Iceland: A geologic marvel

It is no coincidence that Jules Verne used Iceland as a gateway to the Earth’s core in his novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Exeter travelers to Iceland, in partnership with GeoCamp Iceland, experienced one of the most visibly geological active places in the world in a place that not only inspires imagination but also provides an active showcase on earth formation, access to unique geological areas and use of indigenous renewable energy resources.

Students were introduced to the unique and vibrant geology of Iceland and witnessed the regional impact of climate change, environmental challenges and sustainability measures. The group visited some of the youngest landmass on Earth, observed the impact of warmer climate on the island’s glaciers, learned about natural hazards in the Westman Islands, listened to sagas that inspired both Tolkien and the Marvel movies, and experienced culture and museums in Reykjavik. Together they relaxed in geothermal pools, experienced breathtaking waterfalls and savored the tranquility of unspoiled natural wonders.

“[It] was my first time outside of America, and the journey affected me more than I thought it would,” Levi ’28 said. “The awe-inspiring landscape, the rich and layered culture, the close-knit community and the delicious food all added up to an exquisite trip. But what I enjoyed most was exploring a beautiful foreign land with a group of new friends. In particular, I remember a steep hike on the Westman Islands that rewarded us with gorgeous vistas of mossy cliffs — and puffins! My largest takeaway from that hike was not the beautiful views though but the importance of determination and grit that kept us together from start to end.”

Principal Bill Rawson was one of the chaperones on the excursion. “It was a very special experience exploring a new country with 15 curious Exonians,” Rawson said. “We were all learners every step of the way. And for me, it was quite special observing firsthand the impact our global studies programs have on our students.”

Taiwan: Immersion therapy

Taipei — the economic, political and cultural center of Taiwan — is known for its rich history, vibrant cuisine and iconic architectural landmarks. In this three-week immersion program, participants develop their Mandarin Chinese skills and understanding of Taiwanese culture through interactive classes, community-based activities and host family placements in Taipei.

On weekday mornings, students attend three-hour language and culture classes; in the afternoon, they participate in a variety of local activities. Excursions include visits to the National Palace Museum and a local high school and trips to the historic towns of Jiufen and Shifenin. Students make traditional Taiwanese pastries and dishes and participate in a traditional tea ceremony, youth-friendly Karaoke and martial arts lessons; in the evening, they eat dinner and spend time with their host families. Weekend activities with host families include hiking in the mountains of the Shiding district, taking a ferry to Ba Li, going to the beach, visiitng the Taiwan Fine Arts Museum, eating traditional Taiwanese foods and picnicking in the Yangmingshan national park.

“Through learning to fish for shrimp from strangers at a shrimp pond to ordering boba at the night market, I was able to improve my language every day,” Logan ’27 said. “One of my favorite parts of the trip was coming home after a day of Chinese classes and activities to eat dinner with my host family. Dinner would end up taking two hours as we talked about Taiwanese politics, high school and culture over a hot bowl of beef noodle soup. The best part of these conversations is that they were all in Chinese, so I got to learn about Taiwanese culture while my host family helped me practice my Chinese.”

“I am so impressed by students’ rapid growth in their language learning skills and also glad to see them converse with Taiwanese locals with confidence and curiosity,” said Ning Zhou, instructor in modern languages at Exeter. “Like my own high school study abroad trip, I know it will be a memorable experience and life asset for students. Students know that in addition to their own home, they have another home in Taipei!”

Yellowstone: From the table to the park

A trip to America’s first and arguably most famous national park offered Introductory Biology students the opportunity to relate their spring-term curriculum to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Selected students spent spring term together in a special section of BIO 230 that approached the curriculum through the lens of the biology happening in the park. They spent a week making day trips into the park and working with instructors from Yellowstone Forever Institute. Topics covered included wolf reintroduction, grizzly bear conservation and the Bison/Brucellosis dynamic. Students had the opportunity to see thermal features such as Mammoth Hot Springs. They also contributed to a citizen science project to monitor the effects of climate change in the park.

Thinking about the value of studying ecosystems of Yellowstone in class together before traveling to the park, Anvi ‘28 reflected, “By learning about niches and resource partitioning, I could understand the habitats of animals in Yellowstone. Additionally, keystone species and ecosystem engineering helped me understand what the wallows of buffalo do for the environment as I saw them wallow. The study of climax community, and especially us in class talking about pyroclimax communities, helped me understand why so many lodgepole pines were in areas affected by fire, for example. In terms of other terms of biology, the ideas of selective breeding helped me understand more about the cattle at the ranch, and the study of digestive systems in the winter helped me understand how different animals (herbivores, omnivores, carnivores) digestive food and expel it at different rates.”

Greece: Digging into their work

Experiential learning often requires students to get their hands dirty, some more than others. Three Exeter students who have joined an excavation at the Sanctuary of Zeus and Sanctuary of Pan at Mount Lykaion in Arcadia, Greece, under the auspices of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, are quite literally digging into their studies.

The trio and an Exeter faculty member are spending six weeks this summer with a team from the University of Arizona, directed by Exeter alum David Romano ’65. They are working in the lower mountain meadow, where excavation and survey has been underway. Mount Lykaion and the sanctuary was a destination for ancient Greeks to worship annually. Temples, altars, houses for attendants, fountains and a racetrack for running competitions have been identified along with many objects of daily life and ritual celebrations.

South Korea: Witnessing an Asian powerhouse

Once a recipient of global development aid, the Republic of Korea today is a donor, a true success story of economic growth and industrialization. The country now stands as a global industrial powerhouse, known around the world for advances in shipbuilding, steel working and electronics. The growing popularity of all things Korean, from fashion, beauty products and sneakers, to film, music and cuisine, has made South Korea the preeminent conveyor of “modern Asian culture” to the West.

On a 10-day program, Exonians immersed themselves in the modern world of South Korea while also learning about the fragile peace with North Korea, visiting the Demilitarized Zone, and meeting with defectors from the DPRK. They explored Korean spirituality during an overnight at a Buddhist temple. Buddhism, one of the major religions in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years and is an integral part of Korean culture and has shaped spiritual, ethical and philosophical values.

“I really enjoyed seeing how so many different cultures were so deeply integrated into Korea,” Euphoria ’27 said. “In the food, the language, the art, the architecture, to see how one complete, very prosperous culture came from so many different ones. Going to the DMZ made me realize just how heavy the weight of the Korean War was, especially since learning about it from history classes, you don’t necessarily feel how hard it was for the soldiers and how complicated this truce agreement was. It also made me realize how much history was still so relevant in the present world today.”

Added Alex ’27, “This trip has truly been an unforgettable experience! … What I will truly not forget about this trip are the people. With the little kindergartners who bowed to us in the subway station, or the halmonis [grandmothers] who spoke in broken konglish in the park, it has been incredible to see how culture all over the world is built on its people.”

Berlin: Economics with a German accent

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science. The city has become an entrepreneurial hub over the last decade, and its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations and convention venues.

Exeter’s ECON 502: Principles of Economics and Business course, offered in spring term, was redesigned to increase students’ economic literacy within the German context as an intensive, place-based and experiential learning opportunity. Students studied macro- and microeconomic concepts at work in Germany’s economy and the role that the government play in the country’s economic life. Homework assignments are geared toward the economic history of Germany, recent trends in the German economy, immigration, environmental policy, and the role Germany plays within the European Union. Exonians also study fundamentals of business structure and operation and why some businesses succeed while others do not, the role that businesses can and do play in German society, and the complementary roles of consumer and investor. Guest speakers enhance students’ understanding of the historical and contemporary trends in German economy. The program concludes at the end of June, and students will receive academic credit.

“The program allows us to learn about principles of economics in a classroom setting while also being able to apply our knowledge to the vibrant city of Berlin,” said Ally ’26. “Our group has visited places that have only furthered my interest in the field of economics, whether that be visiting the BMW factory or talking with members of the German parliament and learning more about what they do. Overall, this trip has furthered my passion for economics and has allowed me to gain a new perspective about Germany and the culture and history that makes it what it is today.”

Colorado: Every rock tells a story

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado offer iconic natural panoramas and contain a remarkable geologic record of the evolution of the North American continent. Over the course of one week in mid-July, Exeter students will learn from host and Exeter alum Richard Chuchla ’74 about the mountain-building events that created current landscapes starting almost 2 billion years ago and continuing to the present.

By driving, hiking and rafting through this terrain, students will come to understand how geologic history is unraveled through careful observation and synthesis and appreciate the geologist’s adage that “every rock tells a story.” Key topics covered will include how continental collisions grew mountains and created volcanic events that resulted in the formation of large ore deposits and geothermal systems that we are exploiting today for energy, how mining of these ore deposits has enhanced our lives but has created environmental problems, how relatively recent glaciation has sculpted the Rockies into their current craggy form and how glacial retreat is one of the bellwethers of climate change.