Chemistry Students Experience Europe During Summer Abroad
November 2009 —For two Penn State Science students, summer wasn't a typical vacation, but instead a study abroad experience to remember. Michelle Knabb and Paul Chiarulli, both seniors majoring in chemistry, chose to spend their summer conducting research in a chemistry lab across the Atlantic in the Sussex International Summer School (ISS) at the University of Sussex in England.
Paul Chiarulli (left) and Michell Knab(right)
Prior to her study abroad experience, Michelle Knabb spent two summers conducting research at Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and two years in the chemistry labs at Penn State. Due to her extensive undergraduate research experience and her interest in biogeochemistry, Michelle landed a spot in Dr. John Zhou’s lab at Sussex in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science. For eight weeks Michelle and her lab worked to develop a better method for analyzing pharmaceuticals in stream sediments.
Although Michelle and her group could not completely finish their project due to an instrument break down, she was able to start drafting a paper on the results they had already collected. While she had plenty of experience working in a lab, this was the first time Michelle had the opportunity to write a scientific paper for publication.
Michelle also had the opportunity to participate in activites outside of the research lab. The ISS program set up many organized trips for the summer students, including weekend outings to Stonehenge, Bath, and even Paris.
Despite all of the positive experiences Michelle had during her trip, intially she still had fears, “I was born in Pennsylvania, I went to school at Penn State, and I had never been abroad before, so the prospect of doing research internationally was scary at first.”
Even though she was out of her comfort zone, Michelle believes the whole experience made her more independent and definitely more self-confident. Through her study abroad experience, Michelle not only gained valuable work experience, but immersed herself in a different culture and established many international relationships that she will always remember.
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Paul Chiarulli was also out of his comfort zone during his eight-week stay in England, but when asked if he would do it all over again, there is no hesitation in his voice when he quickly responds, "Definitely."
While at ISS, Paul worked with Professor Sue Hartley studying the interaction between voles and grasses. For those who are not rodent experts, a vole is small rodent that resembles a mouse. Working alongside two post docs and six Ph.D. students, Paul measured silica uptake in plants and studied how different concentrations altered the behavior of voles that fed on them.
While in the lab, daily activities included the use of light microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, flash combustion and gas chromatographic separation, all techniques he will utilize in the future. In addition to the lab work, Paul was required to work with animals, which included him chasing the wild voles in the English countryside. Quite the experience!
Although he was require to be in the lab every day, Paul was able to manage his time well and experience European culture by traveling throughout England and the Czech Republic. His advice to future study abroad students is to, "Balance your time!"
For Paul, the study abroad experience was personally and professionally rewarding, “Overall I felt like the experience broadened my horizons as a scientist.”
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Science students have lots of opportunities to gain international experiences during the summer and the academic year. For more information about the Sussex International Summer School (ISS) or other study abroad options for science students, visit scienceengagement.psu.edu or contact Susan Knell, Director of Science Career & International Education, at sek104@science.psu.edu.