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.

Journeying Through Iceland’s Glacial Majesty

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Stepping onto the glacier, I felt a rush of exhilaration mingle with a tinge of apprehension. The ice stretched out before me, vast and imposing, its surface adorned with shimmering patterns carved by nature’s hand. With each step, the crunch of snow beneath my feet echoed in the crisp mountain air, a rhythmic symphony that seemed to reverberate through the frozen landscape. Secure in my crampons, I ventured forward, the metal spikes biting into the ice with each careful stride, anchoring me to the glacier’s icy embrace.

As I traversed the glacier, surrounded by towering walls of ice and snow-capped peaks, a sense of awe washed over me. This frozen wilderness, untouched by time, held within its icy depths secrets as old as the earth itself. With each passing moment, I found myself humbled by the sheer magnitude of nature’s power, reminded of my own insignificance in the face of such grandeur. Yet, in that moment, I also felt a profound connection to the glacier beneath my feet, as if I were tapping into the pulse of the earth itself.

With each crunch of snow and each grip of my crampons, I forged ahead, determined to immerse myself fully in this frozen world. As I traced my path across the glacier, I marveled at the beauty and resilience of the ice, its crystalline surface shimmering in the soft glow of the sun. And as I finally paused to catch my breath, surrounded by the silence of the glacier, I knew that this would be a moment etched into my memory forever—a testament to the raw power and indomitable spirit of Iceland’s icy wilderness.

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Bundled up in layers against the biting chill, my friend and I embarked on an exhilarating adventure across Iceland’s glacier landscape. Strapping on our helmets and securing our goggles, we revved up our snowmobiles, eager to explore the frozen wilderness stretching out before us. With a roar, we surged forward, the pristine snowscape unfolding in a blur of white beneath our wheels.

As we raced across the glacier, the wind whipped through our hair, carrying with it the scent of pure, untouched snow. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I navigated the twists and turns of the icy terrain, the powerful hum of the snowmobile beneath me adding to the thrill of the ride. Beside me, my friend whooped with joy, her laughter echoing off the towering walls of ice that surrounded us.

With each twist and turn, each burst of speed, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me—a freedom born of the vast, untamed beauty of the Icelandic wilderness. As we finally came to a stop, breathless and exhilarated, I glanced around at the breathtaking panorama spread out before us—the snow-capped peaks, the endless expanse of glacier, the infinite sky stretching out overhead. In that moment, I knew that our snowmobiling adventure had not only been a thrilling experience but something we will remember forever.

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Venturing into the heart of Iceland’s icy realm, my friends and I embarked on a journey that promised to reveal the hidden wonders lurking beneath the surface. As we donned our insulated gear and followed our guide into the mouth of the ice cave, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air. The icy walls loomed overhead, their jagged contours illuminated by the soft glow of our headlamps, casting eerie shadows that danced across the frozen landscape.

Inside the cave, a world of crystalline beauty unfolded before us—a mesmerizing labyrinth of ice and light sculpted by the relentless forces of nature. Icy stalactites dripped from the ceiling like delicate chandeliers, while frozen waterfalls cascaded down the walls in shimmering ribbons of blue and white. With each step, the crunch of ice beneath our boots echoed in the cavernous space, a haunting melody that seemed to resonate with the very heartbeat of the earth.

As we ventured deeper into the cave, guided by the dim light filtering through the translucent ice, a sense of wonder enveloped us. Here, in this frozen sanctuary hidden from the outside world, time seemed to stand still, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy blurred. It was a place of magic and mystery, where the raw power of nature held sway, and for a fleeting moment, we were granted a glimpse into the secrets of the frozen world.