The education ecosystem is made up of several types of students, but in the College of Science at the University of Idaho, one thing binds them all together—a love for learning beyond the traditional classroom.
Undergraduates have the option to get involved early on with different labs on campus. One of the mottos found on the college site states, “Learn science by DOING science” because, in this field, the work being completed by professionals is done through practice that extends beyond the walls of campus classrooms.
The College of Science encompasses many degree programs. A recent graduate, Joseph Admiraal, discussed his experience with studying geography at UI.
Admiraal mentioned that one of his favorite classes he took to complete his degree was an elective course, GEOG 220: The Geography of Middle Earth, which examined the masterworks of J.R.R. Tolkien’s imaginary worlds. He spoke about how the ideas presented in Tolkien’s work were applicable to our reality, and that the class had a fun way of making imagination impactful to the real world.
Admiraal also noted his overall experience with the geography program at our institution.
“There were ways that every single person in that department supported me, if I had to choose one that I connected with the most, it would be Dr. Dezzani. Looking at the students, we were a small group, and a lot of people who took geography classes were not geography majors,” Admiraal said. “The instructors worked together really well; they complemented each other and provided for us, even if we were seeking different things.”
Admiraal described not only his time with his particular program, but as a student in general. “I do miss it, but I know that it was time for me to move on. I miss high school sometimes too, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I want to go back.”
“It always ticks me off when people say to do something that makes you happy because it’s as if that is all that matters; it isn’t.”
Admiraal was busy doing many other things outside of getting his B.S. in geography. During his senior year, he managed an entire staff team and continued fulfilling his requirements as a member of ROTC on campus. He devoted much of his time to being a role model for others. The College of Science motto applies to a core trait of Admiraal outside of scholastics, learning through taking action.
When discussing what advice he would give to a current college student, Admiraal took it upon himself to expand this to general life advice for everyone that he personally tries to practice.
“Don’t just do something because it makes you happy. It always ticks me off when people say to do something that makes you happy because it’s as if that is all that matters; it isn’t,” Admiraal said. “The only reason you’re here is that people before you decided to do something beyond what made them happy. If you’re only focused on what makes you happy then you’re not going to do a lot of great stuff.”
Currently, Admiraal is tackling a new ecosystem outside of the college atmosphere, working for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). He is stationed in North Carolina, and wakes up every day with the knowledge that he is a part of something greater. This is something we should all be striving for, finding a community that we believe in so strongly that fulfillment is gained simply by doing our part to sustain it.
To be a member of anything comes with responsibility and opportunity. For the College of Science, students seek to do great things in their field by continuing to improve their skills through practice and taking action.
When you think about it, that is the bigger message behind being a Vandal too.