Swanson School of Engineering

After visiting Terezin, my understanding of Czech resilience deepened significantly. Walking through the small fortress and learning about its use as a concentration camp, I was struck by the unimaginable suffering endured by Jewish prisoners. Our guide shared stories that revealed not only the horrors but also the incredible strength people showed in supporting one another and preserving their dignity in the face of inhuman conditions. The visit to the Jewish Ghetto Museum was particularly impactful—watching the Nazi propaganda video created to deceive the Red Cross highlighted the cruel contrast between perception and reality. Despite the severe oppression, people at Terezin continued to create, educate, and support each other. That resilience left a lasting impression on me. Later in the day, we attended a Maker Fair, where I was inspired by the creativity and passion of students, engineers, and hobbyists alike. One of the most memorable moments was seeing the student-built racing car from their version of the SAE program, which reminded me of the Panther Racing team back at Pitt. It was amazing to see how much pride and care people put into their engineering projects—from robotics to electronics—and it made me excited about the potential of collaborative innovation. This reminded me that resilience isn’t just about surviving hard times; it’s also about continuing to build, create, and inspire, even in the face of past tragedy.