by Kesan Ucheya, Class of 2024
During my transformative adventure studying abroad in Milan, Italy, I eagerly embraced an
enriching opportunity to explore urban development across Europe at the Conference on
Comparative Urbanism and Urban Studies in Porto, Portugal.
This experience was a global immersion into my passion for economic and urban development.
We were able to examine several dimensions of urbanism from the role of transportation to the
impact the people themselves can have. The conference delved into multifaceted strategies
across the continent.
Participating in this lively, interactive event exposed me to a ton of knowledge. Engaging
keynote speakers addressed vital topics, while interactive sessions facilitated exchanges with
fellow researchers sharing fresh insights. One of the highlights of my time there was connection
with the hearing from a few of the staff under the Minister for Planning and how they laid out the
barriers to the development of Portugal.
I owe immense gratitude to the Luther Hodges Scholars Program for their long-standing
support, fueling not only my intellectual curiosity but also my personal and cultural growth. This
immersive journey has broadened my horizons and acted as a crucial stepping stone in building
on my interest in economic development.