From May to July 2026, we had the opportunity to have Isabella McHardie as one of our interns.
She graciously gave us a short testimonial of her experience working as an intern at the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
“This internship allowed me to gain valuable knowledge about the blue economy, sustainability, innovation, and business development.”
What is your name and background? How did you hear about the Iceland Ocean Cluster?
“Hello! My name is Isabella McHardie, and I am in the final year of my bachelor’s degree in Philosophy of Interdisciplinary Leadership at the School of Leadership Studies, University of New Brunswick, Canada.”
“As part of my program, students are required to complete two internships: one at the national level and one at the international level. While exploring my options for an international internship, I learned that a previous student, Nicole Collier, had completed her internship at the Iceland Ocean Cluster a couple of years ago. That piqued my interest, and I decided to learn more about the organisation.”
Why did you want to join the Iceland Ocean Cluster?
“I wanted to join the Iceland Ocean Cluster because I have always been interested in the environmental sector and have a deep love for the ocean. I wanted the opportunity to learn more and explore how companies address sustainability, environmental challenges, and innovation. I was also very intrigued by the projects the Cluster is working on, particularly the 100% Fish project.”
“Another bonus of choosing the Cluster was that I had always wanted to visit Iceland. This internship gave me the opportunity to travel the country’s incredible landscapes.”
How did your time interning at the Iceland Ocean Cluster help you?
“My internship at the Iceland Ocean Cluster helped me grow, both personally and professionally. It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Since it was my first experience in the corporate world, there was a steep learning curve. I am incredibly grateful that the team trusted me and supported me with such patience and kindness as I learned and developed my skills.”
“This internship allowed me to gain valuable knowledge about the blue economy, sustainability, innovation, and business development. It also gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of these fields and to explore new topics that I was interested in.”
“I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained at the Iceland Ocean Cluster to further my academic journey and professional career in the future.”
Thank you, Isabella, for this response. We are very grateful to you for interning with us. Best of luck!
