Dan Burleson, Alex Landon and undergraduate students in the Netherlands.

Textbooks and college lectures are the building blocks to earning our degree, however, there is absolutely no better way to learn than by using a hands-on approach. Taking the classroom beyond the classroom walls and getting your hands dirty is an opportunity that you shouldn't let slip by.

Cullen College of Engineering professors Dan Burleson and Alex Landon spearheaded a faculty-led, study abroad program in the Netherlands for Summer 2023. For 10 days, 20 undergraduate students had the opportunity to learn about coastal resilience and urban infrastructure in the Netherlands, a global leader in flood mitigation innovations.

Coastal resilience is a community’s ability to recover from catastrophic weather and climate-related events. About 26 percent of the country is below sea level, making it crucial to have strategic and effective methods in place to keep the country from flooding. Additionally, they maximize the potential of their urban infrastructure by strategically designing them to become part of their coastal resilience strategies.

The Netherlands is at the forefront of innovations in coastal resilience, and the study abroad program offered the opportunity to learn about the subject firsthand from the engineers and industry leaders themselves.

For biomedical student Adrianna Taing, earning course credit abroad was a meaningful experience she will never forget.

“Taking opportunities to continue enriching yourself is one of the most valuable things that you can do,” she said.

Dan Burleson, Alex Landon and students adventuring through the Netherlands.

Through this trip, the students were exposed to coastal resilience in a unique and engaging hands-on approach. The trip itinerary included visits to Shell and Fluor’s corporate offices and the Erasmus Bridge. They also visited governmental entities like the Delta Works, which is a collection of locks, dams and storm surge barriers; and the Water Authority (Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland) that oversees the country’s water safety and systems.

“They are the people who are in charge of water cleanliness and think broadly about how the flooding might impact [them],” Taing said.

Her most notable visit was when they went to the beach to view the sand dunes.

“Instead of having homes like they do in Galveston, they have parking garages in sand dunes, which are good for flood prevention,” she said. “The sand engine pumps are based on mathematical modeling, which determines which is the best place to dump sand so that nature does the rest of the work and distributes it. It is the first one to be implemented in the world.”

For Taing getting to visit the Shell and Fluor offices was also a wonderful networking experience.

“It was very nice to know people in the industry and hear about their perspective and journey.”

Not only did the group receive technical knowledge, but they were also offered advice on their career and life choices. During her visit to Fluor, Taing said that one of the most valuable pieces of advice she received was to take her time.

“Take your time to figure out what you want to do. If you don't end up liking it, don’t be afraid to switch out. You do not have to follow the same linear path.”

Taing also expressed that she felt the work-life balance was completely different and admired the engineers and professionals that they met. “The drive felt different … Dutch engineers dedicate their time to natural causes and helping preserve the place they live in.”

Although the goal of the trip was to learn, the students also had plenty of free time to explore the country. Taing took advantage of this time by “visiting the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House,” she said, both of which are important historical and cultural landmarks.

When asked if she would recommend taking a study abroad program, Adrianna expressed that it was “a good experience,” and that “there are opportunities to attend.” The University of Houston Learning Abroad office provides multiple faculty-led programs abroad that offer enriching opportunities and scholarships for students such as Taing, to attend these types of programs.

“It gave me inspiration and reignited the passion to continue to work on the classes I have to take,” said Taing.