Love of marine science leads student to Norway

When Andrea Bozman began classes at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, she never expected to be searching for polar bears near the Arctic Circle.

Thanks to her hard work and dedication to marine science, and VIU’s international connection with a prestigious university in Norway, that’s exactly the kind of unique undergraduate learning experience Bozman enjoyed.

Ready to start her fourth year in VIU's Fisheries and Aquaculture program in September, Bozman is still absorbing her good fortune to spend one full semester studying at the university of Høgskolen i Bodø in Norway from January to May.

“It was fantastic,” said Bozman, who was granted an all-expenses paid trip by the university in Norway after glowing recommendations from VIU professors.

While in Norway, Bozman completed university classes in Molecular Ecology, Marine Ecology, Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology and the Norwegian language. She also studied plankton and marine life around the many islands and fjords of Norway. Her course work took her as far north as 74 to 80 degrees latitude, within 1,000 miles of the Arctic Circle, for a week long field school at Svalbard to observe puffins and watch whales.

 “Svalbard is a collection of islands governed by Norway,” she explained. “We had to wear survival suits in case we fell through the ice looking for polar bears.”

Mark Noyon, chair of the Fisheries and Aquaculture department, said a unique partnership between VIU and Norway provides stellar students like Bozman with an international scholarship to cover living, tuition and travel expenses for one full semester. “Students selected for the program earn credit towards their degree here at VIU,” he explained. “The university (in Norway) is very pleased with the calibre of student we have sent – Andrea and before her, VIU alumnus Chris Presslaur who is now completing his master’s degree there.

“I’m now working on a formal exchange agreement (MOU) whereby students and faculty can go between the two institutions,” added Noyan. “Students will benefit from a more formal arrangement as it will provide more educational opportunities, not to mention the experience of living and studying in a different culture.”

According to Bozman, the best part about studying overseas was the exposure to a new learning environment and to classmates around the world. She lived on the university campus and shared a dorm with a student from Uganda and one from Ethiopia. Other students came from Russia, Japan, U.S. and Canada, and all classes were delivered in English.  “You learn a lot when you meet students from many different cultures, from undergrads to post-doctoral researchers,” she said.

The sometimes harsh weather conditions and differences in daylight also took some getting used to. “For the first few weeks, the sun was out for three to five hours a day,” Bozman said. “At night, I had a perfect view of the Northern Lights. By the time I left Norway in June, the sun was up for about 23 hours straight.”

Recreational activities available to students included ski trips to Sweden or fishing up the fjords.  Students who did not want to leave the campus could sign out cross-country skis from the school as if they were library books.

Bozman’s fascination with marine science began when she was a young girl growing up in Campbell River.  “My best friend’s parents worked in aquaculture, so I spent my childhood hanging out at the salmon hatchery or playing on the beach,” she explained. “I was hooked. Enrolling in VIU’s Fisheries and Aquaculture program was the natural step for my education after high school.”

Bozman completed VIU’s two-year Fisheries and Aquaculture diploma program and used those credits towards the four-year degree program. Hands-on research has enhanced her student learning experience.

She was hired as a research technician in VIU’s Centre for Shellfish Research last summer, and worked in the labs during the fall semester while going to school. Bozman is back in the labs this summer working as a research technician for renowned international scientist Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith.

 “Andrea is a shining example of a dedicated and self-motivated VIU student, who has easily been able to make the transition into the research environment as a research assistant,” said Gurney-Smith, who is investigating laboratory and field strategies for successfully growing a native species as a potential new aquaculture species.

“She is a focused team player and it has been great to have her as an important part of our research group. Her overseas experiences in Norway are highly beneficial because it allows the student to not only assimilate knowledge from another university, but also to learn different perspectives in another cultural setting and network for future educational and employment opportunities.”

Bozman expects to graduate this year, and may return to Norway to complete a master’s degree.  “Marine science is definitely where my passion lies.”

For more information on VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture programs contact department chair Mark Noyon, at Mark.Noyon@viu.ca. For information on study abroad programs visit www.viu.ca.