Smart Cities & Sustainability

You and your friends can’t help but laugh as you pet a cow on a floating farm—yes, a floating farm! Beneath your feet, the water gently sways, while Rotterdam’s skyline stretches toward the horizon. This one-of-a-kind experience at the world’s first Floating Farm showcases how cities can adapt to climate challenges and produce fresh, local food.

The visit begins with a presentation from the farm’s founders, who share how their bold idea became a groundbreaking reality—and how it’s just the beginning. With a second farm already underway, they envision floating farms in major port cities worldwide, bringing fresh food closer to urban consumers. Touring the facility, you learn about modular designs, sustainable agriculture, and reducing food supply chains. Feeding the cows and sampling fresh dairy products makes the day unforgettable.

This inspiring visit combines fun with forward-thinking innovation. As you and your peers discuss the possibilities of floating farms, you leave ready to dream big about your role in shaping a greener, more resilient world.

The train glides past canals and green fields as you and your friends journey to Almere, one of the Netherlands’ newest cities, built entirely on land reclaimed from the sea. Almere’s innovative design feels futuristic, and the Upcycle Center is its heart—a community hub where sustainability and the circular economy meet. Built from recycled materials, this space includes not just workshops and exhibits but also a playground featuring slides, a café serving locally sourced food, and artisans crafting designs from upcycled materials.

Your guided tour, led by the center’s founder, takes you through workspaces where discarded items are transformed into furniture, art, and functional products. In the experience center, interactive displays highlight the principles of the circular economy and invite you to rethink consumption and sustainability. The ingenuity and practical solutions spark ideas for your final project—one that could serve as a cornerstone for your academic portfolio or college admissions.

This visit highlights how sustainability can be engaging, innovative, and accessible to everyone. You leave inspired by the community-driven solutions and excited to apply these concepts to your own studies, daily life, and future ambitions.