Penn Abroad Ambassador Skyla Rimple

Program:

• PGS: Comparative Cultures of Resilience and Sustainability in the Netherlands and the United States

Ask me about...

• Leaping into new experiences on your own and maintaining a positive attitude

• Being the only one from your class/grade on the abroad trip

• Building lasting relationships

My Experience Abroad:

There was not a single experience we had on this trip that did not align with the coursework and goals of the PGS. When applying for the seminar, I reflected on my passion for sustainability. I come from a small beach town in Massachusetts where I spend a great deal of time leading social change in the city of Boston. Throughout the course, I learned about Boston, along with Eastwick; a neighborhood in Philadelphia facing extreme climate change threats. It felt as though we talked about Eastwick every day on the trip, as we were frequently engaging in and presenting in discussions about the community and best practices.

Not every moment of the trip was academic, but it was all relevant to my field of study. As a prospective urban studies major, I am deeply fascinated with maps, sustainability, planning, community building, comparative international practices, and more. The music, arts, transportation, demographics, historical preservation, architecture, land use strategies, and personal interactions all contributed to my academic experience. I view it all as post-it notes put into my portfolio of understanding cities, and the world at large.

Other Highlights:

• Bike riding in various cities and the countryside

• Visiting the Van Gogh and Anne Frank museums 

• Engaging in live music of the Netherlands