J.D. Mendez, Head of the IU Columbus Science Division and two-time Fulbright Award winner, spearheads the program, which includes teaching Chemistry 252 and leading students in hands-on research with naturally occurring plastics. As a scholar of biopolymers, Mendez has worked closely with the Tallinn (Estonia) University of Technology—it’s the location of his first Fulbright trip—and he’s looking forward to returning to the quaint, wall-in city with a group of students.
The trip goes from May 19 to June 8. Students will live in the dorms (private room, shared bathroom) on the University of Technology campus, along with UT Tallinn students who will still be in their spring semester. The IU Columbus group will work closely with graduate-student mentors; Mendez noted that UT Tallinn has the only English-language graduate program in the country and attracts students from all over the world.
“Tallinn is a wonderful city, it’s not too big, not too small,” Mendez said. “People are friendly, welcoming and most speak English. This is an amazing opportunity not only to learn about biopolymers and do hands-on research, but to explore a fascinating part of the world.Tallinn is a wonderful city, it’s not too big, not too small. People are friendly, welcoming and most speak English. This is an amazing opportunity not only to learn about biopolymers and do hands-on research, but to explore a fascinating part of the world.
On class days, students can expect a short lecture in the morning, followed by time in the lab with their mentors. In the afternoons, they will collect specimens in the forests, visit local industries and tour museums.
On the two weekends of the trip, Mendez will take the group on getaways to surrounding areas. One weekend, they’ll take a 2-hour ferry trip to visit Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The other weekend, they’ll take a 1.5-hour bus trip to the beach town of Pärnu.
This is the first post-pandemic study abroad trip offered by IU Columbus. It’s open to all Indiana University students, though Mendez says he hopes a large showing of IU Columbus students chose to participate.
Scholarships and financial aid are available.
Visit the program website.