Are you wondering what a day in the life of a UNH student looks like? Welcome back to our Day in the Life of a UNH Wildcat blog series, where we put the spotlight on students from different academic majors and class years.
Today, Durga '25 walks us through a day in the life as a UNH Sustainability Fellow at Wyman's. From touring Wyman's blueberry farm, to presenting on the company’s scope 3 carbon footprint, follow along on Durga's day!
Meet Durga Raja '25
Hometown: Nashua, NH
Major: Environmental and Resource Economics & Sustainability Dual Major
Durga Raja
Morning
5 a.m.
My workday usually doesn’t start until 9 a.m., but today I am heading over to Maine to visit one of Wyman’s farms and processing facilities. I am also giving a presentation on my project that I have been working on over the past three months. This summer, I have been working with Wyman’s remotely through UNH’s Sustainability Fellowship program to calculate the company’s scope 3 carbon emissions.
5:30 a.m.
Before I leave my house, I make sure to eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of water to get me started for the day!
10:30 a.m.
I have arrived at Deblois, Maine at one of Wyman’s farms and processing facilities. I am accompanied by the director of the UNH Sustainability Institute, the UNH Sustainability Fellowship coordinator and my fellowship mentor from Wyman’s. We get a tour of the barrens and get to see the process of blueberries going from the farm to a bag of Wyman’s Frozen Wild Blueberries.
Durga accompanied by Fiona Wilson and Alexis Dwyer at Wyman’s Farm in Deblois, ME.
Afternoon
12 p.m.
We are eating lunch at a park in Milbridge, ME. The park has an amazing community garden and pollinator garden that are so interesting to learn about!
Pollinator Garden at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park.
1 p.m.
I head over to Cherryfield, ME for my presentation on the company’s scope 3 carbon footprint. Participating in this fellowship has been such a great experience because I was able to get so much hands-on experience, and I loved hearing about how my work is going to be used to make a positive impact.
Durga presenting her Sustainability Fellowship presentation at Wyman’s.
2 p.m.
I am now about to head back home. The car ride is about five hours long, so I pull out my laptop and start doing some work for a club that I run with my friend at UNH called EcoReps. EcoReps is a club where we bring people together for campus, beach and local community cleanups, and it is a great way to meet new friends and to make the community a better place. I am currently working with the Exec Board to set up some dates to organize cleanups. After I am done, I take the rest of the car ride to take a nap after such an eventful day.
EcoReps after a successful cleanup at Hampton Beach.
Evening
7 p.m.
I just got home and I am about to eat dinner. I love being able to eat home-cooked meals, but I can’t wait to get back to campus soon and eat dinner with friends at restaurants like Mei Wei and DHOP (Durham House of Pizza).
8 p.m.
I head out to a trail near my house to walk my dog. This is one of my favorite parts of my day because I get to spend time with my siblings and get some fresh air.
8:30 p.m.
Before I end my day, I make sure to review some peer mentor materials for the upcoming semester’s Carbon Clinic program. The Carbon Clinic is a 2-credit course that allows students to get hands-on experience working with local businesses by calculating the company’s carbon footprint. The clinic is a great way to learn valuable skills and to make connections.
Durga and her Carbon Clinic team, Spring 2023.
10 p.m.
After a long day, I head to my room to wind down. As summer comes to an end, I like to spend time doing things I don’t have as much time to do when the semester starts, such as watching T.V. or reading a book.
10:30 p.m.
I finally settle down to go to sleep for the night. It’s been a long day, but I am so grateful for everything that I have been able to do this summer!
Wyman’s Blueberry Barren.
- Read all of our Day in the Life blogs
- Learn more about UNH Sustainability Fellowships
- Learn more about the Sustainability Institute at UNH
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Nate's UNH Day in the Life
Today we travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota with Nate Maybach ’25, a dual major in sustainability and women's and gender studies. From training with a collegiate cross-country ski training program, to working a Sustainability Fellowship, follow along on this day in Minnesota! read more about nate's day
