Spring 2025

Experiencing the “Strange Tools” both in-class and in Amsterdam was an amazing experience I wish to definitely try again. As someone who has never travelled to Europe before, I was in awe of the culture that was both different yet intriguing than what I was used to. The tour explored how unconventional tools, which were labelled as strange or useless, have historically reshaped and further innovated societies. Through museum visits, group discussions, and time spent in the city, I began to see “strangeness” not as a flaw, but as a powerful force for innovation.
What impacted me most, though, was the cultural immersion: trying unfamiliar foods, adapting to a new public transit system, and engaging with Dutch history and design. A spontaneous trip to Zaanse Schans gave me space to reflect on how much learning happens outside the classroom, fueled simply by observation of the world around you.
This experience helped me refine my definition of a Global Citizen Scholar. It’s about more than academic curiosity; it’s about openness to discomfort, empathy across cultural lines, and valuing diverse ways of thinking. I returned with a more layered view of the world and a stronger desire to approach my education in a way that’s globally conscious, reflective, and interdisciplinary.