Hello! My name is Bryce, and I am a rising sophomore bioengineering major going on Plus 3 to The Netherlands. Personally, I have never gone abroad before, so I am excited to grow and expand my horizons both personally and professionally.

Although I anticipate experiencing some homesickness and culture shock, I anticipate plenty of growth to accompany it. I am excited to see the application of sustainability in The Netherlands as it permeates many aspects of daily life there. From transportation and agriculture to energy and infrastructure, sustainability is a forefront focus. I hope to apply what I learn regarding sustainability to my coursework and research at Pitt and potentially even future work.

I also am excited to learn and collaborate with diverse perspectives and TU Delft and participate in a climate workshop there. I anticipate learning about sustainability and building my network. Moreover, speaking with researchers at Nouryon, alumni at the alumni dinner, and similar experts in their fields will help grow my network and understanding of Dutch culture and sustainability.

While I pride myself on adaptability, I believe this trip will further hone this skill as I will have to navigate a country where the primary language is not one I speak.

All things considered, I see this trip as an opportunity to broaden my perspective, expand my network, and learn.