We started our day today with a lecture about wind power, and how wind turbines are designed. We learned the physics behind turbines, and how they are optimized to have the most energy collected while minimizing strain on the blades. This was a very interesting lecture, especially since right afterwards we went to a wind…
Tag: · Summer 2026
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…
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…
Day 1: Traveling and Tours
Today, day one of our trip was very long. After a 20-hour travel day, we got to Amsterdam and hit the ground running. First was navigating the underground subway in order to get to the canal tour, where we got a good look at the city from a different perspective. Our tour guide talked a…
Day 4: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Birthday in Germany.
This Tuesday was my birthday! Before departing for Germany I was so bummed that I wasn’t going to get to spend my birthday with my friends from home but, after the trip got into motion, I was so happy I got to spend this big day in Germany. I got to see BMW headquarters and…
Day 5: Nursing Skills Lab
This cold weather has turned this honorary Brummy into a popsicle. The cold weather is actually quite pleasant, but the wind at 15mph has made me shiver for the past two days. Our brisk walks have turned from a lovely stroll to walking through the freezer isle of a grocery store. It makes me laugh…
Catching a Dutch Breeze
After a string of great days this past week, I think day five may have topped them all. Following a quick morning tour around Twente, we boarded a bus and headed out for what were, in my opinion, the two most interesting experiences of the trip so far. After a lengthy ride, we received a…
From Canals to Campus
Our fourth day here has, in many ways, been the most eye-opening so far. We woke up early this morning to leave Amsterdam and arrived at the University of Twente in Enschede a little after 10 a.m. Although I was sad to be leaving Amsterdam, I was excited to see what university life is like…
Heavy Reflections: Anne Frank House
Day three of our trip threw us deep into the history of the Netherlands. Our morning began in the village of Zaanse Schans, where we explored traditional Dutch windmills, clogs, and cheese-making practices that date back centuries. In contrast, the afternoon brought us to a far heavier chapter of history as we visited the Anne…
Day 2: Guten Tag Augsburg!
Landing in Munich, the airport felt familiar in the way most international airports do, organized yet busy, and not quite what distinguishes a country from another. Customs took longer than expected. The EU’s new Entry/Exit System, which fully rolled out in April, now requires all non-EU travelers to submit fingerprints and a facial scan at the border, claiming to replace the old passport…
Day 2: Living on the WATER-EDGE
Day 2 was a very busy day for us; we visited a tulip farm, a community of floating houses, and a company called EDGE. EDGE is a building firm focused on making some of the most sustainable buildings. They prioritize sustainability, low CO2 emissions, getting people into the office, and building a lasting impact. They…
Day 7: San Sebastian and Zumaia
This morning, we had a nice late wake-up so that we could sleep in after our long week. We met for breakfast around 9:20, and at 9:40 we all met in the lobby to get on the bus. I was still extremely tired, so on our one-hour bus ride to San Sebastian, I took a…
I’m starting to miss Athens already!
These past couple of days have been some of the most memory filled moments of this trip. After our back to back company visits with Tototheo and ACS informing us of all of the various aspects that supply chain in different areas had to offer, having the opportunity to celebrate the engagement in Greek culture…
Day 6!
This morning we started out the day with a visit to Hospital Basturto. We began our visit with a few presentations from various nurses and an engineer. The nurses discussed their education pathway and how nurses in Spain can specialize in different areas of patient care. Additionally, we listened to a presentation by another nurse…
Making Waves in Sustainability
Today marked our second full day in the Netherlands. Our group tours today were much slower than those back in the center of Amsterdam; a change of pace that I greatly appreciated. This morning, we traveled outside the city to visit a family-owned tulip farm. From the moment we arrive d, we were greeted with…
Jean-ius Alternatives
Today was our group’s first full day in the Netherlands. While we are all still adjusting to the time difference, we are also learning how to adjust to one another as a group. We began the day exploring the city of Amsterdam through a scavenger hunt, which gave us the chance to experience the city…
Clean clothes
Day 3 May 4th Today began with an engaging and informative scavenger hunt. The first clue focused on the city’s central train station and elements of its personal and historical significance. Although we needed to research some of the answers, exploring the surrounding area led us to discover a nearby mall, which added an unexpected…
Roots Without Routes
Hi, my name is Niko, and I am a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in the business school. I’m undeclared right now, but I plan to double-major eventually. Out of class, I’m an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where I’ve already grown a lot in a short period of time. Also, I…
Adventure Awaits in the Netherlands!
Hello, My name is Maddox Cohen and I am a first year engineering student from West Chester PA! I am majoring in Bioengineering and looking to earn a certificate in Sustainability. I chose engineering because I am passionate about finding sustainable solutions that address both human needs and environmental challenges. Bioengineering stood out to me…
In Apollo’s Chariot, Here I Come
Good Morning, My name is Maxwell Hrbek, I am a Bioengineering student within the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, and a little-known fact about me is that I am going to Greece this May. Originally from Greensburg, PA, I have always been engrossed in the Pittsburgh culture, so I believe the…