The world is in the grip of a housing crisis of historic proportions. The World Cities Report 2026 (UN-Habitat), launched at the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) earlier in May this year, left us genuinely struck by the scale: 3.4 billion people lack adequate housing, the global deficit grew from 251 to 288 million units between 2010 and 2023, and climate hazards could destroy 167 million more homes by 2040. Yet what moved us equally was seeing, across five days of the forum, the breadth of local solutions from every region of the world, approaches grounded in community, place and governance, yet pointing toward the same conclusion: that this crisis demands systemic change, not just technical fixes. It was against this backdrop that we arrived in Baku not only to witness the debate, but to contribute to shaping it.

Fernando Túlio Franco: Brownfields, Bus Corridors and the Climate–Housing Nexus

I arrived with a dual agenda: a WUF Academy keynote on The Climate-Housing Nexus Dialogue, exploring how decarbonisation and socio-territorial inequalities can be addressed together, and a C40/Arup/Urban Partners panel on brownfield regeneration, Europe’s most underused lever for tackling the housing and climate crises. My presentation drew on the Sarajevo Code design studio and a São Paulo case study, weaving together legal frameworks, social housing policies, participatory governance, and Land Value Capture mechanisms.

Mashael Yazdanie: Urban Energy, Sufficiency and Resilience

I brought an integrated urban energy, sufficiency, and resilience perspective to four WUF13 sessions, with a focus on housing, governance, and citizen participation: a UNDP-hosted dialogue on resilient housing systems; two sessions on citizen participation and disaster preparedness at the NGO Pavilion; and a session on translating global housing commitments into local action at the Azerbaijan Pavilion, co-convened with Tural Aliyev. My research asks a question rarely posed at large forums: how much is enough to live well within ecological limits? In Baku, I opened conversations about the governance and citizen engagement levers needed to make sufficiency a viable urban strategy.

Tural Aliyev: Governing the Housing Crisis Across Scales

I spoke across three panels on citizen participation, disaster preparedness, and cross-scale housing governance. Being in Baku carried a particular resonance: as a Swiss researcher with Azerbaijani origins at ETH Zurich, I embody the bridge between local knowledge and international academic excellence that WUF13 sought to build.

What Comes Next

A further highlight was the Swiss Ambassador reception, bringing together SECO representatives, senior UN officials, and researchers: a vivid example of science–policy–practice in action.

WUF13 is not an endpoint. The Baku Call to Action calls for housing to be reprioritised as a human right, for stronger state stewardship over land and finance, and for the next decade of World Urban Forums to be a decade of action. Bridging academy and city, connecting evidence to policy, designing at the intersection of climate, housing, and society; this is what we bring back from Baku. The work continues.

When people hear “net zero”, they often think of targets far in the future or abstract policy debates. Managing the ETH Net Zero Programme, I experience it quite differently: as a daily, collective effort that touches infrastructure, laboratory work, travel decisions – and, above all, people.

That is why the ETH Net Zero Day has become such an important moment for us. Once a year, it creates space to pause, take stock and make visible what is otherwise spread across projects, departments, and campuses.

ETH Zurich launched the ETH Net Zero Programme in 2024 not as a short‑term reaction to regulation, but as an expression of its responsibility as a public university. The goal is clear: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistently and credibly, with an ambition to strive for net zero emissions across all relevant areas by 2040. This is not a single project, but a long‑term transformation process embedded in governance, infrastructure and everyday decision‑making.

What makes the Net Zero Day special is its diversity. The programme features more than 20 events: from campus tours showcasing state-of-the-art heat pump technology and modernized buildings to workshops on design thinking and sustainability handprints. There are talks, exhibitions, and informal exchange formats, spread across different locations and organised by a wide range of units and individuals.

For me, this diversity reflects the core idea behind the ETH Net Zero Programme: climate protection is not owned by one unit or working group. It emerges where technical solutions, organisational change and individual decisions intersect. The Net Zero Day creates space for exactly these encounters – between students, researchers, technical and administrative staff who all contribute in different ways.

The day is also an invitation to engage, ask questions and connect. Whether you are deeply involved in sustainability topics or simply curious to learn more, there is something to discover – and many opportunities to join the conversation.

If you are interested in seeing what institutional climate action looks like from the inside, I warmly encourage you to take part.

You can explore the programme and register for the events at www.ethz.ch/net-zero-day

I’m looking forward to the exchanges – and hope to see you there!

This year, we are incredibly excited to co-organise the 9th annual Food Day at ETH Zurich. Since its launch in 2016, the event has become a dear tradition, bringing together our diverse community to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: building sustainable food systems.

As part of the World Food System Center (WFSC), we witness daily the breadth and depth of food-system-related research at ETH Zurich and its partner institutions – ranging from agricultural sciences and policy design to food engineering, nutrition, and beyond. Part of our mission at the WFSC is to create connection points that allow this pioneering research to generate real-world impact. Food Day, our flagship event, is one of these important bridges: a day where academic insights move from paper to dialogue.

A Crossroads for Our Planet

We stand at a critical moment. Either we change the way we produce and consume food, or we risk missing the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. That urgency inspired this year’s theme, “Planting Healthier Nutrition,” underscoring the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle this complex challenge.

For Olivia, whose background lies in sustainability consulting and communications, connecting scientific knowledge to a broader understanding feels essential. For Billie, trained in food science and with a professional journey focused on healthy, sustainable diets and plant-based innovation, it’s about making the sustainable choice the easy and delicious one.

Together, we wanted to design an event that goes beyond presentations – a space for interaction and co-creation. We envisioned an atmosphere where an industry representative, a policymaker, a researcher, and a student could all roll up their sleeves and exchange ideas on equal ground.

From Research to Recipe: Highlights of the Day

By leveraging diverse formats – from interactive workshops to insightful plenaries – we aim to ensure the event, centred around food systems research, is both accessible and relevant to the audience’s daily lives. This year’s workshops – exploring planetary health and plant-based diets, nutrition and longevity, sustainable plant protection, and the complexities of the cocoa value chain – filled in no time, a clear sign of the growing appetite for change.

At the heart of the day lies dialogue. Our Networking Lunch, curated and prepared by Daizy, will turn food itself into a catalyst for exchange. Each dish embodies the principles of sustainable gastronomy – proving that what nourishes us can also be good for the planet.

The Plenary Session showcases pioneering research from across our 50 WFSC member professors at ETH Zurich, on the topics of smart farming, future foods, and nutrition. Their work reflects the depth of ETH’s engagement in shaping more sustainable food systems. We’re especially looking forward to the keynote by Prof. Frank Ewert, who will explore how Living Labs can drive collaboration and real-world solutions for resilient future food.

The Poster Networking Session invites participants to meet the scientists behind the research. Over coffee and cake, guests can connect directly with researchers and vote for the best poster. And one of our favourite new additions: the Cook the Science – Food Day Special Edition. We’re joining forces with Professor Thomas Michaels’s lecture series, featuring our member Professor Patrick Rühs and chef Michaela Frank. They will uncover the fascinating science behind the structuring and cooking of plant proteins. This is the kind of story that resonates with a broad audience because it translates complex ETH research into an accessible, universal language: cooking.

Planting the Seeds of Change

From living labs to lab kitchens, this 9^th edition of Food Day celebrates collaboration and exchange, curiosity, and the courage to rethink how we feed the world. For us, organizing Food Day is more than planning an event – it’s about connecting people who care deeply about change.

We can’t wait to see the ideas, partnerships, and inspirations that take root on Wednesday 29 October, at ETH Zurich – and to continue cooking up a sustainable future, together.

Registrations are now open!

Workshops: Find links in the program below.

Plenary Session & Networking Poster Session: Register here.

Cook the Science Food Day Special Edition: Register here.

Ready for a new adventure, we joined the World Food Systems (WFS) Summer School 2025, as its theme, Design Ideas for Sustainable Food Systems by World Food System Center at ETH Zurich, spoke to both of us. We are: Natali, coming from health sciences with knowledge of nutrition but less on how food gets from field to plate; and Maria-Luisa, with a background in hospitality management and at the end of a master’s in sustainability, both eager to explore diverse disciplines and step out of our comfort zones.

Arriving on Sunday, we were greeted by a diversity of backgrounds. On day one, discussions ranged from recycling packaging to sales negotiations, with team-building activities that included dance moves and Play-Doh. Our team from Ethiopia, Brazil, Switzerland and Italy, bonded over building marshmallow towers, defining roles, and favourite snacks like cucumber sprinkled with Aromat.

Throughout the week, inspiring speakers introduced stakeholder mapping, systems thinking, and even an impromptu lentil pancake cooking class. We embraced Zurich’s summer with swims in the Limmat and searching for the best ice cream in town. Field trips evoked childhood school outings: early trains, lunchboxes, and sleepy rides. At Hoflabor near Uster we learned about regenerative farming methods and got our hands dirty weeding celery. Tasting fruits straight from the trees and watching bees and butterflies made us appreciate organic farming anew. At Strickhof, we encountered a “fistulated cow” and learned about cows equipped with “fitness trackers”.

A highlight was the lunch shopping challenge: each team received a family scenario and a budget. Natali’s group had to feed four people on just seven francs, debating every cent; Maria-Luisa’s group, with 120 francs, found it surprisingly hard to spend so much on one meal. Comparing results revealed how resources shape both diet and food experience. Later, at Rathgeb Bio, we marvelled at the large-scale organic vegetable production, and the surprising number of vegetables not conforming with retail specifications.

Week two was all about applying theory to practice. Our challenge: to help Hoflabor share regenerative farming methods. Armed with Post-its, we ideated wild ideas, from mud baths, tractor competitions, and even a farm rave, to inspire more farmers. Most importantly, we learned the value of teamwork, listening, and reflecting on our roles. Creativity thrived when we embraced everyone’s input.

We ended with Michelle Grant’s talk on conflict as a catalyst for change. By then, we had experienced both fun and tensions, and her message reframed conflict as growth. We left with the lesson that while science matters, trust, safe spaces and collaboration are what turn knowledge into impact.

For both of us, the most valuable takeaway was the people: future food researchers, supply chain managers and entrepreneurs, who became our friends. The summer school turned food systems from abstract to living, interconnected realities, and showed us that collaboration is essential for change.

As the summer season is underway, it is the perfect time to slow down, rewind, reflect, and grab the opportunity to read some inspiring stories that showcase how science, innovation, and passion are shaping a better world. At ETH Zurich, sustainability is more than a buzzword, it is a commitment that drives research, education, and action across disciplines.

In this summer reading list, we bring you five interesting stories from the Development & Sustainability section of the ETH Ambassadors Blog. These contributions spotlight how members of the ETH community are engaging with real-world challenges, from climate justice to clean energy, circular construction to future cities and even career reinvention.

Here’s your curated selection of thought-provoking, inspiring and interesting reads for sunny days at your cozy balcony, at the lake, at a beach, or while enjoying the panorama somewhere in the mountains:

1. From “Never Build” to “New Beginnings”

By Dimitri Durst

Can discarded railway tracks become a foundation for sustainable construction? ETH alumnus Dimitri Durst thought so and proved it. This story follows his journey of turning high-quality scrap into an architectural statement of environmental innovation.

Read more…

2. Bridging Climate Justice and Urban Policies

By Dr. Fernando Túlio Salva Rocha Franco

From São Paulo to Berkeley, this reflection reveals how cross-continental research collaborations are addressing climate inequality through data-driven urban solutions. A powerful exploration of the intersection between social justice and climate science.

Read more…

3. CERAWeek 2025: Navigating the Energy Landscape in an Era of Change

By Ayca Duran, Fiona Kriwan, and Giacomo Mastroddi

Three ETH students offer their insights from CERAWeek, the world’s leading energy conference in Houston, Texas. Their report captures how the global energy conversation is shifting in response to climate challenges and technological breakthroughs.

Read more…

4. Envisioning Cities Yet to Come

By Dr. Julio Paulos & Joanna Sleigh

What will the cities of tomorrow look like? As ETH Zurich’s Future Cities Laboratory enters its fourth phase (FCL IV), this piece explores how researchers are imagining and building future-positive urban environments rooted in equity, sustainability, and design innovation.

Read more…

5. Unexpected Journeys: My Path from Flight Attendant to Environmental Scientist

By Bettina Hänny

In this personal and inspiring narrative, Bettina Hänny shares how she transitioned from a career in aviation to environmental science and how ETH Zurich played a transformative role in reshaping her life and professional purpose.

Read more…

Science with Purpose

Each of these stories reflects ETH Zurich’s commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education, research, and global collaboration. Whether you are relaxing by the lake or planning your next academic adventure, let these articles inspire you to think differently about development, sustainability, and the role we each play in building a better future.

To find out more about ETH Zurich’s sustainability work, visit https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/sustainability.html

Happy reading!

Finally Done!

After months of meticulous planning, countless hours of hard work, and overcoming numerous bureaucratic hurdles, our pioneering construction project—built entirely from reused rails— stands proudly completed. Not only does it represent an architectural and environmental milestone, but it also symbolizes that ecological responsibility can align with economic benefit.

But lets start at the Beginning

When ETH MAS Architect Dimitri Durst first explored reusing old railway tracks in architecture, the concept was met with skepticism. Yet Dimitri saw potential where others saw scrap. Driven by the ETH ethos of innovation, he set out to prove that used rails could find new life in sustainable construction. After a one year long feasibility study in 2023, uncertainty transformed into excitement. Dimitri has proven together with Weber+Brönnimann AG that rails—high quality steel designed for heavy loads—are structurally reliable even after their primary use, paving the way for something groundbreaking.

Turning Plans into Reality

With structural doubts resolved, Dimitri faced the next challenge: finding suitable ground to build. Essential partnerships with SBB Resale and the Bahntechnik Center Hägendorf opened doors, providing a perfect site— covering e-car parking spaces. Navigating bureaucracy and patenting Arrangement and details of all innovations along the way proved lengthy but necessary steps, safeguarding his pioneering idea and investments. As Dimitri moved into production, another innovation emerged: using screws instead of welding. The pre-production phase initially seemed unconventional, yet steel constructors found minimal adjustments necessary, highlighting the project’s feasibility. Each step reinforced Dimitri’s conviction: sustainable innovation isn’t merely idealistic—it’s entirely practical.

Rails Up: The Sustainable Construction Begins

Finally, construction day arrived. Starting with a solid yet simple foundation, the reused rails went up swiftly, as straightforward as conventional steel structures, thanks to the innovative
screw method. The structure’s strength became dramatically evident when four large Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels were placed confidently atop the rail frame, demonstrating
strength without additional beams. With final touches like floor cleaning and precise marking of parking spots, the construction site transformed from a challenging experiment into a compelling example of sustainable architecture. Dimitri’s vision—once uncertain—stood firmly, a proud landmark of innovative reuse.

Results That Speak Volumes

With the project complete, results exceeded every expectation:

• Structural excellence: Effortlessly carrying a roof load exceeding 15 tons.
• Durable and robust: Easily handling extreme conditions, including open-field winds of up to 130 km/h.
• Remarkable environmental gains: CO₂ savings of 94% compared to conventional steel constructions.
• Economic advantages: more ecological and cost-efficient than conventional steel construction.
• Material efficiency: Achieved a 2% reduction in overall material usage for the steel construction.
  

These impressive results aren’t merely data—they symbolize a clear message: ecological responsibility can, and indeed should, align seamlessly with economic benefit.

Vision for a Sustainable Future

Dimitri’s first successful structure isn’t an endpoint but rather an exciting beginning. Inspired by his initial success, Dimitri is determined to make reused rails a standard building material. He aims to create systematic applications, working closely with industry partners to generate local value, supporting railway infrastructure financially, and promoting social change by redefining perceptions of “used materials.” This project, though initially tagged “never build,” is now the cornerstone of a larger vision: a world where sustainability isn’t optional but integral to
architectural practice. Dimitri Durst’s story proves that innovative thinking, resilience, and determination can turn even decommissioned rails into valuable resources, setting a compelling example for sustainable construction worldwide.

The understanding that climate change not only exacerbates social inequalities, but is also fueled by them was the central question of my PhD research on America’s largest city: São Paulo. Tackling this pressing issue motivated my desire to strengthen connections between Berkeley’s tradition of integrating climate policy with social science and ETH Zurich’s expertise in data-driven urban studies and design. With this in mind, I began my research visit to UC Berkeley through the IARU Early-Career Collaboration Grant.

During my time there, I was hosted by Professor of Sociology Daniel Cohen, who also serves as the Director of the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaborative (SC²). My interaction with him began in 2021 when I wrote a book review for A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal, of which he is a co-author. Following that, Professor Cohen served as a board member during my thesis defense, which was the topic of the talk I gave there, titled Carbocentric Urbanism: An Ecocapitalist Mirage in Brazilian Segregated Cities.

The presentation highlighted the two main findings of my PhD: one theoretical, stating that carbocentric climate policies, sustained by an eco-capitalism lens, tend to exacerbate socio-territorial injustices. This finding examines their urban forms and tools, including electric and flying cars, green highwayism, green extractivism, green buildings, and issues of climate gentrification and financialization. The other finding is empirical, providing evidence that expanding mobility infrastructure while enhancing overall accessibility and reducing carbon emissions contributes to increased multidimensional inequalities, such as race, income, and early childhood outcomes. I recorded a brief video summarizing my thesis’s key concepts and findings.

Beyond the event, I represented the ETH Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, where I serve as a lecturer and researcher. I participated in meetings to share research projects and prospect future collaborations. I met with Prof. Daniel Rodríguez to discuss transportation and public health projects in Latin America, with Prof. Alison Post regarding climate politics and governance, with Prof. Zoé Hamstead about vulnerabilities to urban weather extremes, with Prof. Mara Loveman on biopolitics and ethnoracial politics, and with lecturer Marisa Raya concerning spatial justice projects in periurban areas of California. Furthermore, I engaged in discussions with two PhD researchers, Flavia Leite and Isabela Montini, with whom I share common agendas. During a long layover in Washington, D.C., I also met with World Bank and IDB Cities LAB representatives. There, we discussed public transportation electrification projects in São Paulo and social housing initiatives globally, respectively.

I return to ETH Zurich with renewed energy to expand networks and frameworks to academically support the development of equitable climate policies in urban areas in Brazil and worldwide.

From Norway, Zurich, and California, three ETH students united in Houston to attend CERAWeek 2025, an energy conference organized by S&P Global. What brought us here? Ayca is pursuing her PhD in architecture, researching the automated integration of building-integrated PV for facades. She utilizes artificial intelligence and is currently deepening her understanding at Stanford, California. Next, Fiona, a master’s student in Energy Science and Technology, focuses on decarbonization pathways and low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and carbon capture. Lastly, Giacomo, an electrical engineer, is deeply involved in building a startup that combines the power of AI forecasting with optimization to improve the control of complex operations.

We all came to Houston with a shared goal: to broaden our horizons and learn from the leaders in the energy industry who gathered to exchange ideas and innovations.

At first, we were incredibly excited but also a bit nervous. After all, we had travelled across the globe to a completely new place, vastly different from our lives in Switzerland and our usual academic bubble. The moment we landed in Houston, we quickly realized just how different this new environment was. The first thing that struck us was the sheer size of the roads – highways with five lanes in each direction, with cars beside us, each one bigger than the last. Curious, we looked up some statistics and discovered that Houston has more cars than the entire country of Switzerland! This led us to our first realization: energy solutions are highly location dependent. While in university, we constantly discussed the electrification of mobility; this topic seemed unimaginable in Houston. Strangely enough, Texas has the largest share of renewable energy generation in the U.S., thanks to its low costs and abundant solar irradiation.

CERAWeek 2025 was overwhelming, yet the moment we stepped into the George R. Brown Convention Center, we knew we were in a truly special place. We found ourselves sitting next to CEOs, senior strategists, engineers, and financiers. At first, we weren’t sure how to approach such high-caliber individuals, but we soon realized that everyone was extremely open and eager to talk – a different networking culture from what we’re used to in Switzerland.

Our days were quickly filled with engaging conversations. We spoke with oil executives, startup founders, and many others, realizing that there are no simple solutions. In fact, the energy trilemma – balancing affordability, reliability, and sustainability – seemed to underpin nearly every discussion. But what stood out was the empowering mindset: rather than focusing on problems, people were actively identifying opportunities.

It became clear that the energy landscape is evolving rapidly. Everyone seemed aware that it’s time to move beyond outdated models and fully embrace innovation – evidenced by the presence of over 400 startups presenting groundbreaking ideas. We learned about AI for energy and energy for AI, how the focus is shifting toward energy security in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions, and how the U.S. is asserting its position in the global energy sector.

One particularly interesting takeaway was that, despite political narratives we often hear in Europe about the current U.S. administration’s climate priorities, the energy landscape is actually moving forward through market-driven innovation. Many leading AI companies – whose data centers demand enormous amounts of energy – are actively investing in sustainable solutions regardless of political agenda. Nuclear power and carbon capture have emerged as key technologies in this transition, while solar and wind continue to maintain strong momentum. This reinforces what we observed throughout the conference: market forces, rather than politics alone, are guiding energy choices, with renewable energy technologies remaining cost-effective components in a diversified portfolio.

We also learned that the previous administration significantly invested in and subsidized renewable energy sources. However, oil production still reached record highs, showing that we need to do more to achieve net-zero goals. Many major oil and gas companies are now investing heavily in alternative energy and low carbon technologies, and to create meaningful change, it’s important to work collaboratively with these companies rather than against them, as they continue to provide the essential resources our society depends on.

Lastly, CERAWeek offered more than just learning, networking, and exchanging ideas with remarkable people. It also provided valuable time for us to come together, develop strategies for new opportunities, and explore the city. We had the wonderful experience of visiting the NASA Space Center, attending an NBA game, and enjoying the rodeo—all activities we would highly recommend.

Our minds are wired to think about the future, a process known as prospection. Whether consciously or not, our reasoning is shaped by the interplay of memories and future anticipations. As futurist Alvin Toffler said, “We must adapt to a world that is constantly changing, where the past is no longer a reliable guide to the future, and the time span for decision-making shrinks with each passing day.” This challenge rings particularly true for urban planners and researchers whose work carries the weight of long-term consequences. What will our cities become?

The Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) has explored such questions for 15 years. On January 14th, a consortium of its leaders came together for a landmark event to launch the new program (FCL IV) and invite project proposals. The gathering coincides with FCL’s 15th anniversary, underscoring the program’s enduring commitment to shaping urban futures.

The event took place at the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC), ETH Zurich’s pioneering hub outside Switzerland, and FCL’s home base since 2010. While a Zurich hub was established in 2020 to expand the program’s reach, SEC remains a cornerstone of FCL’s operations and vision.

The theme of this FCL IV launch event and its call for projects —“Transitioning to Future-Positive Cities”—embodies the program’s goal: to envision and shape urban futures driven by optimism and proactive solutions. As the organisers reflected on the contours of this next phase, a striking observation emerged: much of today’s engineering and STEM-driven urban research is inherently reactive. Terms like “regeneration,” “decarbonisation,” “rejuvenation,” “repair,” and “recycling” dominate the discourse, underscoring a focus on mitigating past damage rather than imagining new possibilities. Prefixes like “de-” and “re-” convey a sense of undoing rather than creating.

From a broader, more humanistic perspective, cities are often framed within the ominous narrative of the Anthropocene—an era defined by humanity’s destructive impact on the planet. While this lens highlights urgent challenges, it can also perpetuate a doomsday mentality that stifles visionary thinking and action. The FCL IV program seeks to shift this paradigm by embracing a positive attitude, mindset, and research approach. Instead of viewing cities as wicked problems to fix, the program aims to position them as platforms for innovation, resilience, and human flourishing.

The time has now come to reimagine urban futures. FCL invites proposals for the new program (FCL IV), seeking to challenge the status quo and inspire actionable strategies for building vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures. By looking into the proverbial glass ball, the hope is to reimagine urbanisation not as a source of despair but as a wellspring of opportunity.

With its 15th anniversary on the horizon, FCL is poised to redefine how we think about cities—not just as they are, but as they could be.

The journey toward future-positive urbanism has begun.

There is always something fascinating in the idea of living abroad. It all starts with the fear of not fitting in, mixed with the excitement of embarking in a new journey not knowing where it will take you. But most of the time, it ends with the feeling that the time was not enough.

I chose to pursue my master thesis in Singapore, at the Singapore ETH Centre (SEC), for 6 months. My name is Giuseppe Nappi, and I am an Italian master student from the Master in Energy Science and Technologies (MEST). The idea of living in Singapore fascinated me since the beginning, being an innovation-driven city, especially in the context of energy; however, I knew I was about to start a journey in a cultural context completely unfamiliar to me, and I was afraid to make mistakes.

What should I expect to eat? Should I approach people or they will approach me? Am I too invasive? How can I withstand the hot weather? These were few of the many questions that I had in mind before leaving. Only the time made me understand that there was no reason to be worried. That one of the best experiences of my life was about to start.

Sure, the first couple of weeks the cultural shock did not delay to arrive. Sometimes I was ordering food not knowing what I was about to eat; sometimes I was looking for something familiar, but that was the wrong attitude. So I started asking people what I should try and where I should go, and curiosity is what everybody appreciated. It is when I stopped acting like a tourist that I stopped feeling as one, and became part of a fascinating society (even though, I must say, I never got used to the spicy food!).

People take more time to gain trust when the mentality is different. It was important for me to understand how I could avoid making mistakes with my behavior, that people might have misinterpreted. Bonding with one of my flatmates gave me a huge help on that, when she understood that I was not trying to count down the days until I would go back to Zurich, that I was not just passing by, but I was there to create long-lasting memories and relationships with people. And at some point, as the last days were approaching, the nostalgia of going home that I was initially feeling turned into a craving for more time, since all the wonderful experiences and memories made during the 6 months made me demand for more.

And of course, being in the heart of South-East Asia, I could not lose the opportunity to visit some of the best sceneries in the world. From Philippines and Indonesia, to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, between the happy smiles of people living a simple life, cultures and histories that are hundreds years old, talking with every stranger I could meet. That’s where I realized how wonderful this experience was, because it is from the unknown that we learn, from the difficulties that we grow, and in the diversity that we appreciate the beauty of the world.