A day in the life of a Master’s in Sustainability Leadership student
11 November 2024 - Barbora Kotoun, Global Leader for Circularity at IKEA and student on the Master’s in Sustainability Leadership. Barbora shares her experience of studying the programme and details what a day looks like during one of her residential workshops in Cambridge, UK.
My day begins… Today is Thursday, and I’m about to share my student soundbite about circularity. The soundbites are short presentation slots at the start of the day where students are invited to present on their area of expertise or recent projects they have been working on. I set my alarm earlier than usual to practice my presentation. The sun is peeking through the window as I brew my specialty coffee and pour it into my tumbler. I pick-up my friend next door, and we head to the Fitzwilliam dining hall for breakfast. There, we join more classmates for our usual fried egg, baked beans, and the best hash browns ever, with a side of toast and black tea. Over breakfast, I give a sneak peek of my presentation, and we all laugh about yesterday’s punting adventure on the River Cam. I then set off to the Institute for Manufacturing to get ready for my presentation.
The workshop starts with… My presentation on driving systematic change to improve recycling of furniture. Sharing my work with such an engaged crowd is exhilarating, especially with all the curious questions from my classmates. We continue with a workshop on engaging suppliers in sustainability, discussing best practices in small groups before comparing our experience with the theory. The highlight of the morning is a session by Tim Lang, who emphasizes the multifaceted nature of food issues, from security and supply to health impacts and food waste. His insights on diet-related diseases and consumer food waste are eye-opening.
Between sessions… I look forward to the coffee breaks, they are perfect for catching up with classmates and expanding my network. Today, I meet three new students from different cohorts, and we exchange ideas and experiences. These breaks also provide a chance to reflect on the morning’s sessions and hear others’ perspectives. Plus, the cake selection is incredible—two pieces of heavenly carrot cake paired wonderfully with my coffee from earlier.
After lunch… We have the freedom to choose sessions based on our interests. I opt for textile and luxury sessions, given my career background. The textile session is an open conversation with a guest speaker about implementing sustainability in the industry, covering topics like regenerative agriculture, textile recycling and employing refugees, a topic especially close to my heart as it is the topic of my dissertation. I stay a bit longer and exchange perspectives with the speaker. The luxury session is a lecture on the unique role of luxury brands in sustainability. I learn about the specifics of luxury brands and their long-term vision thinking, potentially creating an easier path to sustainability, revealing great potential for future initiatives.
After sessions finish… Tonight, we have a formal dinner at Robinson College, so after the sessions, I rush back to my room to change. My friends and I walk briskly back to Fitzwilliam, with some opting to try out the city e-scooters for speed. I swap my sneakers for heels, grab a blazer and a clutch, and meet my friends for a taxi ride to Robinson. The evening starts with a delicious starter, followed by vegetarian mushroom pie and pudding, accompanied by a surprisingly good bottle of Rioja from the student bar. We chat and get to know each other better, and after dinner, a Robinson classmate gives us a tour, including a fun visit to the library. We end the night at the bar, enjoying each other’s company before heading to bed around 10 pm, ready for another full day ahead.
After a day of learning… I feel a mix of tiredness and energy after such an enriching day. Spending time with like-minded individuals who share my values is incredibly inspiring. We open our minds to new ideas and challenges, and it’s reassuring to know we’re all working towards making a positive impact. The sense of community and purpose is truly motivating.
This workshop marks the last one in my two-year journey at Cambridge, a milestone that brings mixed emotions. As a self-funded student, every moment here has been a significant investment in my future. Reflecting on these two years, I realize how much this experience has enriched my life, both personally and professionally. It’s sometimes overwhelming to think about the sustainable challenges ahead but seeing so many driven people in our cohort fills me with hope. The dedication and talent of the crowd is truly inspiring. I am confident that together, we can make it happen. We can make the world a better place.