My Academic Expedition to Iceland

Hello family, friends, colleagues, co-learners, and potential supporters,

My name is Lucas Nogueira Balaniuc, a passionate student from Brazil and South Africa, currently living and studying at Denison Univerity in Ohio, USA. I am on a mission to deepen my understanding of international and environmental studies, with a keen interest in climate change mitigation, environmental justice, and sustainable agriculture. Today, I am reaching out to you with a heartfelt request for support in funding a life-changing semester abroad in Iceland (Spring of 2024), a nation at the forefront of renewable energy and sustainable living.

This opportunity is not just a mere academic pursuit; it is a personal calling. Growing up in South Africa, I witnessed firsthand the stark realities of poverty and environmental degradation. My parents, both professors in religious studies, ecology, and feminism, instilled in me the values of compassion and the pursuit of knowledge. They particularly influenced my dedication to understanding the intricate relationship between human rights, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

The $5,500 I am seeking to raise will directly contribute to covering the program fees that my scholarships do not. These funds will enable me to immerse myself in Iceland's innovative approaches to environmental challenges, learn from their successes, and bring back invaluable insights and strategies that can be applied globally, including in my home country. ( Please see below for more information on the Specialized Seminars and Research I will be participating in.)

Your support will not only help me achieve my academic goals but also contribute to the larger fight against climate change. It will allow me to become a more effective advocate for sustainable development, equipped with the knowledge and experience gained from a society that values and acts upon these principles.

I am committed to making the most of this experience by sharing the lessons learned with my community and beyond, striving to make a tangible difference in the world. Every donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to this dream and the collective goal of a healthier, more equitable planet.

Thank you for considering my story and for any support you can provide. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that spans continents and generations.

With gratitude and hope,

Lucas Nogueira Balaniuc '25 (He/Him/His)

B.A. International & Environmental Studies

International Studies Fellow

Program Assistant | Department of Environmental Studies

*Understanding My Study Abroad Program in Iceland: A Focus on Climate Change and Arctic Research

I am excited to share the transformative learning outcomes and key topics of my upcoming study abroad program in Iceland, which I hope will inspire your support on my fundraising journey.

Program Learning Outcomes

Through this immersive program, I will:

- Evaluate carbon management strategies and set new targets for climate goals.

- Utilize advanced software to create climate models, aiding in the understanding of future climate projections.

- Critically analyze climate research literature and place it within its academic and theoretical context.

- Identify and address uncertainties within the field of climate research.

- Explain the physical processes behind climate forcings and explore potential feedback loops in various scenarios.

- Assess the effectiveness and limitations of research on the impact of climate change on ecosystems.

- Undertake a field-based climate change research project, applying ethical research methodologies and tools.

Key Topics and Coursework

The program covers a range of critical topics, including:

- The Arctic's climate, ecosystems, and human interactions.

- Mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

- Ethical scientific research methods and data collection.

- Indigenous perspectives on climate variations.

- Innovative solutions to climate change challenges.

Specialized Seminars and Research

I will engage in specialized seminars such as:

- Climate Modeling and Carbon Management: Analyzing climate models and exploring Iceland's pioneering work in carbon storage and renewable energy.

- The Arctic: Changing Ecosystems and Resilience: Examining the rapid ecological, social, and political changes in the Arctic and community adaptations.

- Research Methods and Ethics in the Arctic: Developing a research proposal on Arctic climate change impacts.

Independent Research Project

The centerpiece of my academic experience will be the “Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection,” where I will:

- Design innovative solutions for Arctic climate protection.

- Collaborate with local scientific and indigenous communities.

- Explore topics such as ice sheet thinning, permafrost melting, and the impact of climate change on traditional lifestyles.

Your support will not only contribute to my academic growth but also to the broader understanding of climate change and its impacts on the Arctic region. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against climate change.

For more detailed information on the program please see https://studyabroad.sit.edu/program/spring-2024-iceland-climate-change-and-the-arctic/

https://www.sit.edu/academics/learning-outcomes/