We are already in the second half of the expedition, and people seem to have adjusted to the routine. Breakfast at 7:30, work, lunch at 11:30, work again, tea 3:30pm, work, dinner at 7:30pm, sauna, then bedtime. Everybody knows all the latest news about the moorings, other ship operations, and where we are – we are one big family. Even our satellite phone cards have a ‘family discount’ on weekends. Some people are very excited all the time, other not so much – we are all different. But there is one thing that we all have in common – most of us are not in our usual space, and therefore our ways of looking at everything is different from each other.
Summer School is a very easy way of entertaining students: we are all on a ship and therefore there are none of the “usual” distractions – movie theaters, cafes, restaurants. All the lectures are very interesting and it seems like people are opening up, asking questions, and participating in discussions. More importantly, questions and discussions do not happen in a feisty, “conference-style” mode – people really do want to understand what’s going on. We have developed a good, friendly atmosphere, and it feels very nice.
I am sure we will all go home good friends and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at future meetings. The IARC (International Arctic Research Center) Summer School family has grown bigger and stronger, again.
– Vladimir Alexeev (International Arctic Research Center (University of Alaska-Fairbanks), and Summer School Director)
hi im trinity carmichael at LEOMHS would you talk to any one on a day to day basic?
Dear Trinity, not sure I get what you mean? A lot of the scientists onboard work together, and since we’re on a ship, we all need to talk every day. As for people asking questions on the blog, there are many (as you know yourself) who have asked more than one question on different days, which is great!
Hi,
I’m a student at LEOM high school since the students you teach is like an opportunity how many students can join each year in total?
Hi Ronesha, there are about 20 graduate students onboard the expedition. This is the first time that students have joined an expedition with this project, and I hope that students will continue to join on the next expedition! The next expedition is not for 2 years though…
At first sight, all you do seem simply a game. But only you fully know how it is there, on the ice ocean, far from the home make it possible to fulfil all this research, how many things you have to know and how deep the knowledge must be. Let interest and enthusiasm never leave you! Best regards from school #6, Nyagan, Siberia, Russia
Dear Valentina and School #6, thank you so much for the lovely note and wishes! I have learned so much on this ship, and I am so amazed by what the scientists onboard do, and the environment is so beautiful, that it’s easy to be enthusiastic, and I hope all of you have been excited to see all of the things going on in our Arctic journey too!