Study abroad students in Spain meet visionary leader of 80edays project
Rafael Mastre is set on showing the world that sustainable technology is the future of international travel — and a peaceful world. His 80edays project began in 2012, which inspires onlookers with a series of races that circled the world. In 2016, he used all-electric roadster to complete a 29,000 km rally across 20 countries and three continents in just 80 days. Today, he’s using a promotional tour that uses the same Roadster he started to continue the adventure.
University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) students in the Bilbao program got to meet Mastre during his stop in Spain. Néstor Lazaro, finance professor and vice president for international relations of the Spanish Association of Electric Vehicles, arranged for students to meet him and see the vehicle in person.
“Today we have been visited by Rafael Mastre and his adventurous team who are in the middle of their 80 days around the world trip on electric cars, just arrived from China,” Lazaro said in a post on LinkedIn. “Taking the time and courage to explore the world as a traveler, not just a tourist, is one of the most enriching and life-changing experiences one can have. It’s not only the variety of cultures and landscapes that are eye-opening but especially the people you meet along the way.”
“You it doesn’t matter if you go to Kazakhstan, or Russia, or China, or America, you will find always nice people.” Mastre said during his presentation. “This is my message to you. If you travel you will have nice experiences — not because of the nice weather. You have will have nice experiences because you meet someone who is nice to you and you well get friends. This is my one message: Travel around the world and get friends. And if every has a friend, you will not have war anymore.”
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- Bilbao, Spain
- Academic areas:
Education and Human Services - USAC Green Pact and its commitment to sustainably
