One aspect of German culture that I’ve found particularly challenging to assimilate into is the country’s strong emphasis on structure, punctuality, and adherence to rules. At Vencon Research, time management is taken very seriously: meetings begin and end exactly on the hour, lunch breaks occur at precisely 1:00 PM, and everyone arrives exactly when they…
Category: Internship
Week 1: Settling into Berlin
Arriving in Berlin has been both exciting and eye-opening. One of the first things I noticed is how seamlessly English is integrated into daily life. Even when someone humbly begins with, “My English isn’t very good,” they often go on to provide a detailed explanation of directions or recommendations that far exceeds expectations. It has…
Pre-Departure: Bama to Berlin
Hi! My name is Tracy, and I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. I am originally from Mobile, Alabama, and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double degree in Psychology and Global Management as well as the Frederick Honors College Joint Degree along with a certificate in the…
Lessons in Sustainability: Beyond the Classroom Walls
As this program wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons that shaped me the most—and interestingly, they didn’t come from textbooks or lectures. They came from the places we visited, the people we met, and the stories we listened to along the way. This experience taught me that sustainability is far more complex—and more…
My “Wow” Moment in Amsterdam: A Wake-Up Call in the Heart of the City
When I first arrived in Amsterdam, it felt like stepping into a postcard. I had spent weeks looking at photos online, watching videos, and imagining what it would feel like to finally be there—but nothing could prepare me for the moment I stepped off the metro at Central Station. The air felt crisp, the architecture…
My Journey to the Netherlands: Embracing Growth Through New Experiences
Hello! My name is Emily Angelo, and I’m about to embark on a journey that feels both exciting and a little daunting. This summer, I’ll be traveling to the Netherlands – my first time flying and my first experience outside the United States! As someone who has never traveled internationally, this adventure is both thrilling…
Reflecting on My Internship at the Allegheny Conference
Hello! My name is Andrew Pruden, and I am a third-year student at Pitt pursuing a double major in political science and computational social science, as well as a minor Spanish. I am also a gracious recipient of the 2023-24 William J. Keefe Congressional Fellowship Award. This summer, I had the phenomenal opportunity to work…
Illuminating Cyber-Informed Engineering: SHURE-Grid 2024
Hi everyone! My name is James Ross and I am a rising senior in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences studying History and Political Science while pursuing a certificate in Public and Professional Writing. As of now, I plan to pursue graduate study in Public Policy and International Affairs. In addition, I am a…
Reflecting on My Internship in the United States Senate
Hello! My name is Jaydep Halder and I am a recipient of the 2023 William J. Keefe Congressional Fellowship Award. I am originally from Jefferson City, Missouri and will be entering my Junior year at the University of Pittsburgh this fall. By pursuing majors in Microbiology and Sociology, a minor in Economics, and a certificate…
Sports in Sydney
Hey again, it’s been a while! I’ve been in Sydney for two weeks now, which seems crazy because it’s only felt like a couple days. We’ve been lucky to get beautiful weather even though it is mid-winter here in Australia. Good weather means that hiking and exploring is a must! So far I’ve hiked to…