Ohio State student explores Iceland's environment

In July 2025 Natalie Campbell studied in Iceland for two weeks. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program helped fund her trip.

Campbell is currently a student at Ohio State University studying sociology with a double minor in English and society/environmental studies. Her trip to Iceland allowed her to learn how a diverse landscape like Iceland handles environmental issues differently than the United States.

“My experience involved firsthand observations and excursions including hiking and visiting geysers, glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, volcanic rock formations and hot springs. I also learned how the tourism industry can affect natural environments,” Campbell said.

She chose to study in Iceland because other programs are tropical or city-based and she wanted something that was very hands-on and included sightseeing in nature.

“Another reason I chose the program was because I’m interested in environmental sociology, particularly how society impacts the environment and how climate change impacts communities. Iceland is an environmentally diverse country, often nicknamed the ‘land of fire and ice,’” Campbell said.

She was interested in the ways Iceland uses primarily hydropower and geothermal energy, has reduced usage in fossil fuels, and most of its electricity is produced from renewable sources.

Campbell knew she wanted to study abroad from a young age. Her dad was in the Army, and they moved often, including living in Germany two separate times. She was able to visit half of Europe as a child. The family moved to Coshocton before her senior year at Coshocton High School.

“Studying abroad helped me learn that most things in life are about stepping up and going for it, not being afraid to ask questions, and putting yourself out there,” Campbell said. “It also taught me a lot about my resilience and adaptability since this was the first time going out of the country without my family. A lot of people say that they study abroad to experience a different culture, and for me, that curiosity was practically second nature.”

She thinks everyone should consider studying abroad because it is a life-changing experience.

“I highly recommend doing it as early as possible in college because you’ll want to do it more,” Campbell said. “Every study abroad trip is personal, and the takeaways look different for other people. For example, some friends of mine who grew up living in the same place their whole life talked about leaving their hometown to go out and see the world. In the process, leaving made them value where they came from. You learn more about yourself in the process and realize that you can do anything you set your mind to. The key is being willing to take the first step.”

Campbell learned about the scholarship from a study abroad adviser at OSU in early 2025. The application included writing three essays why she wanted to study abroad and what she hoped to gain. She also needed to conduct a follow-on service project when she came home to promote the scholarship.

The scholarship is merit-based and competitive. It is a congressionally funded program managed by the U.S. Department of State.

“Students are eligible to apply for it if they receive a Federal Pell Grant, so it requires FAFSA for verification,” Campbell said. “That also means the scholarship is based on students that show financial need. Almost 60% of applicants that receive it also come from rural communities or small towns.”

The scholarship also can provide funds for students seeking to do internships or STEM projects abroad and can provide funding opportunities for students studying languages considered to national security. To learn more about the scholarship, visit www.gilmanscholarship.org.