My summer school experience at BUILDERS École d’ingénieurs
By Calum Fleming, MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, 2024
Studying abroad provides the opportunity to experience living in a different city, as well as a unique opportunity for personal development. I had the privilege of travelling to Caen, in the north of France, to immerse myself within French culture and deepen my understanding of sustainable building. Currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions, the building sector may be considered the most important piece of the emissions puzzle. To gain a better understanding of how this industry is evolving outside of the UK, I took part in an exchange at BUILDERS École d’ingénieurs to engage in the sustainable building programme.
Within this four week programme, there was a blend of lectures, laboratories and site visits, shaped around a central project which commenced during the first week. Lectures provided a technical insight towards sustainable engineering, presented by experienced professors from several European universities. Laboratories focused on building sustainable clay walls, which resulted in quite an amusing mess within the lab but also provided insight towards sustainable alternatives. With several trips to sites in the north of France, including Le Havre and Mont Saint-Michel, the school provided incredibly interesting trips and fortunately, many crates of baguettes. During the time I was there, the exchange overlapped with the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which was an extremely moving experience.
This exchange provided the opportunity to spend time in an area full of historical ingenuity, as well as a framework to meet brilliant people from all over the world. Through both the cultures and the expertise shared, I was introduced to new ways of thinking which have reflected into both my studies and my life outside university. I am really grateful for this experience!
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