Investigating Iceland

Ohio Wesleyan Students Complete Earth Science Course with Travel to the Nordic Nation

Ohio Wesleyan students explore the Haukadalur Geothermal Field in Iceland as part of an OWU Travel-Learning Course led by Professor Nathan Rowley (front). Students participating in the 12-day excursion are (from left) Iris Urton '28, Jade Bryan '27, Cloud Rogers '26, Kyan Crane '27, Lily Bechina '26, Makaylin Bailey '26, Hannah Moore '25, Morgan Vaughn '26, and Sam Conti '26. *(Photo by Laurel Anderson)*

Name: Lily Bechina '26
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: Jones College Preparatory High School
Majors: Environmental Studies and Geography

Experience: Travel-Learning Course providing an "Intro to Earth Science" and concluding with a 12-day trip to Iceland

Ohio Wesleyan hikers visit the Skaftafell Glacier. Exploring the site are (from left) Professor Laurel Anderson, Iris Urton, Cloud Rogers, Hannah Moore, Kyan Crane, Morgan Vaughn, Makaylin Bailey, Jade Bryan, Sam Conti, Lily Bechina, and Professor Nathan Rowley. *(Photo courtesy of Lily Bechina '26)*

During their semester in class, the students explored "fundamental Earth Science processes that produce the landscapes we have on our planet … including the rock cycle, plate tectonics and volcanism, ocean currents, glaciers, and erosion," according to the course description. "Iceland is a microcosm of our wild planet as it holds many of the landscapes covered in the course, thus making it an ideal case study on the discovery of Earth's processes."

Bechina traveled to the Nordic island nation in May with OWU students Makaylin Bailey '26 of Marengo, Ohio; Jade Bryan '27 of Lorena, Texas; Sam Conti '26 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kyan Crane '27 of North Martinsville, West Virginia; Hannah Moore '25 of West Chester, Ohio; Cloud Rogers '26 of Columbus, Ohio; Iris Urton '28 of Powell, Ohio; and Morgan Vaughn '26 of Belleville, Michigan.

They traveled with Nathan Rowley, Ph.D., assistant professor of , and Laurel "Laurie" Anderson, Ph.D., professor of . Of the professors, Bechina said: "They were AMAZING. The trip was for Dr. Rowley's class, so he led it, but Dr. Anderson had wonderful input throughout on the ecology side of things."

It makes a huge difference actually climbing the mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls/streams that we talk about in class.

Lily Bechina '26

Why This Experience?

"This opportunity was meaningful to me because I enjoyed learning Earth Science in the classroom, but applying it in the real world was extremely rewarding," Bechina said. "It makes a huge difference actually climbing the mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls/streams that we talk about in class. When we learn about these in class, they seem too far away and foreign, so when I saw them in the real world, I was in awe.

"Earth Science was one of my absolute favorite classes I have taken at OWU, so when I heard there was going to be a travel-learning course for it, I knew I had to go on the trip."

Ohio Wesleyan student Lily Bechina '26 stands at the base of the Skógafoss waterfall, one of the sites she explored in Iceland as part of an OWU Travel-Learning Course exploring Earth Science processes. *(Photo by Hannah Moore '25)*

Favorite Moments

"One of my favorite parts of the trip was seeing all the different waterfalls. I don't actually think I had seen a waterfall before this trip, and they were amazing displays of the power of nature.

"In particular, at Skógafoss, we hiked up the side of the waterfall and along the stream that fed it for a few miles. This was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. Every time I looked up and back at the stream, it became even more beautiful.

"I also thought it was very cool that I touched cold glacial meltwater in between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates in the same day that I touched warm water from a geyser. And lastly, when we hiked a recently erupted volcano, we walked on the lava rock that had cracks in it where you could put your hand and feel the warmth of the still-cooling lava."

Lessons Learned

"This experience showed me just how valuable it is to get outside of the classroom to learn. Concepts really come together when the world becomes your classroom.

"For me personally, this showed me that I want a career where I can be outside like this and experience new things regularly. In terms of things learned tied to my classroom learning, that was endless. I felt as if I retook the whole course in 10 days."

Ohio Wesleyan travelers hike along the stream that feeds into Iceland's Skógafoss waterfall. Making the trek are (front row, from left) Makaylin Bailey, Hannah Moore, and Jade Bryan. Second row: Lily Bechina, Sam Conti, Morgan Vaughn, Kyan Crane, Cloud Rogers, and Iris Urton. *(Photo by Nathan Rowley)*

Campus Involvements

"Volleyball team, Tri Delta sorority, Ski Club"

Why Ohio Wesleyan?

"I chose OWU because of the small class sizes where I knew I would be able to connect with my professors, the endless travel opportunities, and the welcoming volleyball team."

Plans After Graduation

"I plan to attend graduate school after graduation. I have been to several conferences with Dr. Rowley and other students where I have been able to present my research, expand my resume, and make connections. The research I have done with Dr. Rowley has prepared me for graduate school."