Swanson School of Engineering

Iceland is a country with a deep and rich history that is rarely discussed or examined, at least in the United States. The opportunity to explore the unique country provides a great basis for eating the culture and philosophy of getting the most out of the harsh landscape while practicing concepts of sustainability. I look forward to seeing all of the unique geological features and how they’ve been adapted to best serve the people of Iceland. The natural features like the diamond beach, the waterfalls, and the icebergs all would be fantastic sight seeing as it is very unfamiliar to me. This includes the incredible technology of harnessing the vast geothermal power to both heat and power much of the country. The geothermal powerplant is a great representation of how what we have learned in courses like thermodynamics, thermal system design, and others can be used to get the most out of clean energy. This shows how creativity can lead to brilliant solutions for the problems of tomorrow. It is easy to lean towards more familiar technologies of coal, natural gas, and nuclear when thinking of how best to power all of the new technologies around us, however, this leads to limited thinking that both limits our own curiosity and could potentially harm the planet. To only want to learn of the scientific/engineering feats of Iceland would lead to missing much of the learning that could be had on the trip. The culture and practices of Iceland are different from our own and understanding how their culture works and was formed could lead to a better understanding of our own beliefs and an overall more open mindset. Harsh conditions and a historic naval-based culture have created a deep history that seems beyond fascinating. To choose just one primary item to want to explore would be self-constraining. Overall, the whole experience seems a fantastic way to both intellectually and culturally learn and grow from it.