As the summer draws to a close, we bring you five stories from the Connecting & Exploring section of the ETH Ambassadors Blog. Together, they show how the ETH Zurich community, including students, staff and researchers, extends far beyond campus. From Singapore to New York, Houston to Tokyo, these stories explore how international experiences broaden horizons, spark new ideas, forge lasting connections and open doors to unexpected opportunities around the world.

Here’s your curated selection of inspiring reads illustrating that ETH truly has a global reach. Happy reading!

1. Finding My Way to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

By Chloé Pilloud

What happens when you choose the road less travelled? 

Chloé Pilloud’s journey to Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is a story of curiosity, resilience and finding confidence in unfamiliar surroundings, proving that some of the most rewarding paths are the ones you create yourself.

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2. CERAWeek 2026: Shaping the Energy Future during a Global Energy Crisis

By Benedikt Buhk, Florian Mozina and Vivian Chen

Can the energy transition stay on track when the world is focused on energy security? 

Three ETH students travelled to CERAWeek, the world’s largest energy conference, to explore how industry, policy and academia are responding to a global energy crisis, and why academic voices remain essential in shaping a sustainable energy future.

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3. From Seeds to Success: Being ETH’s Gardener at the ENHANCE Alliance

By Philipp Bieri

How do international university partnerships grow from ambitious ideas into lasting impact? 

This story takes readers inside ETH Zurich’s role in the ENHANCE Alliance, showing how collaboration, student mobility and shared innovation are helping cultivate a more connected European higher education landscape.

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4. Global Young Scientists Summit 2026: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

By Lucas Gobatti, Tatiana Akhmetshina, Kostiantyn Sakhatskyi, Mitchell Taylor, Eliane Ballmer, Jan Meissner

What happens when the next generation of scientists meets the people who have changed the world? 

At the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore, six ETH researchers exchanged ideas with Nobel laureates and leading innovators, returning with fresh inspiration, new connections and a renewed sense of purpose in their own scientific journeys.

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5. At the Other End of the World: from ETH to New York

By Defne Çetinkaya and Michelle Reinschmidt

Can a student project spark conversations far beyond the classroom? 

Two ETH architecture students travelled to New York to present their work alongside Professor Mariam Issoufou, discovering how ideas developed at ETH can inspire dialogue on architecture, culture and the futures we choose to imagine.

Read more…

Sharing Your ETH Stories

Do you have a story to tell about your role as an ETH Ambassador at home or abroad? Contact the editorial team with your idea: https://ethambassadors.ethz.ch/submit/

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!