On December 18, 2023, I embarked on a journey as a student on the India Winterim: Water Poverty in Rural India, A Freshwater Crisis Case study abroad program. On this study abroad trip, we were tasked with using water quality sensors to measure the levels of things like nitrate, fluoride, pH, salinity, etc. of water sources found in rural villages of India in partnership with the Sehgal Foundation. The testing days were extremely eye opening as we first traveled to the village of Mewat and split up into groups. Here, we walked around the village gathering quite a crowd of individuals interested in seeing what we were doing. With the help of guides, we talked to farmers and villagers, hearing their stories about how the water quality has impacted their lives. One eye opening experience was to be able to measure salinity around a check dam. The check dam works by allowing rainwater to have a higher retention time on the ground to better seep into the aquifers below. The additional rainwater, in theory, dilutes the pollutants found in the waterways to levels safe enough to drink. It was very inspiring to hear how the check dam has given many individuals in the villages safer water.

"I feel that I left that trip with a newfound passion for environmental engineering and creating innovations that can help ensure safe water around the world. In my career, I wish to become an advocate for women in STEM related majors which was further inspired by seeing the young girls in rural India able to attend school."

One significant impact that I felt on this trip was the impact of clean water systems on young girls' ability to attend school. We visited a few schools that had rainwater harvesting systems that provide water safe for cooking and use in bathrooms. Due to the increase in sanitary bathroom systems, the number of girls attending school has greatly increased. As a woman who has grown up in the United States my whole life, I have had the privilege of attending public school and university. It was difficult to hear how limited education is for women living in India, but inspiring to see how change is occurring to raise the numbers of girls in school. It has inspired me to be a part of the next generation of environmental engineers to design systems to give clean water access to individuals all around the world.

The main challenge on this trip was the water. We were unable to drink the water in the hotels or at meals unless they were clearly sealed. This left us using bottled water for drinking and even to brush our teeth. I typically use a reusable water bottle in the United States to reduce the amount of plastic waste I am producing and that was not an option in India. I felt guilty using the plastic water bottles as garbage and the plethora of litter is another huge concern in India. This trip really made me appreciate the safe drinking water systems I have from my tap here in Iowa. Overall, I loved my study abroad trip to India. I feel that I left that trip with a newfound passion for environmental engineering and creating innovations that can help ensure safe water around the world. In my career, I wish to become an advocate for women in STEM related majors which was further inspired by seeing the young girls in rural India able to attend school.

LEARN HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR A GLOBAL ACCESS AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP

The Global Access Ambassador Scholarship program provides awards to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year. The scholarships are intended to support students who study abroad with the intent to serve as Global Access Ambassadors upon return to the UI campus. Upon completion of the study abroad program and return to UI, award recipients are asked to submit a photo and an open letter to prospective students or suggest an alternate means of sharing with prospective students.

Please note that the opinions and views expressed by ambassadors are solely those of the students and do not reflect or represent the views of International Programs or the University of Iowa.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.