Sharon Lavoie, a biology major from Madawaska, had never been abroad, but when she made the jump, she jumped quite a ways—all the way to The Netherlands. Along with biology professor, Dr. Stuart Gelder, Sharon attended the 9th International Symposium on Aquatic Oligochaetes in Wageningen, The Netherlands. Sharon and Dr. Gelder presented a joint paper at the conference that came about from the research she had done in one of Dr. Gelder’s advanced biology courses. Not only did Sharon get to rub elbows with some of the top scientists from around the world, she also got a taste of northwestern Europe. “The Netherlands is a beautiful country! I saw a whole new culture and tried food I would never have tried before.” The experience of a major scientific gathering will be beneficial as Sharon plans for her next educational step into graduate school. And her cultural encounter in a foreign land will broaden her perspective and create memories for a lifetime. Meet other adventurous learners
|