TGP combines hands-on learning and classroom education, giving students opportunities to delve into their sustainability interests and make life-long friends around the world.
By 3rd-year student Anna Nielsen
I was given the opportunity through The GREEN Program to travel to the Icelandic School of Energy at Reykjavik University during the Spring Break of 2022 to learn about Iceland's sustainable development and what was being implemented in the country. I visited one of Iceland's largest geothermal and historic hydroelectric power plant, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, learned about soil conservation, visited the hot springs in Reykjadalur, hiked a glacier at Sólheimajökulll, explored waterfalls in Skógafoss, and got to tour and take lectures at Reykjavik University.
I also participated in an interdisciplinary capstone project, taking a real-world sustainable challenge and creating a business model to solve it. This is always a great point in professional interviews. It allowed me to explore my passion for my academic and professional background and my passion for solving real-world sustainability challenges. Our team comprised two undergraduate students and two graduate students, all majoring in different subjects: Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Energy and the Environment. Because of the crossovers between our majors, we decided to focus on a proposal to transition a small Hawaiian community, Moloka'i, to rely solely on solar energy.
One of the significant flaws in Hawaii's current energy initiative of carbon neutrality by 2045 is that the state currently relies on external financial support from mainland American companies. Our research and proposal attempted to fix this by reorienting the current requirements for funding. Our proposed changes would start with providing micro-loans to households, allowing them to develop their homes with solar panels rather than the traditional route of allocated grants.
Throughout this capstone project, I learned how to critically read government documents regarding sustainable energy and work with a group of peers I had met a week prior. I learned about the importance of community-oriented goals and how sustainability efforts are not a one-size-fits-all model and need to be adaptable to individual community goals.
In addition to being a rewarding educational experience abroad, I was able to go on adventures and have connecting cultural experiences. This was one of the reasons why I loved The GREEN Program because we were able to get such hands-on experience immersed in a culture that I had never experienced before. The program facilitated epic adventures such as a glacier hike, a geothermal hike to natural hot springs, a visit to the famous local geothermal pools, a drive through the Golden Circle, an off-road jeep tour to the black sand beach, and an exploration through downtown Reykjavik.
Now after the program, I, like most other past participants, am still involved with The GREEN Program through the professional development platform: weekly newsletters on jobs and internships, and even with this leadership program for which I am an ambassador. They also offer online certificate courses such as the Ethics of Sustainable Development, a 2-week intensive course with professors from Kathmandu University.
To anyone interested in studying abroad and furthering their sustainability education, I would encourage you to check out The GREEN Program!
Anna Nielsen is a 3rd year student at the UVA School of Architecture, majoring in Architecture (Pre-Professional) and double minoring in Studio Art (Photography and New Media Concentrations) and Global Sustainability. The last two semesters (Fall 2022 and Spring 2023), she has been a Student Ambassador for The GREEN Program as a part of their extended Leadership Program.