Allison Xu

Allison Xu is a freshman studying Finance and Management. This semester, she will be traveling to the Netherlands as part of the Penn Global Seminar “Comparative Cultures of Resilience and Sustainability in the Netherlands and the United States,” taught by Dr. Simon Richter. She is excited to explore how coastal cities like Rotterdam are adapting to climate change through infrastructure, policy, and urban resilience. Through site visits, expert discussions, and hands-on learning, she hopes to learn about the cultural narratives and local communities that shape climate action plans. On campus, Allison is involved in Wharton Women, Moso Capital, and Wharton Undergraduate Consulting Club, and she is particularly interested in the intersection of business, sustainability, and urban development.  
 
During her upcoming semester, she is particularly looking forward to… 

• Biking through Rotterdam to explore climate-adaptive urban design 
• Visiting the Maeslantkering storm surge barrier to see Dutch flood defense engineering in action 
• Touring the floating neighborhood of Schoonschip in Amsterdam 
• Visiting the Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Museum 
• Meeting climate adaptation experts from both the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, including the former Delta Commissioner 
• Taking a water taxi to Floating Farm and learning about urban agriculture on water 
• Trying authentic local Dutch cuisine with Dr. Richter and classmates