Submission Number: 186
Submission ID: 875
Submission UUID: 97014064-3f3e-4e63-b2d8-785a49b4c891

Created: Fri, 04/08/2022 - 13:39
Completed: Fri, 04/08/2022 - 13:39
Changed: Sun, 05/18/2025 - 08:17

Remote IP address: 128.138.129.52
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No

Flagged: Yes
Locked: Yes
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Ayden
Hinerfeld
She/her/hers
Fort Collins
Colorado
United States
80525
Environmental Engineering major with a Global Engineering minor
English (5), French (2/3), Hebrew (1)
Between my Freshman and Sophomore years of high school, I went to Italy through my Jewish youth group, BBYO, with other Jewish teens from around the country, none of whom I had ever met before. We went to Venice, Milan, Rome, Florence, Verona, Pompeii, as well as Ljubljana, Slovenia. During this time, we immersed ourselves not only in the Italian culture, but also in the Jewish history within each of the cities. We toured the old ghettos of Venice, met some of the locals of the Jewish communities who owned local shops or restaurants, and went to Shabbat services in Venice and Rome. I gained a new understanding of my own Jewish history, as these were the oldest Jewish settlements I had ever experienced, and learned more about the intertwining cultures of Italy and Judaism. We kept journals to document our thoughts, feelings, things we learned, and just general experiences we had, and I wish I had been able to stay longer so I could've delved deeper into the history of each place we visited. It taught me how to be comfortable feeling uncomfortable in a new and unfamiliar setting and to take my time observing and learning in other countries. In seventh grade, however, I went to Paris, France as my Bat Mitzvah present, where I was able to immerse myself in the French language. At the time, I was in my second year of learning French, and was really nervous about not understanding the French people I met or sounding silly when I spoke in the native language. However, going to France really taught me how to make mistakes when speaking in a language that isn't super familiar to me. The more time I spent in the country, the better my French got and the less intimidated I was to make mistakes and speak to new people. My French became comparatively better after that experience, and I can only hope to one day return and stay longer so I can explore more of France.
I would want to live down the hall from any individual who is driven in their area of study. Being around people who are focused and diligent about their work helps me stay on track with my own work, and having a group of people to study with would be really nice, especially if we are all studying similar things. I also like to be around kind and open-minded people, which is part of why I am so interested in the Global Engineers program, since looking at issues from a global standpoint is something that can help broaden one's mind. I believe very strongly in kindness and unconditional positive regard, and would hope to be around people who wouldn't judge others for their individual lifestyle choices or their interests. Finally, I would love to live near others who are balanced, and have a good work/play ratio. Spending time on studies is extremely important, especially in a program as rigorous as engineering, but taking time to have fun and enjoy the place one is inhabiting is also super important. I want to make valuable connections with others, and I believe the best way to do that is through both social and academic interactions.
I would love to be a member of the Global Engineering RAP at CU Boulder because I would like to use the skills that I learn as an engineer anywhere they are needed. I pride myself on having an open mind, but I would love to open it even further, and I think the diversity, opportunity, and community that the Global Engineering RAP offers would provide me with some really great resources to further my global experience and perspective. It is important for me to be a global thinker and leader, which involves exploring outside the comfort of the states and countries I am familiar with. Immersing myself in new cultures and societies would help me become not only a more informed and educated individual, but a better engineer, classmate, and friend. There is so much to learn from places all over the world, and I would love for my education to have pieces from everywhere. As someone who is very passionate about environmentalism, I think it is really important for individuals and communities alike to become more aware of their ecological footprint, but realistically, it isn't an option for some. I recognize that it is a sort of luxury that I have to be concerned about the environment, and when I first started my journey into environmentalism, I felt almost pretentious. For some, being concerned about the environment isn't even a possibility because they are concerned about surviving. Buying all natural, organic, GMO-free, free range, etc. food is expensive. Buying a battery powered electric car is expensive. Switching over from a coal-powered power grid to solar panels is expensive. The reality is that not everyone has the privilege of being concerned about the environment, which is why I hope to use what I learn in the CU Boulder school of engineering (and hopefully the Global Engineering RAP) to create not only sustainable, but affordable and realistic alternatives for everyday needs. Hopefully, I can bring my knowledge of sustainability to the residential community, reminding all of us that our Earth is fragile and we need to take care of her, but I would also hope to bring my open-mindedness and kindness to our community. Being a Global Leader isn't just about traveling and learning, it is about respect and appreciation for those who are different. Being a good global leader is not only about teaching others what you know, but also taking the time to get to know those people and learn from them as well. I always try to be kind to others in hopes that they too will pass that kindness on to other people in their own life, and I value that kindness when it is passed onto me. Intelligence and motivation are all very important attributes for anyone in any field, but sometimes overshadow the values of compassion, understanding, and patience, which I believe are of equal importance, and which I hope to bring to the Global Engineering RAP at CU Boulder.
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