From Slovenia to Iowa: ASEF Fellow Marko Fišer on a Research Visit at Iowa State University, USA

Marko Fišer, a master’s student of Geography and History at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, completed an eight‑week research visit at the Iowa State University College of Design under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Alenka Poplin.

His research visit was carried out as part of his master’s thesis, in which he examines urban heat islands in Maribor and Ames – his home city and the host city, located in different climate zones. Through spatial data analysis, satellite imagery, and geographically weighted regression, he aims to identify connections between heat islands and demographic groups in both cities, as well as develop projections for the future. The visit enabled him to deepen his knowledge and obtain essential data for his research. He also had the opportunity to work in the GIS Lab, a facility dedicated exclusively to geographic information systems, which play a central role in his research work.

During his stay, Marko attended courses from two different study fields (Introduction to Game Design and Introduction to GIS Programming and Automatization), participated in a workshop on developing concepts for an educational game, attended public lectures by visiting professors, volunteered at a local arts festival, and took part in various events and gatherings. Among these was an excursion to Des Moines, where he and other students observed a public debate on proposed changes to the city’s bus routes.

In his free time, he made new friendships, went on walks, attended Iowa State Cyclones sporting events (American football, basketball, volleyball), explored iconic university buildings, and learned about the history and culture of Ames. He also visited Des Moines, where he toured the Iowa State Capitol and the downtown area. Additionally, he took a trip to Iowa City, home to Iowa’s other major state university, and to the Amana Colonies – seven small villages founded by German immigrants in the mid‑19th century. During Halloween, he visited Reiman Gardens, the university’s botanical gardens, which were decorated with more than 1,000 carved pumpkins and other seasonal displays.

The visit enriched Marko’s knowledge and academic experience, strengthened his motivation for further research in his field, and expanded his professional network. He was particularly impressed by the kindness and sincerity of the people in Iowa. Exploring the state provided him with valuable insight into the life and culture of this part of the United States. He expresses his sincere gratitude to ASEF and his mentor for this opportunity, the unique experience, and their support.

Photo: Personal archive