Fresh Brains: Bellinzona

Sunday - Arrival and City Exploration Arrival and City Exploration

The journey began on a sleepy Sunday morning when Brice and Doutheyarrived in Bellinzona after a gruelling 13-hour night train from Amsterdam. Exhausted but eager to explore, theyquickly freshened up at the hostel and set out to discover the city centre. After wandering through the picturesque streets, they finally stumbled upon a delightful restaurant that offered authentic Italian cuisine. Savoring the delicious meal, they eagerly awaited Britt's arrival, as well as students from the University of Bern and the University of Wuppertal. At night the restaurant buzzed with laughter and excitement as they introduced themselves, shared stories and got to know each other better.

Monday - Site visit, getting to know the area, groups

The day began with an introduction to our project, which was focused on redirecting the traffic from Bellinzona to a provincial highway. Accompanied by their project mentors, the students made our way to the construction site. With their orange safety vests securely fastened Britt, Doutheyand Brice were ready to immerse ourselves in the world of infrastructure development. Afterwards they discussed the project and how to tackle the problems and ended the first evening with a lovely dinner and some drinks.

Tuesday – Presentations from Swiss students, Gotthard tunnel

After a morning of dedicating ourselves to our project work, theywere thrilled to take a break and delve into the wonders that Bellinzona had to offer. Dressed in our bright orange overalls and safety helmets, theyset off for an unforgettable visit to the iconic Gotthard Tunnel. The Gotthard Tunnel, an engineering marvel, is the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, stretching through the Swiss Alps. As engineering and built environment students, theywere in atheyby the constructions. With our curiosity sated and our spirits lifted, it was time to reward ourselves with a well-deserved treat: a beer!

Wednesday - A Day of Vision and Songs

The Wednesday-trip began with a long day of school, where the students dedicated their time to the ambitious project of revamping Viale C. Ogliati. As part of the team responsible for envisioning the road's future and setting goals, Douwe found himself amidst a collaborative effort to transform this car-oriented street into a green and sustainable public space. However, like any group project, they faced their fair share of challenges that consumed considerable energy and caused some friction. Douwe’s group was responsible for the vision of the road and the target that had to be accomplished. Visit of the Gotthard Tunnel Nighttime brought the perfect opportunity for some light-hearted fun, as the trio joined their fellow students for a lively karaoke session, where the beers helped in the quality of singing.

Thursday - Battling Hangovers and a Hike to Remember

Thursday dawned with the aftermath of the previous night's revelry. They found themselves facing a long day at school and a crucial practice presentation. The group struggled to align their thoughts cohesively, leaving them dissatisfied with the outcome. Despite the setback, the trio remained determined to make the most of their time in Bellinzona. After the demanding school day, they decided to embark on an exhilarating 3-hour hike to a Tibetan Hanging Bridge. The breathtaking views and the serenity of nature provided the perfect respite from their project-related challenges. Walking across the bridge, they felt a sense of unity and harmony with both the landscape and each other, reminding them of the importance of teamwork. The combination of fresh mountain air and the flavorsome pizza seemed to make everything fall into place, offering a well-deserved moment of relaxation and enjoyment.

Friday - Presentation and Farewell Celebrations

The highlight of the trip arrived on Friday when Britt, Douwe and Brice had the opportunity to present their project, 'Viale C. Ogliati,' to esteemed individuals in the field of mobility. The mobility expert of Bellinzona, the chief mobility expert of the Canton of Ticino, and the senior professor at the technical university of Bellinzona were all present. Fortunately, our hard work paid off, and the feedback the students received was overwhelmingly positive. To celebrate the successful presentation, the students embarked on a 2-hour bike ride to Lago Maggiore, a beautiful lake near Bellinzona. They ended the night on a high note, enjoying a last beer together and reflecting on the wonderful experiences we had shared throughout the trip.