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I spent the summer working with Global Treks and Adventures both working with hands-on research in the beautiful and geologically-rich country of Iceland and working with a team of editors to learn what goes into publishing articles.
The experience began with a week of on-site fieldwork. This included visiting the largest geothermal energy plant and getting walked through the system by a team of scientists. Geothermal energy brings heat and electricity to Iceland making it one of the most renewable and energy-efficient countries. We also went on several hikes, mapping them with GIS technology and documenting other features along the way. where I explored geothermal energy systems, sustainable agriculture practices, and the influence of Icelandic folklore on local communities and landscapes.
Where I specialized my research was the relationship between Icelandic culture and folklore with the environment. This included reading Icelandic writing and looking at pieces of art as well as the landscapes that inspired the writers, researching the folklore behind popular tourists destinations and highlighting signage or information on this and looking at new greenhouse technology as well as the Icelandic Agricultural College to gauge how they incorporate sustainable agriculture in a place that doesn't support tradition agriculture.
I then spent several weeks developing articles tailored to travelers and sustainability-minded audiences, covering topics such as eco-conscious tourism, the relationship between literature and the environment, and the cultural narratives behind popular destinations. This internship deepened my understanding of how environmental and cultural sustainability intersect and strengthened my skills in research-driven storytelling for public audiences.