Heidi Roop, ‘07
Appleton, Wisconsin

Heidi Roop is a Geology major and Agrarian Studies special minor who spent a semester abroad in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Vietnam was a real growing experience for me. I lost my Grandmother while I was there and leaving Vietnam and returning again after such a tremendous loss was incredible. It made me appreciate Vietnam in a different way, look at it with new eyes while I gained a new appreciation for home and all of the opportunities I have been afforded thus far in my life.

When:  Spring semester of my junior year (Spring 2006).

Why did you choose to study abroad: I wanted to go abroad to see more of the world. At heart I am a nomad and staying in one place too long is uncomfortable! Also, I wanted a linguistic challenge, a cultural challenge, and a climate challenge - I hate heat, so I knew that if I didn't sign up to live in a HOT country then I never would!

What  language did you speak:  I learned elementary Vietnamese and had English translators in my classes.
 
What did you study: We took courses at the local University, which included several visits to rural farming communities. The focus was on ecology of the Mekong Delta so most of our time was spent studying mangroves and different farming practices throughout the delta. I spent a month in the highlands of Vietnam on the Chinese border where I completed an Independent study on the culinary arts and foods systems of 8 different groups of ethnic minorities.

What next: Graduate work on Arctic geology and climate change!  The summer after Vietnam I went to Svalbard, Norway with the help of CGI. The research I conducted there is the focus of my thesis. So inspired was I by the urgency of understanding the changes in the Arctic environment - and possibly still working out all of the heat from Vietnam - that I wrote a grant to spend the next two years of my life learning about one of the most fascinating places on the planet!