sustainability is not only an emerging concept but an essential one especially with consideration of our future.

What was/is your favorite course thus far?

Environmental Psychology stands out to me, even though it is not strictly a natural sciences course. What I find particularly interesting about it is that it focuses not only on society as a whole but also on individuals, who I believe represent an important unit of change. Even relatively small behavioral shifts at the individual level can accumulate and lead to significant outcomes.

The course examines the motivations behind human behavior and the possible interventions that can influence it. Understanding these mechanisms is essential not only for effective policy design, but also for gaining insight into what drives people’s decisions and, more importantly, Why?

What was/is your favorite assignment thus far?

I am not entirely sure if they count as assignments, but the excursions have been among my favorite parts of the programme so far. It is one thing to learn about concepts in the classroom, and another to experience them directly in the field. Being able to observe landscapes, ecosystems, or environmental processes in person adds the practical dimension that complements theoretical learning.

For me, the value of these excursions goes beyond simply spending time in nature although that is certainly an important aspect. What makes them particularly meaningful is the opportunity to better understand the processes and drivers behind what we study. Seeing how these concepts manifest in real environments helps connect abstract ideas with examples and deepen overall understanding.

What would you like to do after graduating?

After graduating, I plan to continue my studies by pursuing a master’s degree in geology, allowing me to build on my current academic background while moving closer to a long-standing personal goal of working more deeply within the Earth sciences.

Ideally, this path will give me the opportunity to focus on what I find most meaningful: studying the processes that shape our planet and contributing, in some capacity, to the broader scientific community. I also hope that this work can have relevance beyond academia and add to wider societal discussions related to the environment and sustainability.

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, a lively and chaotic city in the best way. There are always new restaurants, bars, interesting people to meet, and spaces to hang out, plus traffic at every hour.

After completing the Indonesian national curriculum in high school, I began my undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering in China. The programme pushed me to think quantitatively and solve problems under pressure, which strengthened my technical skills.

What inspired you to apply for Science for Sustainable Societies?

I knew that switching programmes and countries was not a small decision because I had already committed to a technical path. Over time, though, the scale of the questions I wanted to ask expanded. While working on engineering problems, I found myself increasingly curious about the systems around them. Science for Sustainable Societies stood out because it allowed me to build on my technical background while engaging with those broader systems questions. This programme also aligns closely with how I believe sustainability should be approached, as it combines environment, governance, and society within one framework.

What is your favorite course thus far?

My favorite course so far is Governing Sustainability. I really liked that we had to work with countries’ policy documents and reports while having to question the feasibility of their targets. It shifted how I think about sustainability by showing that ambition alone is not enough, implementation and institutional design matter just as much.

What was/is your favorite assignment thus far?

Definitely the Python modelling project! I did not expect to enjoy it that much. Building the model and testing different logic was genuinely satisfying, especially when the code finally ran correctly. The process was fun and interesting because we worked with actual climate data, such as temperature trends and carbon levels.

What would you like to do after graduating?

I would like to work in a role that keeps me close to data and real-world problem solving but also involves people and variety. Consulting appeals to me right now because it exposes you to multiple sectors, which aligns well with this major, and requires translating analysis into practical recommendations. I enjoy the human side of the work as well, working with stakeholders, presenting, and figuring out what’s realistic in messy situations.

You are also in the Programme Committee of the programme, as one of the student members. Can you tell us about your role as a student member of the Programme Committee?

My two student classmates and I represent the student perspective on the Programme Committee. We hold discussions about the overall quality of the programme, which includes reviewing course evaluations and considering how the programme evolves over time and how courses fit together. I appreciate the committee's openness and constructiveness. Being part of the committee has given me insight into how academic decisions are made, while also pushing me to communicate clearly and contribute constructively in structured discussions.

Why did you choose this programme?

Honestly, I just thought it looked fun! I was thinking about a lot of different programmes, and when I saw this, the interdisciplinary aspect really appealed to me. I visited the Open Day of Leiden University, and I accidentally stumbled upon SfSS and went to the information session: I was hooked right away.

And how is it going so far?

Good! I like that the programme lets me explore different disciplines and that there is a nice balance between academic theory and hands-on, practical components. And very important: I’ve also met new people and made new friends.

Can you tell us a bit about the courses you’re currently taking?

In the first block, my favorite course was Introduction to Science for Sustainable Societies. The diversity of topics and the interactive format really stood out. We had excursions, real-life case studies, and even a guest panel from the Mabuwaya Foundation, who shared their experiences in wildlife conservation in the Philippines. It showed how different disciplines are in conversation work and how all of them connect in real life.

This block, I’m following Anthropology of Sustainability, Social Science Methods, and Governing Sustainability. I’m really enjoying Anthropology of Sustainability. There’s a lot of reading, but the discussions about the readings make it worthwhile. We talk about concepts such as colonialism, capitalism, social (in)justice, and environmental issues. These discussions help you understand different perspectives and think more critically about sustainability issues.

What would you like to do after graduating?

I’d love to work in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, either in marine or tropical environments. Therefore, I’m especially looking forward to taking the Earth Systems Science course this year, and the Biodiversity and Livelihoods, and Integrated Field Methods courses in the second year.

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.’