Hello! I’m Sophia Miller, and I’m a senior studying human biological sciences and climate change studies. This summer, I traveled to Dublin, Ireland, for my Franke Global Leadership Initiative experience beyond the classroom. My GLI Global Theme is Resources & Sustainability, and I explored how science and medicine connect to this challenge through full-time lab research at University College Dublin.

In the lab, I studied amyloid fibrils, protein aggregates associated with Alzheimer’s disease, using atomic force microscopy. Our goal was to see how ionic fluids interact with these fibrils and how such compounds might be used in future drug design. What made this experience especially meaningful is that I was working in a green lab, which emphasized resource-efficient practices and aimed to reduce environmental impact. This project is directly tied to my GLI capstone project, Grizzly Green Labs, which has shown me firsthand how science can be both innovative and sustainable.

Living abroad also taught me about sustainability on a daily level. In Dublin, I noticed how public transportation, city design, and even small cultural habits reduce resource use compared to what I’m used to in Montana. It made me reflect on how choices, whether in a lab or in everyday life, add up to real environmental impact.

This experience also grew my leadership skills and strengthened my confidence as a researcher. Presenting my research to an international group pushed me to communicate clearly across cultures and disciplines.

I am grateful to the Franke Family and the GLI for supporting this opportunity. It not only advanced my academic path but also deepened my commitment to connecting sustainability with science and healthcare.

Images of AFM, amyloid imaging, and poster presentation.

Cliffs of Moher June 27th, 2025

Ireland’s School of Falconry, Ashford Castle, May 21st, 2025

The Aran Islands, May 19th, 2025

Dublin, Ireland, July 23rd, 2025

Hi there, my name is Madelyne Miller! My GLI Global Theme and Challenge was Resources and Sustainability. For my Beyond the Classroom experience, I spent two weeks in Hawaii learning about their conservation issues and initiatives. I have had an interest in Hawaiian culture and the traditional ways they interact with the natural world. Due to this interest, I wanted to get some first hand experience on the islands to determine if I would want to continue a study of Hawaiian Peoples and the ways they manage their natural resources. In particular, during this experience, I was looking to learn how the Hawaiian community dealt with plastic pollution that comes from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by interacting with various organizations.

While I was in O’ahu, I was invited to join a protest hosted by two of the local organizations. They were protesting the current administration’s push for deep sea mining. The protest began with an oli, a traditional Hawaiian chant, and was followed with short talks from various employees of the organizationsand scientists. I learned the profound negative impacts associated with deep sea mining. I found this to be particularly memorable because I realized that I am rather unaware of the issues faced by marine communities due to the fact that I am from and live in a land locked place. However, I need to be more aware of the policies influencing marine ecosystems as the health of the ocean will impact every beings well-being, even those who do not live by the ocean. This event, in conjunction with the other organizations I interacted with, reminded me that I need to be aware of the sustainability issues occurring in the various ecosystems. 

My idea of Hawaii was greatly altered by this trip. I got to see all of the amazing work being done on the island and met some very kind individuals. At the same time, I saw the immense homelessness and social issues being faced by many on the island. Further, I witnessed the ways in which tourism has contributed to the commodification of a culture, which in truth felt somewhat unsettling. Overall, this experience has broadened my understanding of resource and sustainability initiatives. It has also aided me in narrowing which culture I want to study in my Anthropology career.

The banks of Loch Ness in Inverfarigaig, Inverness. Taken 16 February 2025.

Hello! My name is Lydia Niedermeyer and I am a senior studying International Business and Management, with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy. I completed my Beyond the Classroom Experience in the form of a study abroad at the University of Dundee in Scotland for the 2024/2025 academic year. This program not only combined my current interests of increased environmental sustainability and the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility, but also my future career aspirations. 

Blackness Castle, Linlithgow Scotland. Taken 31 March 2025.

Before arriving at the University of Montana, I knew that my life dream was to open an environmentally sustainable Bed and Breakfast. After reading a series of books set in the Scottish Highlands, I knew that I wanted to investigate the possibility of having such an establishment abroad. My interest in Scotland led me to discover the numerous ways in which the country is more environmentally conscious than the United States. In the U.S, there are many who do not believe in the reality of climate change and therefore its ability to combat the issue is compromised by efforts to instead inform citizens of the problem at hand. 

The Ring of Brodgar in Stromness- Stenness on the Orkney Islands. Taken 5 April 2025. 

In Scotland, it was refreshing to not only be surrounded by individuals, peers, instructors, and even the country itself, that acknowledged the climate crisis – which then allowed for a more focused discussion and policies on how to combat it. Multiple cities across Scotland have made commitments of achieving net-zero emissions and the government supports both businesses and homeowners that make the switch to energy sources that have fewer detrimental effects on the environment with monetary grants. One campaign to encourage more use of public transportation was the Young Scot Card, which allowed those under twenty-two years of age that could prove at least six months of residency free bus fares throughout the whole country. 

With this in mind, I was extremely excited for the opportunity to take modules that focused on the intersection between business and sustainability. Over the course of my year abroad, I enrolled in two such courses: Business in Society: Responsibility, Diversity, and Geopolitics and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. The Business in Society course was geared more towards policy and more broadly how businesses should function within their surrounding communities. Our discussions focused on the various issues that are facing people around the world and how businesses should or should not be held accountable for making a difference in how these issues are addressed. The conversations and coursework from this module have strengthened my beliefs that companies have the capability to drive change through policies and acknowledgement of corporate social responsibility. This class has further inspired me in how I hope to one day run my bed and breakfast to adhere to such ideals. However, Sustainable Supply Chain Management focused more on the actual implementation of steps into a business plan to minimize environmental impacts. In this module, we analyzed different companies and their supply chains- looking into how different steps could either increase or decrease their carbon footprint and waste. 

Summit of Beinn Nibheis (Ben Nevis) in Fort William, the highest peak in the United Kingdom and British Isles. Taken 3 April 2025. 

The ability to study abroad in Scotland is an experience that I will forever reflect upon and am so grateful to have completed. The immersion in another culture and having met lifelong friends from across the globe has not only enriched my time in college, but also my life. I have grown and changed, not only as a leader, but as a person. I consider myself very privileged to have access to such a program and would highly recommend a study abroad to all those who can!