Eden Exchange Program: James' Troy Journey

After hearing about my colleagues’ experiences in the Eden exchange programme, I was excited to join Eden’s US team in New York State for two weeks of hands-on learning.

Since my first day was a US holiday, I eased into the week by enjoying views of the Hudson River from the train, and exploring the city of Troy, before grabbing a bite to eat and meeting up with Sean.

My first impression was how relaxed the atmosphere felt compared to my usual rush-hour commute in London. It was fantastic to finally meet the US team members, most of whom I had only interacted with through webcams during All Hands meetings. I was keen to contribute wherever possible and gain a deeper understanding of the different policies and procedures in the States.

One of the many benefits of our exchange programme is the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the globe. The US team had some great events planned for me, both in and outside of work. In my first week, I attended a task force meeting in a nearby town to review the status of the town’s renewable energy moratorium. The team wanted to be on hand for any renewable-related questions from the town’s committee or members of the public. It was a fantastic experience to observe the level of community involvement and compare it with similar meetings in the UK.

One day, I joined project coordinator Megan for educational site visits to a few of our operational community solar farms. We helped university students conduct biodiversity studies and explore the environmental impacts of our solar farms.

I also joined Jennifer, Eden’s education program head, in hosting a solar farm tour and activity with 20 physics students from a local high school. We looked at light refraction through different materials and at different temperatures.

While the work-related activities were fantastic, it was great to spend my free time exploring New York State. One highlight was exploring the stunning Lake George via boat on a day of perfect weather. Another memorable experience was attending a local baseball game, even though the Valleycats didn’t come out on top. I ended the trip e with a walking tour of NYC including The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Wall Street. I even caught a last-minute Yankees game.

While it was sad to say my goodbyes, my time in the States was a truly memorable experience, one that wouldn’t have been the same without the support of my US colleagues, to whom I am very grateful.