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Meet Olivia De Simone
Iceland 2024 – TGP Scholarship
McMaster University
Electrical Engineering
Graduation Year: 2026
IG: @olivia.d
“This experience reminded me that the solutions to the world’s biggest problems won’t come from individuals working in silos, they’ll come from communities, shared vision, and people willing to build a better future together.”
Takeaways and Learning Moments
Before attending the Peru program, I kept asking myself: “What must we sacrifice to preserve our planet?” I expected to learn about climate and water resource challenges, but what I didn’t expect was how deeply the experience would shape my perspective on community.
One of the most powerful moments was visiting the Indigenous community of Chocco, where 260 families and nearly 5,000 people live in the Andes at some of the highest altitudes in Cusco. We weren’t there just to learn about water scarcity; we were there to witness resilience. Although water sources were nearby, the mountainous terrain made access incredibly difficult. We saw the power of community in action as everyone came together to install water pipelines along the mountainside.
This experience reframed everything for me. Sustainability isn’t only about individual sacrifice. It’s about collective action, love, and resourcefulness. I left with a deeper understanding of what it means to build a future that includes everyone, and I’m forever grateful for the experiences and lessons I gained through the program.
My biggest takeaway? That no matter where we come from, we all need the same things: love, community, nourishment, and purpose.
Despite the uncertainty in the world, there are always people working toward good. In Peru, I had some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had, from water equity to food systems and Indigenous knowledge. I realized that sustainability doesn’t look the same to everyone, and that’s okay. What matters is that we listen, collaborate, and include every voice in the conversation.
This experience reminded me that the solutions to the world’s biggest problems won’t come from individuals working in silos, they’ll come from communities, shared vision, and people willing to build a better future together.
The Importance of Global Experiences
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to bet on yourself first. Even if it means doing the things that scare you alone, picking up extra shifts to make your dreams happen, or applying to 10 scholarships before one says yes. I believe you owe it to yourself to pursue what you feel called to do.
Programs like TGP matter because they show underrepresented students that their voice belongs in global conversations. As someone who often questioned if I had a place in spaces like this, I can confidently say I do.
These experiences give you something bigger than a resume boost, they give you belief and purpose. They show you that your ideas matter, your story matters, and your passion can translate into real-world impact. Once you see yourself thriving in spaces you once thought were out of reach, you never go back to playing small.
