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Reflecting on my experience with The Week, I feel that it profoundly shifted my perspective on both my personal life and the world’s direction. Ten years from now, I want to remember the sense of urgency and clarity that this experience brought into my life, especially around the climate crisis. More than just facts or figures, The Week made me see climate change in a deeply personal light—not as something abstract, but as a future that will impact me, the people I love, and the world I’m building my life in. It has motivated me to act not out of fear, but out of hope for a better world and a desire to live responsibly.

The “U-shaped” journey of The Week was a unique emotional experience. In the first episode, I was confronted with the gravity of the crisis, and I felt the weight of the challenges ahead. This wasn’t easy to digest, but it grounded me in reality. The second episode gave me the chance to process those heavy truths and discuss them with people I trust. By the final episode, I felt a newfound sense of empowerment; I walked away with a belief that we can make a difference, that our actions do matter.

On a personal level, this experience pushed me to reflect on my own “inner compass.” Today, it’s so easy to get swept up in career goals, financial aspirations, or superficial achievements. But The Week reminded me that a meaningful life is about something deeper: it’s about resilience, connection, and accountability to the planet and each other. I now realize that health, gratitude, and living authentically should guide my decisions. Ten years from now, I hope I’ll remember these values as the foundation for my choices.

This journey reminded me of the importance of creating a story that feels real and aligned with who I am. I don’t want to look back with regrets about missed opportunities to be present, to help, and to value what truly matters. More than ever, I feel a responsibility to contribute to a healthier, safer world for future generations. If I can look back and know I made decisions that honored this vision, I’ll feel fulfilled.

About ENES SAMED KURT

Enes Samed Kurt is a Turkish civil engineer and an Erasmus Mundus scholar currently pursuing a double master’s degree in Advanced Materials: Innovative Recycling (AMIR) and Circular Economy of Construction Products and Minerals. With extensive experience in sustainable construction, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and environmental impact analysis, he is focused on integrating eco-friendly practices in industrial operations, especially in demolition and recycling. Enes has held research internships in France, specializing in materials LCA, and has a solid background in interdisciplinary projects aimed at promoting the circular economy and sustainability within construction.

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Hello everyone, nice to meet you.
My name is Lee Ji-won, and I’m from South Korea.
I graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering in South Korea. After graduation, I completed a six-month internship at KPC, a construction certification company in Korea that specializes in eco-friendly certification. Following this, I worked for three years at a construction firm.

During my internship and time at the company, I encountered various issues, such as eco-friendly materials and recycling problems at construction sites, which naturally led me to consider the concept of a Circular Economy.

Driven by a desire to learn and grow, I wanted to study in a place with a greater focus on environmental sustainability than in Korea.
So now I am here at UPM in Madrid, pursuing my Master’s degree in Circular Economy.

About JIWON LEE

Hi, I am from South Korea. I studied Architecture Engineering and worked as a Construction Supervision. Now studying a masters degree in circular economy for sustainability : especially construction materials

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Through the process of THE WEEK which focuses on climate change mitigation and circular economy, I have gained a deeper comprehension of the severity of the situation and the potential impact that sustainable practices could have. It provided further support for the notion that the implementation of circular economy concepts, which include the reduction of waste, the extension of product life cycles, and the rethinking of our life choices, is not only necessary for the preservation of environmental health but also for the development of resilient economies.

From the experience I gained on THE WEEK, I have been motivated to include circular economy ideas into my future work in a more active manner, particularly in domains where traditional linear models continue to be the dominant model. I am more dedicated than ever before to finding solutions that put an emphasis on the recovery of materials, the utilization of renewable resources, and the implementation of systems that produce zero waste. Whether I work in the field of materials science, supply chain management, or manufacturing, my objective is to create and advocate for systems that contribute to the mitigation of climate change by lowering dependency on limited resources and minimizing carbon footprints. In the end, this perspective have directed the path that I choose in my professional life, compelling me to pursue inventions that are not just efficient but also sustainable and helpful to both people and the world.

About NNABUIKE LINUS ONUH

Howdy!! My name is Linus, I am an Advanced Materials and Innovative Recycling master’s student at both the University of Miskolc and Polytechnic University of Madrid. I have a background in Materials Science and Engineering specializing in soft matter, polymer and composite materials synthesis, production, characterization, sustainable recycling, and upcycling for circular economy. I am adept at carrying out research works on optimizing various manufacturing processes to enhance polymer properties, improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact. I am excited to contribute to a world where sustainable choices are not only possible but practical and scalable.

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Watching the series ‘The Week’ was one of those pivotal moments in my studies that really left an indelible mark. It initially came as a shock-an unfiltered exposure to the stark reality of the environmental crisis that we are facing. It was as if a certain curtain was lifted, showing just how immense the challenges ahead were; it stirred within me a tendency of urgency. The weight of this realization was heavy, as it threw the door open to my future in the most personal manner.

As I went further in the series, I did start to feel my perspective slowly shift. The tenacity of the depth and complexity of the issues shed light on uncomfortable truths but also planted seeds of resiliency. I realized true awareness isn’t merely about understanding the problem; it’s about internalizing the urge for change in our ways and questioning the systems that got us here. Such process actually helped me go through some reflection of my own personal choices and values in a way I hadn’t done before.

By the end, I had reawakened to the hope, which is not candid optimism but a well-grounded belief in our assembled potentials for change. Examples of real solutions and the commitment of people working toward a sustainable future reminded me that I am not alone in this journey. It has inspired me to look ahead with resolve, knowing full well even the smallest actions can contribute to a larger movement.

I look forward to the years ahead, when I will be able to reflect on having done something about these challenges-together with others-constructing a future in which we can believe.

About NICOLA CARLETTI

As a passionate Chemical and Materials Engineering student, I am committed to applying my knowledge and talents to make a difference in the field of science and technology. I am driven by the desire to contribute to a sustainable world with a more circular economy, and I am eager to apply my skills in roles that align with this mission. I am currently enrolling in the MSc program Advanced Materials: Innovative Recycling (AMIR) at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

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The experience of “The Week” documentaries will surely be one of the things I will always remember about this master’s degree.It was both an awakening to the gravity of our environmental crisis and a call to connect with others in search of meaningful action.

At first, after watching the first documentary, I ended up really sad and worried. It had such an impact on me that I couldn’t stop thinking about my future, my future children’s future, my little cousins’ future… the future of all the people I love. I felt a huge weight, as if I suddenly realized what the climate crisis really means, and how much it will affect us all if we don’t act together. I was overcome with a deep fear and a great sadness for what we could lose.

This descent into the darker side of the ‘U’ was challenging but necessary.

However, as we moved into the following chapters, that initial sadness changed into something else. During the second documentary, even as we continued to delve deeper into the causes and complexity of the problem, I began to feel that this sadness and concern was turning into something different: a clearer understanding and, surprisingly, a kind of inner strength. I began to understand the importance of questioning the norms and values that have brought us to this point and reminded myself of the need to better align my life choices with my values.

Watching the third chapter, I realized that, despite what we face, there are solutions, there are people working for change, and that I and my whole class, even the whole population, can be part of that. I regained hope, and it was a huge relief.

Overall, “The Week” helped me realize that I don’t have to have all the answers or go on this journey alone. I am inspired to keep looking for ways to make a difference and to remember the power of shared understanding and action.

Ten years from now, I hope to look back and feel that I have been part of a movement that has not run away from the challenges of our time, but has faced them, together.

About Bárbara Billón de Blas

I am Bárbara Billón, from Spain. Since I was little, I've always had a very special connection with the environment and with nature, a connection that now has become a passion. That's why I studied environmental engineering, and the reason I am currently studying this Master in Circular Economy. I am eager to apply this expertise to make a positive, lasting impact on our world.

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Watching the #week video during my last class has deepened my understanding of the urgency and potential impact of sustainable practices. It reinforced the idea that adopting circular economy principles (such as reducing waste, extending product life cycles, and rethinking material sourcing) is essential not just for environmental health, but also for building resilient economies.

Moving forward, I am more committed than ever to seeking solutions that prioritize material recovery, renewable resources, and zero-waste processes. Whether in materials science, supply chain management, or manufacturing, my goal is to design and advocate for systems that contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing reliance on finite resources and minimizing carbon footprints. Ultimately, this perspective will guide my career path, pushing me to pursue innovations that are not only effective but sustainable and beneficial to both people and the planet.

Looking to the future, I am deeply committed to advancing sustainable solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. In the health sector, I envision developing biodegradable polymers for medical implants, as my undergraduate work on hydroxyapatite reinforced composites has already shown promising applications in bio-based materials. In manufacturing and industrialization, I plan to promote the shift from linear to circular models, advocating for the use of recycled and bio-based plastics to reduce resource depletion and minimize waste. The supply chain, too, holds great potential for sustainable transformation. By integrating circular economy principles into product lifecycles—from material sourcing to end-of-life management—I believe we can create resilient, low-impact systems that mitigate environmental harm.

In a sum, I am motivated by a vision of a world where materials and processes contribute positively to both industrial progress and environmental stewardship. My commitment to sustainability, reinforced by a foundation in polymer chemistry and materials science, guides my professional path toward innovative and impactful solutions for a sustainable future.

About NNABUIKE LINUS ONUH

Howdy!! My name is Linus, I am an Advanced Materials and Innovative Recycling master’s student at both the University of Miskolc and Polytechnic University of Madrid. I have a background in Materials Science and Engineering specializing in soft matter, polymer and composite materials synthesis, production, characterization, sustainable recycling, and upcycling for circular economy. I am adept at carrying out research works on optimizing various manufacturing processes to enhance polymer properties, improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact. I am excited to contribute to a world where sustainable choices are not only possible but practical and scalable.

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