While folks back home have already taken mid-terms and are enjoying fall break, I just finished my first week of classes! So far, so good. I only have four classes (all psychology) once a week for two hours each. Compared to my usual jam-packed schedule, I have a lot of free time! On top of that, the only mandatory coursework is one essay and one final exam. I can already tell the learning style is more independent and the classes are obviously less work intensive. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I’ll just have to give it some time and see. Most people would probably prefer the lighter work load, but I know I am not the best test taker and often learn the most when struggling through homework assignments.
Obviously, the academics aren’t the only thing that is different than what I am used to. While I was traveling, I kept note of some of the things I’d never seen before or were way different than what I’d ever experienced. Especially from an Industrial Engineering perspective, it was really neat to see the different processes and technology, while also observing the different efficiencies or inefficiencies.
One place these differences were most obvious was the airports! These examples are based on my experience only, but they definitely made me examine the pros and cons of what I was experiencing versus what I am used to. The most significant experience was when my grandfather and I were leaving Dublin. We had tickets for the main airline, Aer Lingus, and we arrived to the airport way too early. We discovered that there was no check in desk and people were only using kiosks. I’ve used kiosks before to check my bag, but this kiosk printed our tickets, weighed our bags, printed our bag tags, showed us how to attach them, and directed us to these conveyors. We then put our bags on the conveyor, and the bag tag was scanned by an overhead barcode reader. Then the bag was taken away and that was that! It took 10 minutes (we were rookies too) and we didn’t have to speak to one single person before security. I’m not sure I described it well enough to convey how impressed I was by the process, so here’s an article I found about it if you’d like to read more: https://www.ittn.ie/news/aer-lingus-introduces-smart-speedy-check-in-at-dublin-airport/
Something I’ve never seen, but is quite frequently done, is the assignment of check in gates. I guess there are so many airlines at the larger airports that they have to share, but some lines were atrocious because everyone shows up early and has to wait to check in and drop bags. Another thing I had never experienced was taking a bus to the plane. You’d go to your gate, scan your boarding pass, and they’d load you on a bus and take you to the plane. Again, maybe that’s typical and I’ve just been spoiled with gate bridges, but I was so confused the first time it happened. The last thing that really stuck out to me was in the restroom in the Munich airport. To dry your hands, they had these boxes on the wall that looked like you were supposed to pull out paper towels. But really, the machine would extend out a towel so you could dry your hand and then it would pull it back up. Maybe it was significant because I stood there completely ignorant yanking on this towel before a girl and I figured it out together, but nonetheless it was really cool. Here’s a video I found, if you’re interested to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkrZbd8dyHc
Some other, non-airport, differences I’ve noticed are the environmental efforts made by a lot of cities. Of course, the cars are smaller but there are also a lot eco-friendly cars. I’ve also seen a lot of solar panels being used by businesses and residential buildings. Recycling is extremely convenient and expected. A lot of people bike and use public transportation, and reusable bags are a must (they charge for plastic)! Also, I’ve noticed I have better access to easy healthy food options, with most being a lot cheaper than I would expect to pay at home.
Some technology differences include the fact that the McDonalds (and other fast food places) have kiosks for people to place orders and contactless payment is a big thing (like Apple Pay but with the actual credit card). Some girls from London laughed at me when I asked what it was and I explained we had only just made the transition to having chips in our credit cards. They laughed and said for being a world superpower, the United States is so behind on some things.
I love being exposed to these sort of cultural differences because it has really made me think about the extensiveness of procedural and technological design choices. I find myself saying, “that’s so cool – we need that back home” or, “why do they do that when it’s so inefficient?”. Having an Industrial Engineering background also really helped me to notice and pick apart the different things I’ve seen. Travel is truly invaluable because exposure and experience can be some of the best learning moments, which is something I’ve found during my time abroad.
Cheers!
Brisa B.
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Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.
Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
Some other, non-airport, differences I’ve noticed are the environmental efforts made by a lot of cities. Of course, the cars are smaller but there are also a lot eco-friendly cars. I’ve also seen a lot of solar panels being used by businesses and residential buildings. Recycling is extremely convenient and expected. A lot of people bike and use public transportation, and reusable bags are a must (they charge for plastic)! Also, I’ve noticed I have better access to easy healthy food options, with most being a lot cheaper than I would expect to pay at home.
Some technology differences include the fact that the McDonalds (and other fast food places) have kiosks for people to place orders and contactless payment is a big thing (like Apple Pay but with the actual credit card). Some girls from London laughed at me when I asked what it was and I explained we had only just made the transition to having chips in our credit cards. They laughed and said for being a world superpower, the United States is so behind on some things.
I love being exposed to these sort of cultural differences because it has really made me think about the extensiveness of procedural and technological design choices. I find myself saying, “that’s so cool – we need that back home” or, “why do they do that when it’s so inefficient?”. Having an Industrial Engineering background also really helped me to notice and pick apart the different things I’ve seen. Travel is truly invaluable because exposure and experience can be some of the best learning moments, which is something I’ve found during my time abroad.
Cheers!
Brisa B.
--
Industrial Engineering major Brisa Bartczak is spending the Fall 2018 term in England with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Essex, Colchester with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the College of Engineering.
Read more from Brisa at https://sites.uark.edu/bsbartcz/
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
