Merideth Oister, Electrical Engineering
For the second week in Brazil, we spent time in Foz do Iguaçu, home to the Itaipu Dam and the Iguazu Falls. Seeing the Iguazu Falls was my favorite part of the entire trip. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The hike through the park was filled with gorgeous scenery, at every turn we could see more and more of the falls. Eventually, we reached the center of it all, surrounded by massive waterfalls and countless rainbows. It was an unforgettable experience.
After visiting the falls, we went to Parque Das Aves, this is an institution dedicated to the conservation of Atlantic Forest species and the rehabilitation of rescued animals. We were able to see many different species of birds and reptiles. Some of the birds included flamingos, macaws, parrots, and my personal favorite, toucans. One of the most unique parts of the experience was being able to walk through the aviaries with many of the birds, with each enclosure organized by region or species. In the reptile exhibit, we saw an anaconda, iguanas, and several species of turtles. The park also featured a butterfly garden, where fruit was placed out so we could watch the butterflies feed, as well as a hummingbird garden with bottles of sugar water hanging throughout to attract the hummingbirds.
Our next day in Foz was spent visiting the Itaipu Dam, which produces power for millions of people throughout Paraguay and Brazil. This visit was equally impressive because we were able to see each step of the energy production process. We began with a safety briefing where we received hard hats and learned about the expectations and procedures for the tour. Afterward, we boarded a bus that took us to the dam. Along the way, we stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the Paraná River, whose river eventually flows through turbines in the dam to generate electricity. During the drive, we also saw capybaras, the largest rodents in the world!
Upon arriving at the dam, we were able to go inside and see the massive turbines that convert the force of the water into electrical power. We also saw the control room, which lies directly on the border of Paraguay and Brazil. The room is always staffed with five operators: two from Paraguay, two from Brazil, and one lead operator that alternates between the two countries each shift. These measures are in place to ensure fairness and cooperation in the management of the dam.
Overall, my time in Foz do Iguaçu was one of the best experiences I have had. From experiencing the natural beauty of the Iguazu Falls to learning about their wildlife conservation measures and seeing the engineering behind the largest renewable energy production plant in the world. Every experience we had was extremely exciting and educational. This part of the trip gave me such an appreciation for Brazil’s natural beauty and their sustainability efforts. This was truly an unforgettable experience and of course we met more furry friends, the park is home to the South American Coati, a part of the raccoon family.
Swanson School of Engineering 