Delft '26 Day 2: Getting Things Rolling

18 students on a red metal bridge over grass
May 14, 2026
Francesca Pastizzo, Civil Engineering

This story is one of a series written by students in the Gonzaga in Delft program, a course from the Civil Engineering department exploring sustainable practices of the Netherlands.


Today, the students were able to sleep in and catch some Z’s after their long journeys to Delft. After stumbling out of bed and trying to remember where they parked their bikes in the garage, they set off on their day of biking!

To get the course rolling, the students started off by learning how to safely navigate the intricate transportation system of Delft. Along with learning the “how” of the systems, students learned the “why.” The Dutch are incredibly intentional with their space, and every brick has a purpose.

The students broke for their first solo lunch of the trip, some cooking in the living accommodations, and others visiting the Thursday market in the central square.

Post-refuel, the Delfties were off to their next adventure. The students biked along the “worst” road in the city for bikes, which was hilariously comparable to the best options for bike lanes back home!

Young man pets a horse
After some tomfoolery in roundabouts and Fietspad (designated bike roads), Delfties headed for the countryside. The students took the Fietssnelweg, bike highways which connect cities to urban outskirts, and even other cities! As seen here, the students adopted some new friends along the way but still think that bulldogs are the best!

Young adults sit outdoors in grass with attention on a teacher.

Woman standing by several bicycles 


More student experiences from Gonzaga in Delft