About Me
Hi! My name is Mae. I’m from Allentown, PA. I’m majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. My chosen program is Plus3 Netherlands. I’m involved in many different activities on campus, including Phi Sigma Rho, the Chinese American Student Association, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Engineering Student Council, where I am on the Freshman Committee. Some hobbies of mine include listening to music (folk-pop or indie-rock), watching movies, or painting. I’m also getting back into reading with my favorite book being “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. Another fun fact is that I am a huge soccer fan. I played competitively for 14 years and now play pick-up on the weekends and IMs. I also am a big supporter of Liverpool FC.
What I Hope to Gain
Academically/professionally, I hope to gain knowledge regarding sustainability as I’m looking to get the SSOE sustainability certificate. The Plus3 Netherlands program will allow me to explore my interest in this topic firsthand as the Netherlands is one of the most sustainable countries in the world. Learning about how the Dutch government emphasizes the health of its people via sustainable infrastructure and how businesses are dedicated to sustainability will help me better understand the differences between American and Dutch cultures. Additionally, learning about how the Dutch have overcome challenges regarding floodgate management by creating solutions that are in harmony with nature will help me think outside the box for a future career.
Personally, I have a great interest in walkable cities. Amsterdam is the poster child for this type of planning. Its human-centric design allows pedestrians to easily travel throughout the city, without needing to worry about cars or other vehicles. I’m very excited to witness this in person.
What a “walkable” city is:
Overall, I’m looking forward to this experience and appreciative of the opportunity. I’ve never been to Europe before and I can’t wait to check this off my bucket list.