Hello! My name is Ella Clayton. I am an Environmental Science major, and I just completed my sophomore year! I also plan to complete a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and a certificate in Sustainability. I also love listening to music, creating art, and just being outside! This May, I am studying urban sustainability with the University of Amsterdam through Pitt in Amsterdam!
I am incredibly excited to learn about sustainability through the lens of cities while on this trip through taking Sustainable Cities I and Sustainable Cities II. Amsterdam is a global leader in sustainable practices, making this location perfect for this learning experience. I have always loved the outdoors, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve become interested in making sure this planet’s beauty and ability to provide for humanity is preserved for generations to come.
Sustainable development is a complicated concept that requires both scientific and cultural understanding to be successful. This experience in Amsterdam will provide me with increased scholarly knowledge about the subject, along with exposure to numerous different cultures in the diverse community that Amsterdam is known for. I firmly believe that physically traveling to new locations to experience them firsthand is the best way to grow, both as a student and as a person, and will positively affect my worldview.
I look forward to sharing about the wonderful experiences I will have and the invaluable lessons I will learn!