International Space University

So I figured I better explain what I'm doing this summer and how this came about. I will be participating in the Summer Session Program (SSP) at International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France for two months. ISU is focused on what they call the 3i's: international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary.

The ISU SSP is an intense nine-week course for postgraduate students and young professionals of all disciplines – a unique educational experience. The curriculum covers the principal space-related fields, both technical and non-technical and ranges from engineering, physical sciences and satellite applications to life sciences, policy, management and humanities.

In other words, this isn't going to be a vacation like so many seem to think it will be. :) There are some neat things going on while I'm there though. For instance, the Tour de France starts in Strasbourg the day after I get there!

How did this opportunity come about? Believe it or not I just happened to read about it in the JSC Today, which is a daily newletter sent out at Johnson Space Center (JSC). NASA's JSC offers a fellowship to one person each year, and I decided to apply. Honestly, I didn't think I had a chance, but after a long application and an interview, here I am! Even Louisian Tech University thought it was a big deal and decided to do a short article on me for their Tech Triumph's webpage.

I'm now less than a month from heading over there. I've been trying to learn some French before I go, but finding time is always a challenge. I know this will be an amazing, once in a lifetime experience, but I'm also going to miss Ross, my friends, and my family. So keep in touch!