Alexia Bohnenkamper
  • Environmental Earth Science
  • Class of 2018
  • Bantam, CT

Eastern Student Alexia Bohnenkamper of Bantam Completes Global Field Course to Iceland

2016 Jul 13

In May, a number of students accompanied three faculty members from the Department of Environmental Earth Sciences (EES) to Iceland to study geology. This was the department's first trip to Iceland and marked a new chapter in its efforts to expand and diversify experiential learning opportunities for EES majors.

Alexia Bohnenkamper '18 of Bantam was among these students. Bohnenkamper's major is Environmental Earth Science.

The group visited the Reykjanes Peninsula and soaked in the famous Blue Lagoon spa. Eash day the group was treated to Iceland's gorgeous natural scenery, volcanoes of every size and type, incredibly raw tectonic landscapes, vast icecaps, glaciers and thunderous waterfalls. They also took time to experience Iceland's modern society, which has managed to develop an thriving sustainable lifestyle in one of Earth's harshest environments.

"The trip was a wonderful learning experience and a true geo-adventure for our students," said Professor Dickson Cunningham. Students climbed volcanoes, walked on a glacier, sailed past icebergs, scampered behind waterfalls, tiptoed past hot springs and geysers, stared in awe at huge volcanic cliffs on black sand beaches and stood on the rift boundary that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. They also examined traditional Icelandic folklore and society, visited a modern geothermal power plant and explored Reykjavik's attractive city culture.

"Iceland never disappoints its visitors and while we all felt fulfilled by our group experience, there was also some sadness in leaving such a marvelous country," said Cunningham. "As we took off to return home, a few of us gazed out the window hoping to see one last puffin!"