During my time at Pitt I have been fortunate enough to partake in three study abroad experiences. Each was remarkable in its own way, marked by unique architecture, culture, and cuisine. Despite these differences, however, the people have consistently emerged as my favorite part of traveling. Chile, of course, was no exception.
The morning of our first full day in Santiago was jam packed with countless new faces and even more excitement. We dove head first into networking sessions with students from Austria, Brasil, Chile, Germany, and the United States. Conversations that began merely as an obligatory exchange of names and majors evolved into discussion of the most pressing sustainability related issues in Chile and how we might attempt to address them. We quickly found ourselves sorted into a group of eight, all united under the goal of investigating our chosen topic of circular reuse in local communities. My team members, Amy, Ani, Ghazaleh, Jana, Paula, Tomás, Vitória — people whom I likely never would have crossed paths with outside of this program — quickly became genuine friends. Over the course of just a week I formed valuable connections, affording me the opportunity to learn more about myself and the world around me. Our team’s wide array of majors, including marketing, translation studies, and four different engineering disciplines, unlocked new perspectives and challenged me to approach problems in ways I had never previously considered. Each individual offered a unique perspective and skillset that allowed us to work together effectively and ultimately place third overall in the final design competition.
Despite this success, our design process was certainly not without its challenges. We encountered communication barriers, concept disagreements, and even reworked our entire innovation less than 24 hours prior to giving our final pitch. Throughout the chaos of it all, we also found time to learn about each other’s lives and connect on a personal level. We used group lunches as an opportunity to discuss everything from prevalent issues in our home countries to popular dance moves and our favorite homemade dishes. In the evenings, the students from Chile showed us around town, offering suggestions for their go-to completo spots or where to get the best view of Santiago’s wide-reaching landscape.
Moving the Cities was much more than another stamp on the passport or check off the bucket list. It was a beautiful exchange of culture and respectful, inquisitive discourse. I am beyond grateful for the people and perspectives I was fortunate enough to come across in Santiago, and am patiently awaiting my next journey to Chile.
Swanson School of Engineering 