Today was our last day waking up in Enschede. We packed up and took our bus all the way across the border to Germany, where we visited Munster. The city was quiet, since it was a Sunday and many people were attending church, especially the older generations. Stores were mostly closed today, so after a…
Author: clementineasmuthday
Day 7: Pace Yourself!
Today, we went on a tour of Enschede led by a municipal civil engineer, and learned about the variety of sustainability features that Enschede uses to maintain its structure. In Enschede, one of the main environmental issues is the collection of rainwater and possibility of flooding with heavy rain. Therefore, engineers create natural and sustainable…
Day 6: Old Cities and New Windmills
Today, we started off the morning with a lecture from a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at the University of Twente about the aerodynamics of windmill blades, and a general overview of how windmills work. We learned that one of the major downsides to wind energy is the potential noise of the windmills, and to…
Day 5: We Wente to Twente!
Today, we left Amsterdam early and traveled to Enshcede by bus. We arrived and left our luggage at a hotel very close to the campus of the University of Twente, since the hotel wasn’t ready for check-in yet. Therefore, we immediately went to the university and learned about the different housing options of the students,…
Day 4: Windmills and Cheese Wheels
Today, we took a train to Zaanse Schans, and learned about the old windmills there, which were vital to the early the Dutch economy. The windmills were used for a variety of tasks, including sawing lumber, grinding spices, and even controlling the water in the surrounding areas. The windmills could also be rotated to face…
Day 3: Tulips and Schoonschips?
Today, we started with a late breakfast, and then traveled on a bus (the first mode of private transportation we have taken in the Netherlands) to De Tulperij tulip farm. Here, we learned about how tulips and hyacinths are grown and harvested at this particular farm. The lead farmer avoids using pesticides, and instead he…
Days 0, 1, and 2: Nether Been This Tired
Yesterday (although it feels like today), I woke up at 5:30 AM on Saturday to meet outside of Benedum and head to the airport. I think it’s been about 31 hours since then and I have not slept at all. We had a layover in Boston and arrived in the Netherlands at about 5:30 AM…
The Netherlands, Up Close
Hello, my name is Clementine Asmuth-Day and I am from Central PA. I am majoring in mechanical engineering, and planning on getting a nuclear certificate as well. From a young age, I have been passionate about sustainability and sustainable forms of energy, and I hope to make a difference in those areas. I plan on…