Hi everyone! My name is Sadie Mahan and I am a junior here at Pitt studying Urban Studies with a minor in Studio Arts and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. I am in the Frederick Honors College and I participate in multiple clubs here on campus, including being the Art Editor for Collision Literary Magazine and a member of Urban Planning club. Outside of school, I love to spend time with my friends, see live music, work on my photography, go thrifting, and more. This May, I will be taking the trip of a lifetime to study urban sustainability in Amsterdam. 

This winter, when deciding what to do with my last college summer, I knew that I wanted to study abroad. Upon looking at the various programs offered, I was immediately drawn to Pitt in Amsterdam. I have always known Amsterdam as a place of innovation, sustainability, and remarkable urban planning, so when I saw I had the opportunity to study there, I knew I had to. The city is known for its water management systems, green infrastructure, cycling, and deep care for its residents. As someone who loves cities and has interests in their environmental impacts, this program was the perfect fit. 

As I am about to leave, the nerves are finally kicking in. This will be my first time traveling overseas, and the thought of doing it alone is intimidating. There is no doubt that this experience will take me outside of my comfort zone. During my four weeks in the Netherlands, I hope to not only learn more about the city’s function, but to learn more about the people that call it home. I hope to interact with locals as much as possible and to develop meaningful connections with them. Learning how the city directly impacts its people will be immensely important. I also hope to form friendships with my fellow peers from Pitt embarking on the same journey. 

I can’t wait to keep you all posted and to update you on my travels. See you soon!