Penn Global Seminars Learning to Love Science Again in Iceland

October 30, 2019
By Ailbhe Yasmin Wallis, CAS '21

PGS - Case Studies in Environmental Sustainability
Travel to Iceland

As an avid hiker, aspiring nature photographer, and now a rising senior in the Earth Science major, I have always considered myself to be an outdoorsy type. When I was accepted to Penn two years ago, I was an idealistic and admittedly naïve 17-year old from Northern California, with big dreams of attending college on the east coast. I was excited by the prospect of an Ivy League education, and eagerly set out to buy my very first pair of snow boots and winter coat. Pressed to find a major that walked the thin line between making my parents proud while being something that I could see myself doing in the long-term, I spent my first semester drifting between majors and generally feeling lost in the new intellectual and academic environment here at Penn. I eventually declared an earth science major with a geology concentration and got to work on my major requirements.

Somewhere along the way in those first two years, as I struggled to get through my introductory science courses, I started to lose sight of all the reasons I was drawn to the natural sciences in the first place. Many weeks, it felt like everything was going wrong- I could never quite get the midterm scores I was hoping for and I started to wonder if Penn had made some grievous mistake in admitting me, a manifestation of my self-doubt that I am sure that many of you can relate to. My decision to apply to a PGS to Iceland was a spur of the moment decision, and I doubted that I would ever actually be accepted thanks to my less than stellar academic record. As a result, I was shocked to receive a notification of my acceptance, realizing at the last minute that I didn’t even have a pair of hiking boots to bring with me.

I can honestly say that my PGS experience changed the trajectory of my life. The course was timed perfectly, as around that time my ongoing struggles with calculus culminated in an admittedly impressive emotional breakdown. I spent countless sleepless nights wondering if I was even capable and intelligent enough to graduate and become a scientist, considering I couldn’t even seem to get a handle on basic derivatives. In part as a result of this timing, my experience in Iceland was both personally impactful and meaningful. The trip itself was unforgettable thanks to the breathtakingly vast landscapes and the packed schedule of awesome activities, which included, among other things, literally scaling a glacier. However, the most impactful aspect of the trip was reminding me of the childlike wonder that I used to have what now seems so long ago, and the intellectual curiosity that drove me to study science in the first place.

I still have difficult days where I question if I am strong enough to get through the next few years, but it helps me to remind myself what I am working towards. It is so easy to get tunnel vision and move through your time here focused on the next assignment/midterm/course/etc. That is part of the reason why I think going abroad is so important. My PGS to Iceland provided me with unforgettable experiences and memories that I look back on when I am feeling especially overwhelmed, and I need that reminder of what this is all for. Whether or not calculus ever makes any sense to me, I hope that during the rest of my time at Penn and into the future, I can continue to experience new traditions, learn about other cultures, and explore new landscapes- whether that be in the name of scientific exploration or just for myself.

PGS Logo

Penn Global Seminars combine intensive semester-long study with a short-term travel component that deepens your understanding of concepts discussed in the classroom. Courses options are available for Penn undergraduate students across majors and years.