Friday, January 16, 2015

Kristen Faulkner '16
Ricardo Moreira Lisboa 4th year
We just visited the water treatment plant that purifies sewage water for industrial use. One thing that stood out from the visit is how much political lobbying affects engineering projects in Brazil. Politicians often have a different agenda from industry, and the government has the power to put its priorities first. Despite the imperfect political scene, it is nice to see water being reused and sustainable projects underway. Brazil is certainly making progress in becoming a sustainable country.
One thing I am very pleased with is how well the Brazil students and Harvard students get along. Every night we hang out and play games, laugh, drink, and discuss intellectual issues that affect all of us. The people on this trip are intelligent, friendly, and highly curious, which leads to a wonderful group dynamic. Word on the street is that we are the most inquisitive group in a few years. We are learning so much, and we are so pleased that we chose to participate in this trip. Wooh!