Hello everyone! My name is Quincy and I have just completed four weeks in Barcelona working with KIMbcn (Knowledge Innovation Market Barcelona) on various consulting projects. As an environmental intern, I have been assigned to aerospace projects aiming to improve sustainability at the manufacturing and expansion level. Through this internship I have learned how to research new topics and design project proposals. I had zero prior experience with either consulting or aerospace strategy so it has been a journey to learn about an entirely new discipline and work on project strategies. Nonetheless, I have learned a lot and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to grow in a new environment and gain new perspectives. My supervisors and fellow interns have been extremely supportive, curating a collaborative environment where we foster new ideas and innovation. Working in Barcelona has also provided me with the opportunity to gain insight into European culture and emphasis on sustainability which I appreciate. I have had the opportunity to solidify my Spanish and even attend conferences where Catalonia’s experts join to curate a sustainable future. The general passion for sustainability here came as a shock to me and is one of the things I appreciate most about this experience- it has almost encouraged me to move to Spain.
I have been studying the environment and sustainability in school but I have only really been applying it to climate change and wildlife conservation. This take on sustainability is completely new to me so I appreciate the chance to expand my perspective. It seems counterintuitive to be working on sustainability through a tech and AI consulting company but it has taught me how to balance both worlds and collaborate with the emerging tech-centered future. I have learned to stop resisting tech and AI and instead encourage corporations to become more sustainable. The aerospace industry especially has infinite potential and a huge future though currently it is highly unsustainable. I have been working on projects that foster sustainability without restricting the sector’s future which is something I will carry back with me to Cornell and continue to apply on every project I work on.
Outside of work, I have met various other interns and study abroad students and we have created a community. I have met people from all over the world and we take weekend trips together and explore Barcelona’s culture on our days off. Though we have all been suffering in the heatwave, we have prevailed and managed to sight see, visit markets, and even hike (though our favorite activity is to spend time in the ocean swimming or paddleboarding and there’s talk about jetskis in the coming weeks). We also thoroughly enjoy watching the World Cup every night which only provides more opportunities for us to explore new neighborhoods and stay out late. I used to work on conservation projects in rural towns, usually in the middle of a forest, so working in a major city has been a completely new experience for me and I have been highly enjoying it (I've already been to two concerts and a music festival with more planned for the future). It feels like I just got here yet it feels natural like I’ve been here for a lifetime. Only having two weeks left is devastating but I am glad to say I have made the most out of this experience and will continue doing so while I can. I might even be back in junior year for my study abroad, who knows?
Bye for now
- Quincy