Last week all interns for the 2017 NEWT REU attended an orientation at Rice University. For me, it was my first time in Texas; which means it was my first time in Houston. Although short lived, I tried to make the most out of my time there. That explains why I only slept for about 10 out of the 53 hours I was there. Rice University is a really beautiful campus, and I definitely look forward to going back. It’s actually pretty big and spread out, which is something I don’t look forward to. Perhaps I can get a golf cart and ride around that way because nobody has time to walk these days. I enjoyed meeting new people from other schools, but unfortunately time was on the short side for interaction. I hope during the return to Houston that we will have more time to socialize and reflect on our experiences. Flying to Houston was my first time on a plane, and that was something I really can’t describe. I do not have words to express how it felt, but it is an experience that I won’t forget, even if there is more to come. Having the opportunity to go out and venture into another city for educational and collaborative purposes is something I wish everybody could participate in. I hope that in years to come NEWT is around and provides this opportunity for the next set of students.
The orientation itself was full of good information. I learned a lot more about the process of water treatment and how much actually goes into it. It’s not everyday that people think about the water coming out of their faucet. We take it for granted, turn the handle, and expect the water to come out clean. However, there are masses of people working behind the scenes to ensure that the water is available and safe enough for everyday use. There is so much contamination from human waste that it’s essential to care about the treatment. I look forward to being a part of this greater mission, something bigger than myself or my community. I hope our contributions will play a role in the advancements of nanotechnology in water treatment. I look forward to a productive and memorable summer working with NEWT.
- Sorry… no pictures this time