For me, this is a different trip than those that I have been used to, as I have not done an engineering-centered study abroad before. Even before the start of the trip, I feel that I have learned a lot about what to look for on this trip, and I’ve also been able to gain an understanding of what we will see. At the pre-departure meetings, I have learned about the Itaipu dam and the Paraná River. I was also able to gain a basic understanding of the science behind various forms of sustainable energy, such as hydropower, solar power, and wind power. We were also shown how the dam works and how it is able to use water in order to generate electricity.
This trip also serves another purpose for me as I am pursuing a minor in Portuguese and a certificate in Latin American Studies. Being able to go back to Brazil will hopefully allow me to keep improving my Portuguese and learn more about the different cultures of Latin America. I am looking forward to seeing the differences between Rio de Janeiro, where I went last summer, and Porto Alegre, where this trip will be happening. I expect to find differences in food as well as accents and dialects, but am excited to see if there are others that I have not yet thought of.
Swanson School of Engineering 