Final Program Reflections 

General Reflection (to be completed by everyone)

• Make a list of the 5 most valuable skills you gained while studying abroad. For each skill, provide a specific example from your study abroad experience. 

  1. Stress Management- we were in close quarters with a large group of people 

  2. Problem Solving- there were issues while being in different countries we had to address without reliance on English (France, Germany) 

  3. Critical Thinking- critical thinking skills were developed while traveling through transit (maps, airports, buses, etc.) 

  4. Confidence- I developed a found confidence of myself and my abilities through application of the other skills 

  5. Organization/Planning- I was able to organize our group and keep us on track for "Eat" and was nominated for this role by the other members. 

• How does it feel to be back?  Set a timer for 2 minutes and list as many words as you can in that time.

Being back in America feels odd because my sleep and eat schedules are out of synch. I feel as though I have gained a new perspective of America from the  aspects of the county I have missed. I missed my friends and the familiarity of my surroundings after being in UK and Germany for a month. I missed the restaurants and the ability to get in my car and go where I desire. London was my favorite city to explore and I would visit again. The transit in this country was reliable, but I found Germany's transit system to be intertwined and confusing. 

• Name three things that you miss most about your England and/or Germany.  What can you do to stay connected to the things you listed?

1. London's transit system; I can stay connected by remembering the experience of the air rushing by when the trains would come 

2. London's night life; I can stay connected by cherishing the memories I made with the people I met 

3. Germany's pretzels; I can stay connected by remembering our pretzel making class, and cherishing the authentic cuisine 

Design Thinking Reflection (complete if in Jamie's class)

• Using specifics from class and/or personal observations from Harlaxton, London and Munich, briefly explain how Design Thinking can contribute to identifying and/or addressing issues of sustainability.

Design Thinking can contribute to identifying and/or addressing issues of sustainability by working through the Five-Step Process (Discover, Define, Ideate, Test, Evolve) to address environmental issues. For example, in class we utilized the Five-Step Process to address increasing compost use. The personal observations I have identified from Harlaxton, London, and Munich include increasing transit in American cities, enacting more sustainable practices for food production, and decreasing reliance on cars to get from one place to another. These issues can be addressed by utilizing the Five-Step Process and arriving at potential solutions which can be enacted in America. 

• Using specifics from class and/or personal observations, identify and discuss 2-3 innovations which could be reused, applied, or developed to improve sustainability in the US. Include photos or sketches if possible. Innovations might include products (MAKE), transportation (GO), food (EAT), or infrastructure (LIVE) that could be re-designed, reduced, or reused to eliminate waste or improve performance. 

1. A transit system in U.S. cities similar to the tube with unique branding and embracing of the public system. (transportation (GO))

2. A more humane way of treating our livestock and embarcing the connection of farmer to consumer. (food (EAT))