Throughout my experience in the Netherlands, I learned many lessons that I know will stay with me long after Plus3 ends. One aspect that stood out to me was the mindset of the Netherlands as a country. Whether it was a floating farm, TU Delft’s Green Village, or biking infrastructure, sustainable practices were a part of everyday life. This is in stark contrast to the United State’s perspective on sustainability where it often seems like sustainability is an afterthought. I hope to take this mindset back with me to Pitt and integrate it into my engineering projects.
I also improved my adaptability. Through navigating foreign cities, figuring out public transportation in a language that I can not read, and communicating at a restaurant where we did not share a language, I was forced to become comfortable with exploring the unfamiliar. These experiences helped me hone my adaptability which will aid me in future research, internships, and professional situations.
Speaking to alumni and professionals in the Netherlands reminded me of the importance of learning from others with different experiences and perspectives. Although I have also valued this, I plan to make an even stronger effort back in the United States to learn from others in a collaborative manner.
In summary, I plan to make a stronger effort to implement sustainability in my engineering work, keep an open mind when facing new challenges, and invite different perspectives into collaborative discussions.