by Maya Zimmerman ’21

“Our days were filled with completing hands-on studies and experiments, climbing glaciers, and trekking to hidden waterfalls and geysers,” Maya Zimmerman ’21 says about her study-abroad experience in Keflavík, Iceland.

or this born-and-raised California girl, the first time I heard the name Swarthmore, I thought, How do you pronounce it again? But research and a campus visit where I encountered a supportive and hardworking student body convinced me that this was where I wanted to spend my college years.

“Our days were filled with completing hands-on studies and experiments, climbing glaciers, and trekking to hidden waterfalls and geysers,” Maya Zimmerman ’21 says about her study-abroad experience in Keflavík, Iceland.

During my first semester, the cross-country team helped me acclimate socially, but it was up to me to find my place academically. I selected courses from diverse subjects including biology, statistics, and education, then narrowed my focus as a sophomore to pursue a pre-med track with a neuroscience major. That lasted about … one semester, before I frantically changed plans and decided to double-major in biology and environmental studies.

As I looked to study abroad my junior fall, the possibilities seemed endless. With guidance from my advisers, friends, and family, I chose “Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic.” This program offered hands-on environmental research in the company of like-minded peers and mentors.

I arrived in the martian landscape of Keflavík, Iceland, in August 2019. During my three months there, I immersed myself in the culture, engaged with foreign scientists and politicians, and learned firsthand about the future of the Arctic in our rapidly changing world. Our days were filled with studies and experiments, climbing glaciers, and trekking to hidden waterfalls and geysers.

My short time spent in the land of ice and snow was full of endless learning and exploration, culminating with my final paper and presentation, “The Impacts of Anthropogenic Activity on the Distribution of Microplastics in the Ocean.” I felt more directed and passionate about continuing this type of work and research in the future.

Building on my abroad experience, I was selected to participate in NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) for summer 2020. While NASA is known for its research in outer space, it turns out NASA does earth science, too!

SARP created the perfect atmosphere (no pun intended) for my earth science career to take shape. With the support of my amazing mentors and peers, I completed a research project on the climate effects of the 2020 Saharan Air Layer. I also took part in an air-sample collection program and co-authored two papers tracking changes in emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown. Over the course of the summer, we had the opportunity to engage with several NASA scientists, including current astronaut Jonny Kim.

What lies beyond Swarthmore? I don’t feel fully qualified to answer that yet. My ultimate goal is to conduct valuable research that can be used to educate others, spread awareness, and make a difference in the world. I know that the people I’ve met, the knowledge I’ve gained, and the experiences I’ve had here will guide me in that next phase of life.