Amsterdam, here I come!
Only four days remain before I embark on the adventure of a lifetime! That being said, I still have a lot of packing to do. This entire year has been a whirlwind of stress, opportunities, adventures and change, and only now is it sinking in that I will be in a new country come this weekend. As crazy as this past school year has been, I have certainly learned a lot in and out of the classroom, and I am excited to pair my knowledge with real-world experience. I have always dreamt of traveling abroad but never really found a program that felt like the perfect fit. As soon as I saw the trip for sustainable solutions in mobility and accessibility in the Netherlands, I knew it was the program for me.
As a junior double majoring in sustainability from the School of Sustainability and urban planning from the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, the Global Sustainability Studies Program’s trip to the Netherlands comes at just the right time in my academic career. I have a passion for exploring cities, and I am looking forward to experiencing a completely new city first-hand and learning how to model similar solutions for future cities. In sustainability we are often taught the problems of the world over and over and although defining challenges is important, we are rarely taught how to find solutions. I am looking forward to analyzing Amsterdam and other sustainable cities that already have many solutions in order to transfer these solutions to the U.S.
I am very anxious to soak up a new culture and experience a different daily routine. I believe “sustainability” is largely being able to accept change, and I know this trip will better help me with understanding and being comfortable with diversity. I love riding my bike, and as I look for a future career and place to call home, an accessible and walkable city is something I value.
I better return to packing, but I cannot wait to report back on my adventures as I bike through the Netherlands!