Isabel Smith | Vira I. Heinz Program | University of Pittsburgh

International Experience Country:

Jordan

Cohort Year:

2022

Home Institution:

Bio:

Isabel Smith is a third-year undergraduate student at Chatham University in the Environmental Science program and the International Studies program focusing on the Middle East. Her long-term goals include working to promote sustainable communities and maintain healthy ecosystems through renewable energy and ecology. She has interned at The Ohio State University working as a lab assistant and facilitating a research project on microbial community differences in types of compost. She has also interned with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network, working to promote sustainability and renewable energy on the local level. Isabel is pursuing a certificate in the Middle East to reconnect with family history because she believes it is important to understand and be connected with your history and culture. In her free time, Isabel likes to read, go on hikes, and spend time with friends and family.

International Experience Summary:

Isabel Smith is a third-year undergraduate student at Chatham University in the Environmental Science program and the International Studies program focusing on the Middle East. Her long-term goals include working to promote sustainable communities and maintain healthy ecosystems through renewable energy and ecology. She has interned at The Ohio State University working as a lab assistant and facilitating a research project on microbial community differences in types of compost. She has also interned with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network, working to promote sustainability and renewable energy on the local level. Isabel is pursuing a certificate in the Middle East to reconnect with family history because she believes it is important to understand and be connected with your history and culture. In her free time, Isabel likes to read, go on hikes, and spend time with friends and family. She studied abroad in Amman, Jordan during the summer of 2022 studying Arabic and completing an internship. She interned at the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (in Jordan) as a project intern completing research on climate change in Jordan, Arabic to English translations, and marketing projects and action plans. She now has elementary proficiency in Arabic and will continue her studies in Arabic at Chatham University this fall. She is passionate about ecological restoration and living sustainably and is hoping to pursue a career in this field by getting her master’s degree in restoration ecology after graduating from Chatham University in April 2023.

Community Engagement Experience Summary:

CEE Title: Globally Green

Our vision and goal were to increase awareness of sustainable food practices and sustainabilityand educate students on sustainability practices in the US and abroad. Our event, Globally Green, featured presentations and discussions of cultural practices of sustainability. Guest speakers presented on sustainability around the world and in our community. Mikaela Lane presented on recycling in Italy she experienced during her time there and the slow food movement. Isabel Smith presented on tree restoration and agriculture in Jordan by discussing the organization she interned at and providing background on the environment in Jordan. Dr. Lehrer presented on agriculture in Costa Rica and Dr. Julier presented on CRAFT at Chatham University and the food studies program. Food was served at the event to represent the results of these sustainable food practices. To represent Italy, tiramisu and pizzelles were served. To represent Jordan, tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, and black tea were served. The conclusion of the event discussed ways to participate in sustainability on the local level, including collecting donations for a local food bank. Attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food to donate. The event closed by discussing what attendees learned and how they hoped to apply that knowledge to the Chatham community and beyond.