Stories

My interest in GIS, remote sensing and the whole GEO field grew over time. I knew that I wanted to be in this realm and use my computer science background with topics like artificial intelligence and machine learning. [...] I thought that going into academia and teaching would be a fun experience, and then I decided to do a Master’s.

We were the first GEM students to go to the Sloth Conservation Foundation in Costa Rica for an internship, and we definitely recommend it to future students. During our internship, we met really nice people and discovered a beautiful region.

For my internship project, I used GIS to develop a strategic plan for future canopy bridge installations in Costa Rica. We used satellite imagery to identify forest patches and suggest locations for new bridges.

It was a great opportunity to attend such a prestigious conference as IGARSS 2024. It showed me that there is still a lot to learn in the field of GIS. I would really recommend any ITC student to attend GIS-related conferences if they get the chance. It’s eye-opening, it gives you a different angle on the field and provides valuable exposure and learning opportunities.

I’m starting an internship in September with the World Resources Insitute for monitoring deforestation in Europe with the Global Forest Watch tool. The conference and my thesis experience have made me consider continuing in research, but I’m keeping my options open for now.