We are now (less than) 2 weeks out from the trek to Iceland!
Although I have not yet wrapped my head around the fact that this trip is happening–and so soon at that–I feel the excitement and energy building as we approach our departure date. We were recently provided with an approximate itinerary, and reading about some of the places we have the opportunity to visit has aided the process of both mentally and physically preparing for what is to come.
While there, I am most excited to visit the Hellisheiði Power Station which is a geothermal energy supplier. It is the largest of its kind in Iceland and the 8th largest in the world. This excitement is a bit of a surprise to me seeing as in 8th grade I was assigned a project on geothermal energy, and I recall being rather frustrated that it was a comparatively lesser-known power source than those of my classmates. However, now taking classes that investigate some of its underlying principles and being immersed in the expansive field of engineering, I have an unfathomably different perspective. It is difficult to imagine that the first power plant I will step foot in will be what I once resented, but I think it is rather telling of what educational growth truly means. I expect my perspective to continue to change throughout the continuation of my education, and it is classes akin to this one where that change is made most possible.
Given the focus on not only engineering practices and processes but also the history and culture of Iceland, this class offers a level of meaning and depth that is sometimes difficult to find in traditional STEM classes. I am eager to learn in this kind of setting and to explore topics at the intersection of such diverse topics. This course stimulates thinking about how the backgrounds of culture, society, politics, and geography govern decision-making for sustainable solutions, and I am interested in being prompted to discuss these considerations with regard to the field we are studying. I aspire to approach my future career with a firm grasp on the different manners in which varying communities address commonly experienced issues, and this course sets out to instill that understanding in the participating students.
I am incredibly excited to be immersed in the professional, academic, and social culture of Iceland and to continue developing my perspective of engineering and the global community. This is an amazing and unique opportunity that I am extremely grateful to have, and I cannot wait to fully experience what both this trip and class have to offer.
Swanson School of Engineering 