Somehow, I am going to Iceland in almost exactly two weeks (as of the date of this post); and I am very excited!
I am most excited to experience Icelands unique culture and customs; and from the perspective of an engineering student, I am excited to explore Iceland’s innovative approach to renewable energy.
As such, I am looking forward to trying Icelandic food and experiencing many unique customs and the Icelandic way of life. Also, one of the biggest highlights for this trip will be visiting the Hellisheiði Power Plant. It will be very cool to see how geothermal power plants work and will be an awesome example of this technology and sustainable engineering in action.
I am also very excited to experience the natural beauty of Iceland, through visits to National Parks, Glaciers, and possibly seeing the Northern Lights. From the pictures I have seen so far, Iceland looks very pretty, and I cannot wait to see these sights in person!
From an academic perspective, I think this trip will be very influential for my educational journey as an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. Engineering is a very fluid field to work in, in the sense that problems and conflicts can appear without much warning. Learning about how the natives of Iceland have had to deal with their unique constraints and problems due to their geographical location will provide valuable insight into dealing with real world engineering problems and constraints.
Ultimately, I strongly believe this program is more than a simple travel opportunity. It is a great chance to immerse myself in a unique culture while gaining an appreciation for sustainable engineering practices. I am very excited for the trip, and I cannot wait to gain new knowledge that will supplement my studies and that will most definitely aid in my future career.
Swanson School of Engineering 