At the time of writing this, I am exactly 2 weeks away from visiting Iceland and I am beyond excited. From the food to the culture to the landscape, Iceland has so much to offer in so little time.
As an engineering student, I am obviously excited about getting a firsthand look into one of the most sustainable energy systems in the world. The geothermal power plant is a model of what sustainable energy can be, while also proving that we can always be advancing engineering in ways that benefit our communities while remaining environmentally friendly.
Beyond solely academics, I think I am most excited about having an opportunity to see the northern lights that close to the artic circle. As many know, the northern lights were slightly visible in Pennsylvania near the end of 2024. The light pollution from the city did not allow me to see them, so the idea of being able to get a clear look at them over the Iceland landscape is very exciting.
I am also very excited to experience Icelandic culture. Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. I can only imagine the difference in dynamics of the people. Dr. Barry told us some mothers will leave their children outside of stores while they shop. The entirety of day-to-day life sounds like something from a movie. While I know nothing is perfect, it sounds nice. Iceland has a rich history and is a melting pot of different cultures. I cannot wait to see how they all come together to create a whole new one.
With a mix of cultures and a unique environment comes great food! I am very excited to try the Icelandic cuisine. They are known for their hot dogs so I will definitely have to try one. I cannot wait to go to a restaurant with their own greenhouse attached. Truly a farm to plate experience! I studied abroad in Belgium previously and the food was incredible and so different from what we have around here. I expect nothing less from Iceland as well!
Overall, I think this trip will expose me to a new culture and geography in incredible ways while still being educational and something I can draw from in the future. As a senior bioengineer on the cellular engineering track, my work is mostly on the benchtop. Programs like this allow me to prove to future employers that I can go beyond the benchtop and pull from multiple sources to find solutions and broaden my knowledge. I think this trip will help me do just that while having fun. I cannot wait for Iceland!
Swanson School of Engineering 