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.

Creeping up on a caiman

The origins of this photo are funny, and somewhat scary. We were out on the morning safari, shortly after a piranha invited itself onto the boat, when Tamara recommended I get in to take a picture with a Caiman. Piro, our guide, encouraged me too! I was nervous but since the guide also recommended, I slowly got into the water trying not to spook the caiman.

Now this picture may seem deceiving, it makes me look significantly smaller than the caiman but I’m telling you that Tamara took this photo, and it is real scale, that is just how large the caiman is. I was pretty scared, as you can tell from my face. But I loved being able to get into the Amazon and swim with this seemingly incredibly hostile animal. But, like I said in the barrel post, I am here to tell the story!

This portion of the trip was awesome, being encouraged by friends, new friends, and the guides to try new things and not be afraid was awesome. While this story may stretch the truth a little bit, that statement remains true. Being able to fish for the most dangerous fish in the world, getting up close with caimans, and being inches away from lethal animals was unmatched.