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.

Brazil Tourism Poster

This photo is one of my favorite from our time in Foz do Iguaçu. The natural beauty of this city is just stunning, and really can encapsulate the natural beauty that is just outside of the city, the Iguassu Falls. I decided to create this poster as a poster that the tourism bureau could use as a governmental poster advertising travel to Brazil in general.

I have had the opportunity to go to several different countries on 3 different continents, each offering their own special experiences. But Brazil is certainly one, for its natural beauty, that I would say everyone should visit once in their life. The cities that we got to experience each offered a different experience. I love Manaus because of the wildlife that surrounded it, the animals and the flora, something new each day. Getting to see animals we have only seen in the zoo in their natural habitat, hanging out in a tree or flying around with their life partners was so special. Foz do Iguaçu offered the Iguassu Falls, the magnificence of the natural beauty there extends into three countries, Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

I adored this trip through the diversity of natural beauty we got to experience, and we only saw a very small portion of Brazil, I can only imagine what the rest of the country has to experience. The green, wildlife, the butterflies, the birds, the animals were all incredible. Even if the pink dolphins and monkeys seemed a bit hostile.