Background
Hi, I am Becca Kiriazes! I am a first-year Ph.D. transportation engineering student at Georgia Tech. I recently graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a degree in civil engineering. Through study abroad and personal travel, I have explored life and traveled on the different transportation systems around the world. Some of my favorite transportation travel memories are
- Riding the precarious shared mini buses in South Africa
- Navigating the elaborate commuter bus system in Mexico
- Walking home on the Minuteman Greenway in Boston
- Driving on the “wrong side” of the road in Ireland
- Singing for hours on cross-country road trips around the USA
- Adventuring through the underground metros in Paris and London
- Cruising around the Mediterranean
- Exploring the tourism transportation bus network all around Peru
- Taking the train between cities in France and Germany
Transportation has the ability to connect people around the world and I love discovering how different transportation networks support unique communities. I have also learned that developing safe roadways is a health issue affecting the entire world. I keep a blog of my experiences for my family and friends to stay in the loop of my adventures.
Transportation in Orlando
I grew up in Orlando, FL close to the University of Central Florida (UCF). Orlando is a car-centric city and number 1 in the nation for pedestrian deaths. Growing up within walking distance from a college, I have had slightly different transportation experiences than most Orlando natives. It was fairly safe to walk and bike around campus, so I was able to travel recreationally to libraries and coffee shops. Besides those fun afternoons on campus, driving around Orlando is necessary to get to school, shops, and pretty much anywhere else. My only transit experiences before college were at Disney. Disney transportation is really efficient and clean, so I grew up with a pretty positive association with buses (buses = Disney magic).
Goals for Course
I am very excited to explore the Netherlands and learn about sustainable transportation infrastructure! After graduation, I would like to be a professor who inspires students to make a change in the world. As a professor, I would like to lead study abroad programs to help students get out of their comfort zones and become exposed to new ways of thinking. I can't wait to participate in this course, so I can learn all about hosting a great study abroad course from experience!
Enjoying the Disney Monorail, buses, and people mover!
