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Arctic Bound: Studying Sustainability in Sweden

Sage Boettcher Start Date: Mar 12, 2026 - End Date: Jul 11, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Umeå, Sweden
  • Gällivare, Sweden
  • Kiruna, Sweden
  • Abisko, Sweden
  • Narvik, Norway

My Travel Story

by: Sage Boettcher Start Date: Mar 12, 2026 - End Date: Jul 11, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
If you had asked me a few years ago where my education would take me, I definitely wouldn’t have guessed the Arctic Circle!

I’ve always loved learning about plant sciences and natural systems, but over time I realized I wanted to do more than just study them; I wanted to work in ways that actually helped to protect and manage them. With a big move from Texas to North Carolina two years ago, I was accepted as an undergraduate at North Carolina State University, majoring in Environmental Technology Management. It’s been such a great fit for me. I love getting out into the field and figuring out real solutions for managing natural resources.

This summer, I’ve been given the opportunity to study abroad in Sweden and the Arctic region through NC State’s Sustainable Use of Natural Resources program.

During the program, we’ll be traveling through northern Sweden and Norway, learning about how communities manage natural resources in one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the world. We’ll be looking at things like forestry, mining, water systems, recreation, and energy use while meeting with scientists and resource managers who work with these systems every day.

For someone interested in how environmental systems work in the real world, this is such an exciting opportunity to see how another part of the world approaches sustainability.

This trip also comes at a really important time for me. I’ll be graduating next December, which means this will likely be my last chance to study abroad while I’m at NC State. Being able to have this experience before starting my career would mean a lot to me.

Right now, I’m balancing being a full-time student while also working a full-time job and holding a part-time stormwater research position. I work hard to support myself and stay on top of my bills, but international programs like this still come with pretty high costs.

This is my first time starting a fundraiser, and I’m hoping it will help make the trip possible. Donations would go toward things like airfare, program fees, meals, and travel expenses while we’re in Sweden and Norway. Unfortunately, prices have increased quite a bit in the past month, and my current savings plan will no longer fully cover the added costs.

Studying abroad will mean so much to me. Having the chance to learn from different places, people, and perspectives, especially from an academic standpoint, will help prepare me for the career path I hope to pursue.

After graduating, I hope to work in stormwater and watershed management, and I will also be applying to graduate programs in Environmental Assessment. Experiences like this help build the perspective and knowledge needed to work on real environmental challenges that affect communities and ecosystems.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting my education. Even small contributions, or simply sharing this campaign, can make a meaningful difference in helping make this opportunity possible.
  • Umeå, Sweden
  • Gällivare, Sweden
  • Kiruna, Sweden
  • Abisko, Sweden
  • Narvik, Norway

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • REI Gift Card for Equipment

    $ 50

  • Buy Me a Swedish Fika

    15
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