The flight home

Here are my top three things about this trip.

Mentor reflection

ACARA mentor Kenton Spading reflects on the seminar.

The final water treatment plant

Today, we spent the morning at another drinking water treatment plant about an hour outside of Trondheim.

Leaving Australia

We enjoy one last day in Australia before heading back to the states.

Wastewater is wonderful

We went to a water treatment plant in the morning, and examined samples later in the day.

Drinking water treatment day

We spent the day at the drinking water treatment plant in Trondheim.

Reflection on India

A reflection on the trip.

A fjord fiesta

Our weekend traveling included fjords and beautiful views.

Secrets of Melbourne

Today we went on a walking tour of Melbourne focusing on the laneways and arcades.

Rural hospitality

We spent the day with village families before leaving for Samhua.

University of Melbourne

Today we visited the University of Melbourne and a couple of the research facilities within it.

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

For our last day of university tours we visited the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Week two experiments

After our first day of getting briefed on how we are going to be collecting water samples from the bodies of water around the field station and analyzing them, we set out to gather the data.

Rural India village visits

After spending a couple weeks in Bangalore, we got the chance to experience rural India with a full day in a village.

Monash University

Today, we had a full-day tour at Monash University.

Outside the city: Day 2

Today we visited BR gunda village, and on the way there we stopped at Samuha micro lending office.

Midnight train going anywhere

We took a train and it was quite an experience.

Village visits with Samuha

We spent the day with an organization called Samuha that works to improve the lives of vulnerable communities.

Outside the City: Day One

The group’s visit to the villages in Raichur included the showcasing of some new cook stoves.

Befriending koalas and kangaroos

Today we headed off to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to see several animals native to Australia.

The field station

We arrived at the Sletvik Field Station where will spend time performing experiments on water quality.

Queensland University of Technology

Today we visited the science and engineering center of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), called the Cube.

We're all in this together: Jaaga Startup

In the afternoon, the majority of the group traveled to a non profit co-working group called Jaaga which can be broadly described as a startup that promotes other startups.

The Ugly Indian

We spent our morning with an organization called The Ugly Indian which works to inspire the community to beautify the city one small project at a time.

The first weekend

After the first week of lab experiments and getting to know Trondheim and the NTNU campus, we finally took our first weekend trip to the Studenterhytta.

A Change in Scenery

Continuing in our day away from urban life, we tested our skills at mixing compost.

Sustainable gardening practices

After a lunch and a quick siesta, we helped create some of the compost used in Navadarshanam.

New perceptions

The group reflects on the experience thus far.

Village visit

We walked to a nearby village today to meet community members and learn about how they live.

Surfer's Paradise

Today we went to the Gold Coast for a day at the beach.

Testing water devices in Bangalore

This afternoon we met with AKVO, a small startup company working to develop a product that will allow people to easily test water samples for contamination.

A day at the lake

Today we set out early on the road to Lake Jakkur where we met up with Avinash, a water expert that works with Akvo.

Always learning

At NTNU, we visited the Norsk Hydroteknisk Laboratorium to witness drop tests in model rivers.

Eat Street

After a long day, we ate our way through Eat Street and tried many different dishes.

Ideation in India

Our second and final day with SELCO Foundation was filled with creative brainstorming activities.

Energy solutions for social problems

With SELCO, the group visited a slum to learn about the problems those living there face.

First day with SELCO

Today we met with representatives for Solar Energy Company (SELCO), and learned about the many problems India faces due to lack of energy.

Studying water flows at the rain garden

We had another adventurous day in the field this morning followed by some lectures after lunch.

On to Brisbane

We said goodbye to Sydney and headed to Brisbane where we visited the University of Queensland.

Work and Play

After a busy day of learning about storm water, we were able to explore Trondheim.

Trash Trail

Our morning started at 6 a.m., where we met a man named Marwan who works for Hasiru Dala Innovations Private Limited: Total Waste Management.

Passenger rail in India

This morning we headed out in the steaming heat to meet with representatives of India's Southwest Rail.

Straight to the field

After a long day of travel, we finally arrived in Trondheim and went straight to work the next day at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

University of Sydney

Today we headed to the University of Sydney, walked through the Royal Botanical Garden, and attended a concert.

Enabling through innovation

This afternoon our group visited the Association of People with Disabilities (APD) facility. We were given a tour of the therapy spaces, adapted classrooms, and vocational training workshops.

University of New South Wales

Today we visited the University of New Wales, a school of over 50,000 students, situated in southern Sydney. There, we toured labs and clean rooms and listed to several lectures.

Relaxing day in Bangalore

Today was our first free day in Bangalore, so a group of us explored the Botanical Gardens and went to the movies.

Into the Blue Mountains

Today we all headed to the Blue Mountains for a day of hiking.

Second day with ESG

We experienced a traditional Indian breakfast before starting our second day with ESG to learn about biodiversity and bio piracy.

The Opera House and a very Manly Beach

After a long first week in Sydney, we were eager to head out for a more relaxing, tourist-y experience of Sydney.

Q&A with the government

In the afternoon, Environmental Support Group (ESG) representatives helped prepare us for a visit to the local government offices.

First day with ESG

We continue learning and working with Environment Support Group (ESG) by touring a lake and an apartment complex in Bangalore to discuss development issues.

Urbanization meets wildlife

On our third day, we met with two ESG (Environmental Support Group) representatives in the Karishma Hills.

Macquarie University and Cochlear

Today we went for a full day visit to Macquarie University. There we listened to several fascinating lectures and toured some facilities.

CSIRO and University of Technology Sydney

Today we visited CSIRO to learn about their research and facilities. Later we went to the University of Technology Sydney where we heard a few lectures and got to see their UTS Hatchery and data arena.

Fields of view

Today's focus was on urban planning and development. After an extensive walking tour of old Bangalore we were able to compare how the city was built in the past to what it looks like today and how it has changed.

Google and Medtronic

Today we made our much-anticipated trip to Google and Metronic.

Old town new experiences

Today we went on a walking tour of some of the oldest parts of Bangalore.

Scavenger hunt

Namaste Bengaluru! Our first day in Bangalore served as an introduction to the city and a chance for the students to explore in style via rickshaw.

Sightseeing in Sydney and the case of the missing birthdays

Upon arriving in Sydney, the group enjoyed a full day of sightseeing.

Here we go!

Here we go again, off to Bangalore!

Layover in San Fransisco

After a short layover in San Fransisco, the group is on their way to Australia.

Nano-Bio Circuits and Systems in Australia

Professor Jerry Sobelman (electrical and computer engineering) will lead a program in 2016 exploring the current state of research and application of electrical and computer engineering in Australia!

Field Methods in Water Quality in Norway

Get into the field! Based in Trondheim, Norway, this seminar will investigate various methods to analyze the quality of lakes, streams, drinking water, and wastewater.

Design for Sustainable Development: India

Discovering India’s fast-growing mega-city and entrepreneurship hub, where rural meets urban, where poverty meets wealth, where environmental and quality of life issues are distinctly intertwined, is the focus of this course in Bangalore, India.

Before we said our goodbyes to Tanzania

Before returning home, we went on a safari in Ruaha National Park.

The Little Museum of Dublin, Museum of Modern Art, and farewell!

We went to a few museums before saying goodbye to Ireland.

Trinity Centre for Bioengineering and a night at the theatre

We met with faculty members at Trinity College and attended "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde at the Gate Theatre.

IBEC, the Science Gallery, and Co. Wicklow and Glendalough

We've been busy learning about the medical devices industry and enjoying Ireland. We visited IBEC (business services), the Science Gallery, and did some sightseeing in Glendalough​ and County Wicklow.

It's been fun, Montpellier

It has been a busy week meeting with city officials and professors, and now we are off to Paris.

Galway and Boston Scientific

Today, we journeyed to Galway to meet with Boston Scientific and tour their offices.

Kising’a

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Village visit to Ikwavila

Team Ikwavila left Friday morning to the Tungamelanga region. The goal of this village trip was to study the area in order to design a water transportation system.

Lutangilo

We spent time measuring and testing water at key tap locations in Lutangilo. Some other highlights include playing soccer at the Lutangilo Secondary School and attending a Swahili church service.

University of Limerick and the Cliffs of Moher

Today we met with our host professor and doctoral students at the University of Limerick. After, we saw the Cliffs of Moher.

Enjoying France and the nearby region

We have arrived in France!

Weekend overview

We have been studying the various water systems and preparing for team presentations. Everyone is well and enjoying their time in Tanzania.

Internet down

The internet is currently not working in Tanzania; therefore, the students cannot update the blog. New posts will be available once the internet begins working again. Meanwhile, everyone is doing great and having a wonderful time.

Trinity College and The Book of Kells

Today, we went to Trinity College to learn about higher education in Ireland and some of the medical discoveries made in the country.

Welcome to Dublin

The group has arrived in Dublin, and spent the first day enjoying local food and learning the history of the city.

Layover in New York

The group has a layover in New York before flying to Ireland.

Our group visit to the University of Iringa and the Ilula Hospital

Today, the group went for a hike at sunrise, toured the University of Iringa, and learned about the problems faced at the Ilula Hospital due to unsafe water.

Habari za jioni!

Today we had the opportunity to shop for souvenirs in the Iringa marketplace before traveling to Ihemi to gather information for finalizing the design proposed by last year’s students.

Habari! (Hello)

The team has been in Tanzania for five whole days now, and we are now 100% fluent in at least twelve (Kumi na mbili) words of Swahili! Today was an eventful day including a trip to the headquarters of the Lutheran diocese and the villiage of Lukani.

Learning and exploring in Iringa

Today we had a lecture on fluid mechanics before learning Swahili culture and language from a local Tanzanian. We finished the day with a hike.

Meet the Tanzania 2016 Team

To kill time on the long journey from Dar es Salaam to Iringa, we interviewed the team to help those back home get to know about this year's group.

Visit to TransAfrica, Carver's Market, and The Waterfront

Today, we visited TransAfrica to learn more about water pumps and generators. We explored the Carver’s Market where we saw hundreds of ebony wood carvings, paintings, and other handmade crafts. We concluded the day by going to The Waterfront, a restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean.

We have arrived!

We have arrived in Tanzania!