Aaron Barba Navalon

I arrived at University College Roosevelt from Madrid, Spain, carrying with me a long-standing curiosity for science, creativity, and social impact — and a conviction that education should expand who you are, not confine you to a single path. After my first semester at UCR, I can confidently say that I made the right decision.

Before coming to Middelburg, I had the opportunity to consider several highly selective universities abroad. Yet, in the end, I chose to follow what felt right: a program that would adapt to me, rather than one I would have to adapt to. UCR’s Liberal Arts & Sciences curriculum stood out immediately. Its flexibility, small-scale setting, and emphasis on intellectual exploration offered something rare — the freedom to connect ideas across disciplines while still pursuing academic depth.

My background has never fit neatly into a single category. Throughout high school, I immersed myself in scientific inquiry, creative expression, and community engagement. I completed advanced coursework in areas ranging from nanofabrication to fluid dynamics, collaborated on a national parliamentary proposal advocating for Spain’s first tobacco-free generation, and explored design and sustainability through independent projects. Alongside this, music was always present — performing as a violinist and chorister — as was service, whether working with children with autism, organizing charity initiatives, or leading environmental clean-up efforts.

Coming to UCR allowed all these threads to coexist — and, for the first time, to meaningfully inform one another.

During my first semester, I discovered new academic interests I had never formally explored before. Courses in programming introduced me to computational thinking as a creative tool, while sustainability-focused courses such as Building with Nature and Sustainability Essentials I reshaped how I understand the relationship between human systems and the natural environment. What stood out most was not only the content of these courses, but the way they encouraged critical reflection, collaboration, and real-world application.

This interdisciplinary approach became the foundation of my first-year research project, which examines possible links between Building with Nature principles and sustainable coastal resilience. Inspired directly by my coursework, I conducted an extensive literature review identifying gaps in current coastal management practices and proposing a process through which Building with Nature approaches could be applied in regions where they are not yet implemented. The project received the highest score in the course, but more importantly, it confirmed my desire to work at the intersection of science, sustainability, and societal impact.

Learning at UCR has extended well beyond the classroom. Through Community Engaged Learning, I worked with the Delta Climate Center to develop a proposal aimed at making their annual event more sustainable — a proposal that is now being implemented for the Center’s 2026 event. Experiences like this reinforced one of the reasons I chose UCR in the first place: students are trusted with responsibility, and their work is taken seriously.

Equally formative has been life outside the classroom. I live on the Bagijnhof campus, in a shared, traditional Dutch house with nine other students. One of the most characteristic aspects of this type of housing is the shared kitchen, which naturally brings people together. In my house, we take turns cooking dinner for one another during the week, study together, and unwind with activities like playing Just Dance. Having such a social environment just outside my door has made it easy to build strong connections, while still having my own room as a space for focus and reflection. That balance between community and independence has been a defining part of my experience at UCR.

At the same time, I became involved as a student ambassador, representing UCR at university fairs and events across the Netherlands. These experiences, combined with internal training opportunities such as public speaking courses with Prof. Dr. Michael Burke, allowed me to grow not only academically, but also as a communicator and representative of the university.

Music continues to play a central role in my life at UCR. As a bass in the Roosevelt College Choir, I have performed in numerous concerts — from Christmas markets and church performances to graduation ceremonies. One of the most meaningful moments of the semester was participating in the premiere of a choral piece written and conducted by a fellow UCR student, as well as performing student-composed works in ensemble settings. These experiences capture something essential about UCR: a close-knit community where students actively support one another’s ideas and creativity.

Looking ahead to my second semester, I am excited to continue building on this foundation through courses such as Sustainability Essentials II and Consumer Product Design, while seeking new internships and projects that allow me to further integrate technology, sustainability, and innovation.

Looking back, choosing UCR was not about choosing a single discipline or a predefined path. It was about choosing a place that values curiosity, initiative, and intellectual courage. In just one semester, UCR has given me the space to grow academically, creatively, and personally — and I am excited to see where that journey continues.