By Andi Anderson
A group of students from Purdue University and North Carolina State University are participating in a three-week Sustainable Natural Resources study abroad course across Sweden and Finland. This collaborative program, FNR 46000, is co-taught by faculty from Purdue, NC State, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The course focuses on how climate, terrain, and society affect the use and sustainability of natural resources such as forestry, fisheries, wildlife, mining, and agriculture.
During the first week, students visited Uppsala, Sweden, starting with a tour of the Vattenfall Waste Management and Energy Plant. This state-owned company is transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources like biomass and wind. In Uppsala, students also took part in a cultural scavenger hunt and visited historical sites, including those related to the scientist Carl Linnaeus.
At SLU, students attended a lecture on the Baltic Sea’s ecology, learning about its brackish waters and the challenges facing fisheries. The group then traveled to Öregrund, where they visited the SLU Institute of Coastal Research. Presentations covered topics such as cormorant population management and herring’s vital role in ecosystems.
The students also toured a nuclear power plant and studied the effects of warmer water on aquatic life in a nearby Biotest Lake. On their free day, students explored Gräsö Island and visited local trails and restaurants.
The week concluded with a ferry ride to Åland, Finland, where the group began the next leg of their journey. This immersive program offers students the opportunity to explore sustainability in real-world contexts, working alongside both American and Swedish peers.
As one student put it, “I plan to immerse myself as much as possible on this trip.”
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education