Alumni Impact: Meet Helga for International Day of Women in Science
Alumni Impact is a social media campaign that recognizes the excellent work being done by FIUTS alumni all around the world. In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, meet Helga, a FIUTS and UW alumna from Belgium, and learn about her work as a biogeochemistry and soil scientist!
HelgaVM – Headshot
My name is Helga Van Miegroet. I am an alumna of the UW and FIUTS who came from Belgium to pursue a Masters and PhD in Biogeochemistry and Soil Science at the then College of Forest Resources (1978-1986). I started coming to FIUTS almost from day one of my graduate program, first for the free Wednesday lunches and the periodic outings, the host family program and outreach programs, and later just to hang out in the office with my international buddies. During that time away from my home country and everything familiar, FIUTS became my home and many of the friendships that started then and there have lasted through time. While we hailed from different parts of the world and had different cultural traditions it was not our differences that mattered but rather our common (often painful) experience of being alone in a foreign place that tied us together. FIUTS helped me overcome many of the prejudices and biases that were prevalent in my country, and made me realize that we are not so different after all. Over the years, my FIUTS friends and I have seen each other through ups and downs in life, marriages and births, successes and career challenges, losses and disappointments, and even though we may be scattered around the globe, some of us still keep in contact. I have been lucky enough to visit many of my old FIUTS pals in their home or adopted countries over the years.
FIUTS reunion 2016 – Impromptu reunion among some FIUTS oldies in Seattle in 2016. Here I am (standing 3rd from left) with host father Bruce Berglund (upper right), his daughter Nicola Smith (upper , second from left) and his host children Babatunde Aina (sitting right) and Inci Atac-Rosch (sitting left), former FIUTS Executive director Janet Davidson (standing second from right) , FIUTS habitue and our roommate Jerry Feldman (standing middle) with his wife Caren (below). Jerry and I were “honorary” hostkids of the Berglunds because we were Inci’s roommates. To the left Trish Coffey
{see photo of the 2016 FIUTS reunion in Seattle]
The experience of arriving in a new country without knowing anybody, the mix of excitement of starting a new life and confusion at not always understanding the norms, have deeply imprinted on me over the years. I think it made me a better mentor to my students, especially those coming from other countries, as they reminded me of my younger self. It has also helped me in my volunteer work with the Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection, a non-profit in Northern Utah that assists newcomers in navigating their new American home. I am actively involved in mentoring refugees and immigrants in preparation for their citizenship test. I want to return the understanding and kindness that I received from the Seattle community when I was a student.
[see photo of the the CRIC Board of directors during fundraiser last year – me standing @ the upper right]
HelgaVM – with CRIC Board : me upper right while serving on the board of CRIC
I have made my home here in the US, forged a career in science, and married an economist I met while working as a researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. I worked there for 6 years, before accepting a faculty position in the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University, I job I held for nearly 25 years before retiring in 2017. Looking back on my career, I am proud of what I have achieved and the personal challenges I have overcome along the way. I chose to enter a field (soil science) that was still largely dominated by men, without much guidance from senior women (as there were none). There were less than a handful women faculty in my College when I accepted the faculty position, I was the first woman to be promoted to full professor, not without having to put up a fight. There were many challenges and barriers I encountered just from being a woman, but I persevered, I believed in myself, and mustered that same courage that brought me to this country to prove I belonged. The struggle was not always easy, but in the end rewarding as things are changing in the scientific world, albeit slowly. Many scientific fields have opened up to women, and women scientists are starting to receive the recognition they deserve, young women have more role models and mentors, and the scientific community as a whole has started to embrace diversity and inclusivity.
HelgaVM – Doing Field work
My motto and advise to young and aspiring scientists: believe in yourself, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and surround yourself with allies who can mentor and advise you. That is how I see my role now. I leave the new exciting research to the younger generation with fresher or novel ideas. I am here, older and wiser, to have their backs, to build their self-confidence, to be their advisor and prepare them for the challenges to come. Once you have left your country to seek adventures elsewhere, nothing much scares you anymore!
Guest posts on the FIUTS blog represent the experiences and views of individual writers. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FIUTS or any organizations or institutions affiliated with our programs.