So, I just finished my blog entry on the amazing trip I had to Washington DC this winter break. However, while my break ended in witnessing history, it actually got off with a pretty bleak start. I'm originally from the Portland, OR metro area and right after finals I was to be headed home to see my family over break. Unfortunately, a huge storm hit the Pacific Northwest completely shutting down the Seattle, Portland, and Spokane airports--apparently not all airports are prepared for snow and ice like Fairbanks! My flight, and the flights of many friends were naturally canceled. But just as I was beginning to bemoan the reality of not making it home for Christmas, I realized that even in just two years of being up here I have accumulated quite an awesome group of friends. From spontaneous sledding adventures to Winter Solstice parties to Contra-dancing, my Fairbanks friends and others stranded like myself banded together and made the best of what could have been a pretty miserable kickoff to our Christmas break. This is just one more example of the incredible hospitality and kindness of the amazing community here at UAF and throughout Fairbanks. When you choose to come to UAF, you are not just coming to a unique and wonderful college, but also a unique and wonderful community.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friends in Fairbanks
So, I just finished my blog entry on the amazing trip I had to Washington DC this winter break. However, while my break ended in witnessing history, it actually got off with a pretty bleak start. I'm originally from the Portland, OR metro area and right after finals I was to be headed home to see my family over break. Unfortunately, a huge storm hit the Pacific Northwest completely shutting down the Seattle, Portland, and Spokane airports--apparently not all airports are prepared for snow and ice like Fairbanks! My flight, and the flights of many friends were naturally canceled. But just as I was beginning to bemoan the reality of not making it home for Christmas, I realized that even in just two years of being up here I have accumulated quite an awesome group of friends. From spontaneous sledding adventures to Winter Solstice parties to Contra-dancing, my Fairbanks friends and others stranded like myself banded together and made the best of what could have been a pretty miserable kickoff to our Christmas break. This is just one more example of the incredible hospitality and kindness of the amazing community here at UAF and throughout Fairbanks. When you choose to come to UAF, you are not just coming to a unique and wonderful college, but also a unique and wonderful community.
Witness to History...Thanks to UAF!
This last week America ushered in a new era with the inauguration of Barack Obama. As a political science major, I have been following the campaigns for the past year, and I have had my eye on Obama ever since his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech. Thus, to say the least, this has been a BIG deal for me! Last fall I was approached by a series of professors and administrators who were extremely excited to tell me about an opportunity to attend the Inauguration in Washington DC this January. I applied and was accepted as one of eleven students choosen to represent UAF at the Washington Center's Inauguration Seminar. This all-expenses paid trip included a week long intensive academic seminar at the University of DC, site visits to a plethora of amazing locales, VIP meetings with various officials, and tickets to the Inauguration (half the group went to the actual Oath of Office Ceremony on the Mall, while the other half had VIP tickets to the Parade). I recently returned from this incredible
The week-long seminar was an academic treat--"seminar" might sound boring, but what it really means is an all-star cast of speakers, site visits, and other opportunities. Among some of our more impressive speakers were Sam Donaldson, the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Bush's Press Secretary Dana Perino, Ted Koppel, Mark Russell, and CNN Correspondant Dana Bash. We also had the opportunity to visit a wide range of Washington sites, including: the Republican National Committee Headquarters, the Jordanian Embassy, the Center for American Progress think-tank, and many others. As Alaskans we were able to get a few extra-special treats that many of our fellow Seminar particpants (stu
When not in seminar, the eleven of us had a splendid time exploring Washington DC. Just a few highlights included: the Smithsonian museums compelete with special Inauguration celebrations, the baby guerrila that was born at the National Zoo upon arrival to DC, all of the Mall's memorials and monuments, and of course, delicious dinners in Georgetown and Dupont Circle. But the highlight of all highlights was without a doubt, Inauguration Day. While half of our group watched the Oath of Office Ceremony from a privileged spot right in front of the Captiol, myself and four other UAF students staked out our spots across from the White House on the parade route. Although it was a cold, long day, all five of us were honored to have virtually front row seats to history as w
All in all, it was an incredible experience to be in our nation's capital during such a historic event. The energy and enthusiasm radiating throughout the city was one of the most remarkable environments I have ever been in. Whether Republican or Democrat, American or a vistor from afar, Barack Obama's Inauguration weekend and the week proceding it was one filled with hope, optimism,
For all those in the Fairbanks area, I invite you to come to a special presentation and reception by the eleven-student Inaugural delegation on Tuesday, February 10th at 4:15pm in the Wood Center Ballroom.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Worldwide Influence
Ever told someone that you go to or are thinking of going to UAF and then get that confused look and a mumbled "Huh? Where is that?" Students often have a bit of a complex when it comes to the notarity of UAF. Hearing things like "Nobody knows or cares we're up here." or "What can you do with a degree from UAF? Its a state school!" unfortunatly is too common.
Right now, I'm in Longyearbyen, a town of about 2,100 inhabitants on the Norwegian archepeligo of Svalbard on exchange from UAF. (I assure you, myself and other ambassadors will be telling you a lot about Exchange and Study Abroad from UAF in the weeks to come.) I've been here for a week. In that one week, I've found 2 paper publications with articles about science and activities conducted at UAF. Furthermore, UAF was mentioned in a lecture I attended on Tuesday. Today as I walked out of the computer lab, I saw someone looking at the Aurora Forecast website run by UAF's Geophysical Institute. You can check it out yourself at http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/. All that in just a week!
Clearly, UAF and its students are making big impacts worldwide. I don't know about any of you, but I say that I'm a UAF student with pride. I have faith in our students, our staff, and our faculty and the education they give us. We are influencing the world in countless ways and it makes me proud to be a part of that.
More from Longyearbyen soon!
Right now, I'm in Longyearbyen, a town of about 2,100 inhabitants on the Norwegian archepeligo of Svalbard on exchange from UAF. (I assure you, myself and other ambassadors will be telling you a lot about Exchange and Study Abroad from UAF in the weeks to come.) I've been here for a week. In that one week, I've found 2 paper publications with articles about science and activities conducted at UAF. Furthermore, UAF was mentioned in a lecture I attended on Tuesday. Today as I walked out of the computer lab, I saw someone looking at the Aurora Forecast website run by UAF's Geophysical Institute. You can check it out yourself at http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/. All that in just a week!
Clearly, UAF and its students are making big impacts worldwide. I don't know about any of you, but I say that I'm a UAF student with pride. I have faith in our students, our staff, and our faculty and the education they give us. We are influencing the world in countless ways and it makes me proud to be a part of that.
More from Longyearbyen soon!