A group of Merrimack College students spent part of their summer break learning about the geology of a Nordic country.
“Environmental Geology in Iceland” is a faculty-led, five-day experience from Aug. 14 through 18 that is part of the College’s short-term study abroad program offered in the summer, first semester and during Spring Break.
Yarianna Burgos Acosta ’26, Patricia “Annie” Towler ’25 and Suzanne Collins ’26 explored Iceland’s world-famous Icelandic blue lagoons, the unique mountain structures of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the majestic Gullfoss and Dyrhólaey waterfalls and Strokkur Geyser and the wide vistas of Thingvellir National Park.
“There’s 21 hours of sunlight this season,” said Burgos Acosta. “We took advantage of all of it.”
Burgos Acosta said the highlight of the trip for her occurred on the final day. Together, the students climbed to the summit of Sólheimajökull glacier, a nearly 1.5-mile trek.
“I’m not a very sporty person,” she said. “It was outside of my comfort zone, for sure. Hiking a glacier was very scary, but it was a proud moment for everyone. I didn’t think I would make it all the way but I did.”
Burgos Acosta came to Merrimack as a Pioneer Scholar to study biochemistry. A native of the Dominican Republic who grew up in Lawrence, Mass., this trip was the first time she ventured outside the United States.
“I liked it so much that I’ve become a global ambassador for the study abroad program,” she said, “so I get to tell students who are thinking about signing up about my experiences.”
