Professor Polack
Professor Polack, a distinguished computer science professor at the University of Mary Washington, possesses a deep curiosity for global exploration. Driven by a desire to broaden her understanding of different cultures and technological landscapes, she aspires to study abroad in countries across the world. Professor Polack's ambition to study abroad exemplifies her commitment to enriching both his own academic perspectives and the field of computer science as a whole.
View UMW Trip 2024
Iceland, where we spent weeks exploring the stunning landscapes of this Nordic island. One of the highlights of the trip was driving around the famous ring road, a 1,332-kilometer highway that circles the entire country. Along the way, we marveled at cascading waterfalls, rugged coastlines, and towering glaciers. We had the chance to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture, sampling traditional cuisine and learning about the country's history and geology. This unforgettable journey through Iceland's dramatic beauty left a lasting impression all of us.
View UMW Trip 2023
After leading a study abroad trip to Brazil and Argentina, where the students explored the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest, embarked on a captivating river cruise along the Amazon, and marveled at the breathtaking Iguazu Falls from both sides of the border, Professor Polack decided to create a photo book. With meticulous attention to detail, he curated a collection of photographs capturing the vibrant landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and joyous moments of the trip. I aimed to provide a visual narrative that would forever remind the students of their remarkable journey.

911 Call

One part that I regretfully forgot to include in my afternoon on the Amazon blog post was the inclusion of someone getting their finger bit off by a piranha! Our guide had told us time and time again to be careful with the razor sharp teeth that the piranha has and to be careful specifically with our hands. Well, someone didn’t heed the warnings and lost a finger to a hungry piranha. I managed to get my hands on the 911 call that I made to Brazilian authorities.

I was surprised to find out when I called that they spoke English, and that they would be able to reach us at the boat, wherever we were in the middle of the Amazon. Being in such a desolate and “off the beaten path” area of the world, the abilities of medics to get there and help the individual who had just lost their finger was impressive. They quickly arrived and while the poor person who lost their finger was not able to get it back, they were able to get stitched back together and were expected to make a fully recovery.