As I write my final blog post from Costa Rica, I am very sad that this experience is coming to an end because I truly do not want to leave. Over the past two weeks, this trip has given me such a wide variety of experiences that made it both educational and unforgettable. We were…
Category: Plus3 2025
Taking Pura Vida Home
Over the last 2 weeks in Costa Rica I have completely changed the way I think about businesses. Before, I mostly viewed businesses through profitability and being the overall “best”/most popular. However, after visiting so many different organizations and farms, I realized that successful businesses can also prioritize environmental protection and community development. My project…
Goodbye Costa Rica!
Coming into this trip, I did not really know what to expect from Costa Rica beyond the fact that it was going to be warm and that it was going to rain a lot. Leaving it, I have a completely different understanding of what it actually means to build a business around something bigger than…
Wrapping It All Up
Leaving Costa Rica, I have gained so much knowledge and experiences on this trip that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn about or see firsthand back in the States. Costa Rica has built an economy around a set of values that embody their country through community, sustainability, and care for their people which…
Modern Solutions to Old Problems
As our trip begins to wind down, we are starting to see how the complex history of the Netherlands has helped shape the innovation of tomorrow. Today, we toured rooftop gardens in the city of Rotterdam and visited another detailed museum, Watersnoodmuseum, which focused on the devastating flood of 1953. As we started our morning,…
Audi: Wednesday
Audi on Wednesday was a great experience. Personally, I wish we had been able to spend another hour or so there. I definitely liked the Audi facility more than the BMW tour, mainly because the path we took through the factory made you feel as if you were actually on the production line. Cars were…
The Final Pura Vida
When I first arrived in Costa Rica, I expected to see beautiful landscapes, try new foods, and experience a different culture, but I did not expect the trip to completely change the way I think about business and community. Over the past few weeks, every rainforest hike, company visit, and conversation showed me how deeply connected…
The best day
Today was one of the most exciting and memorable days of our trip to London. From exploring famous landmarks to ending the night with an incredible theater performance, every part of the day was memorable. London is a city full of history, culture, and energy, and getting to experience so many iconic places in one…
Built Against the Tide
Tuesday launched us into the detailed past of one of the Netherlands’ darkest, yet most important, moments in history: the flood of 1953. We left early to arrive at the Deltaworks to learn about the tragic flood, and the actions the Netherlands has taken in response to it. The Deltaworks is a large complex along…
Moo-ving Towards Sustainability
Early Monday morning, we woke up for our first full day in Rotterdam. With a gray, cold forecast ahead, I unfortunately wasn’t dressed for the weather, but I still ended up having a great day. We navigated public transit across the city and began with a visit to an innovative floating farm, followed later by…
From Ruins to Remembering
Sunday brought us to the second country of our trip: Germany. It was my first time visiting the country, and I was excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in its history and culture. Our destination was the city of Münster, a place whose history stretches back thousands of years. Despite its long history, many…
Day Twelve: Bye Bye Bilbao
Today was our final day in Bilbao! We started the day off as per usual nice and early with breakfast! Then we made our way to the School of Engineering for the last time. We started off by seeing the robotic arm project which was very neat to see. They 3D print each portion individually…
Going with the Flow in Enschede
Today was a balance between learning about sustainability and experiencing the student culture here in Enschede. Throughout the day, we saw how the city carefully plans for the future while also witnessing the strong sense of community that defines life at the University of Twente. Our morning began with another guided tour, this time through…
I nether want to leave!
On our last day in the Netherlands, we visited the national seat of government, the Hague. This city has served as the administrative center since the 13th century, containing the Prime minister’s office, the Supreme court, and the King’s working palace. The Hague was chosen to be the political city of the Netherlands because of…
Day 13- Presentation
When you’re moving from city to city, factory to factory, you absorb the next thing and move on. Today was the first time I had to slow down and find the thread that connects to every place I have been on this trip. There is a thread. The central argument of this program is building around is one I’ve been circling since about day one. Germany is one of…
The greatness of Delta Works and bread!
Today we took a private transfer to Delta Works! We specifically got to see the storm surge barrier (oosterscheldekering), but dams and dykes are also surrounding the Netherlands. The Oosterscheldekering consists of 62 steel gates that remain open until the water level is forecasted to be 3 meters above the Normal Amsterdam Level. The gates…
South Korea [-1]: The Final Reflection
A brief final reflection based on guidelines in the course syllabus: I had a pretty good idea of what to expect going into the South Korea trip in terms of the organization of cultural and professional visits and the assignments that would be due, and my expectations were correct. For this, I have to commend…
Day 4 – Off to the Races
BMW day! I have been looking forward to this day for months, so although the wakeup was early, I knew it would be worth it. We drove to Munich, which ended up being longer than expected because of the morning traffic. The headquarters and museum were so uniquely designed that it was like nothing I’ve…
The People and Not The Place
Now that my time in Morocco is over, I can’t help but look back on it fondly. Yes, we did the site visits, saw amazing companies, walked through the souks, tried incredible food, and learned about entrepreneurship, culture, and business. But when I think about the photo that best represents my time here, it is…