Today was a really well-rounded day filled with art, reflection, and great conversations. We started off at Kunsthalle Praha, a non-profit, temporary art museum focused on preserving and showcasing Czech heritage. What I appreciated most was that it’s not just about displaying art, it’s also about making it accessible to the public. As we toured the building, we got to learn about the logistics behind running such a large gallery, especially the specific conditions required to store and protect delicate artwork.
One thing that really caught my attention was how heavily the building relies on air conditioning. While it’s necessary to maintain the proper climate for the art, it also contributes significantly to the building’s carbon footprint. I found it especially interesting that they can’t install solar panels to offset this because all rooftops in Old Town Prague have to look the same to preserve the city’s historic aesthetic. That balance between tradition and sustainability was something I hadn’t thought about before.
Later in the evening, we had a Pitt alumni mixer, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. We met alumni from the MBA program who now work at major companies here in Prague. I got to talk to several of them about their careers and how different types of engineering come into play in their work. It was also fun to hear about their time at Pitt and share a few laughs. The whole experience helped me feel more confident in my networking skills, and it was inspiring to see where a Pitt education can take you.
Swanson School of Engineering 