Grace Gutierrez, an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University, recently completed a four-month research abroad project in Norway. Gutierrez studies forest ecology within the School of Environment and Natural Resources, with a special emphasis in plant interactions with the environment.
Gutierrez went to Norway in June 2023, where she matched with a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She was able to develop her own research project, in which she and her team spent the entire growing season on a mountain in central Norway, studying seedling success and growth in native grass.
Gutierrez explains that this opportunity gave her a more “broad knowledge of ecosystems around the world.” It also allowed her more context for ecosystem restoration globally. She has begun to think about her research in the context of a variety of ecosystems and cultures.
This opportunity was made possible due to TRONDBUSS, a bilateral U.S.-Norway international education initiative between Ohio State’s Molecular Genetics department and NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. Patrice Hamel, the creator of TRONDBUSS says, “I think it really gives another dimension if you go away from your insular world and see how things are done in a different country. You can always travel and have fun, but if you can combine being abroad and being exposed to different cultures, and then also use that time to build your career, your education — that's the best.”
In the future, Gutierrez plans to get her Ph.D. and do a year abroad. She intends to go back to her research lab in Norway to continue research. She says, “International travel allows you to get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to be wrong and ask lots of questions.” Gutierrez says that getting involved in student organizations on campus is also a beneficial way to learn more about research and study abroad opportunities.
Gutierrez is grateful for the “incredible support” from the Sustainability Institute, the TRONDBUSS international research program, and the faculty and staff at NTNU. She says, “The Student Grant funding from The Sustainability Institute greatly helped fund our research supplies.” In addition, financial support covering Grace’s in-country living expenses was made possible through a grant from DIKU (Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education), awarded to the TRONDBUSS program. Finally, Patrice Hamel, Marit Granhaug, Elinar Ellingsen from TRONDBUSS, and Gutierrez’s research advisor Martijn Vandegehuchte all helped make this research opportunity a success.
International Research Internships under TRONDBUSS are now open for applications. In addition to Norway, TRONDBUSS has expanded to offer opportunities in France this year as well. Click here for more information or to apply for an internship. Applications are due February 26, 2024.
Story by Reily Jacobs Bell, SI student communications intern.
Story image used with permission from Grace Gutierrez.