Thursday, December 4, 2014

Getting Involved and Traveling Opportunities

Posted by Bruce

Hello blog readers!

I am a 5th year Electrical Engineering UAF student and the topic I will be talking about in today’s blog is the various activities I've become involved in on campus as an electrical engineering student.

Today's topic: Traveling while you’re at school when involved in extracurricular activities.

First, let me tell you some examples of the activities I was involved in that allowed me to travel. During the spring semester of May 2014, finals week, I traveled to Las Vegas with a team of engineering. I was involved in a Wind Turbine Competition. The Wind Turbine Competition was started for the first time in 2013 by the Department of Energy (DOE), and only 10 universities had the privilege to participate in this event. The team at UAF consisted of several mechanical engineering students who had used the competition as there senior design project for the blade and body design competition. There were also two electrical engineering students (including myself), who worked on the electronics part of the design to control the power of the turbine. The competition required a design of a working small scale turbine, speeches to be made to the judges from many well-known companies (e.g. General Electric (GE)). There were three categories of speeches: technical turbine design, business plan, and a quick pitch to the audience. We had one business student to volunteer for the competition in assisting with the business portion. Our experience participating in the Wind Turbine Competition made my teammates and I realize the amount of time and effort that it takes to complete a project that students are completely new to, as well as trying to recruit volunteers to help assist in the business and engineering parts. The first competition had changed the rules many times during the progress of the 1 year time given to the students. The rules weren't thought out the best, but since it was the first competition things were still being figured out. In the end, aside from scheduling conflicts during finals week, we had completed the competition and it was fun.

I am also involved in a club called the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), as a leader member, and have been able to travel to a few places. The IEEE student branch was able to set up a field trip to the Chena Hot Springs to visit the plant there and have the owner of Chena speak about his experience and work. Furthermore, I recently went to a leadership training in Portland, Oregon for one day. This allowed me to meet all the other leaders from other schools and learn how to manage a student branch club.

Lastly, I attended a scholarship banquet down in Anchorage, Alaska because I was able to be involved in IEEE and was acknowledged for my performances. I am now planning to set up a way to travel to Las Vegas once again to attend a conference with our fellow IEEE members. The conference is called the Rising Stars Conference in which many of the famous electrical engineers or IEEE members gather to speak to attendees. Other programs I’ve attended involve a career fair, leadership activities, and opportunities to network. During the conference, other conference are also in session. One example was the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which showcased electronics that will be coming out in the next year or two.

These are some examples of how you can travel when you are involved in extracurricular activities as there are a lot out there to get involved in. Always remember to be involved in the activities or clubs. Student activities and clubs are a great way to become involved on campus and get more out of the college experience.

How to apply for travel funds and obtain funding:

Depending on the extracurricular activity, not everyone is fortunate to travel... but a club or activity can find funding to be able to travel if they have plans, such as the one described about the IEEE Conference in Las Vegas or field trips to Chena Hot Springs. One way to find funding at UAF is to speak to the Associates Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks; student government or ASUAF for short. The process of applying for travel funds is to obtain the travel funds form and fill out the required information. It is best advised to not delay the form as the deadlines happen near the end of the second month of school. Advisor signatures, trip information, budget sheets are some examples of requested information. Travel can happen anytime of the year until the end of next semester and funds are solely reimbursable, so hold onto all of your receipts. Other ways to find funding for your travel opportunities include fundraising events, funding from established campus organizations (e.g. IEEE) or outside sources. Do be careful with the rules when it comes to asking for donations from sources outside of UAF. Cautionary measures are advised via student organization meetings. More information can be found (here) and or can visit the student organization office in the Wood Center.



Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A Summer with Alaska Department of Fish and Game on the Susitna River

Just another day at the office

Posted by Lindsey

Imagine living in the woods next to a river with no running water for 3.5 months… This was my summer internship with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).  And I absolutely loved it!
Morning shift fish wheel check
It all started in a huge search for internships with ADF&G and similar agencies, like US Fish and Wildlife. ADF&G had the most to offer, so I began the application process. I applied for 6 internships around the state including: Fairbanks, Glennallen, Anchorage, Palmer, Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. Cover letters were written, resumes edited and application packets scanned and sent.Then the wait for a call for an interview began. Fairbanks and Palmer called, interviews were completed. Finally, it all ended with a call from both Fairbanks and Palmer, and both with job offers. I was so incredibly excited! I got the call from Palmer while I was in Fred Meyers, and I couldn’t help but leap around with excitement and do a little happy dance! I accepted the College Intern II position with the Palmer Sport Fish division.

Drift net shift!
Right after school was out for the summer, I was headed down to Palmer to start work. There was about a week of in-town work, then we packed up the boats, headed to the field and never looked back. The first few days were spent setting up camp: putting up our tents, unpacking tools, assembling the kitchen tent, organizing the office tent, pretty much getting everything habitable for the months to come. Then came the launching of the fish wheels. This was quite an undertaking that included a lot of rope, some PVC rollers and a barge to pull them off the bank where they were stored on for the winter. Here’s a video of the launch for one of the fish wheels: https://vimeo.com/112847233. Once the live boxes were attached, the fish wheels were moved into their spots along the river bank and we started spinning the fish wheels. A few days later, we started counting and tagging Chinook (king) salmon, and this marked the start of our 2014 field season.
Season record:1190mm/ 46.8 in
Our primary focus was to count all the fish that came through the fish wheels, for abundance estimates and radio tag Chinook (king), Coho (silver), and Pink salmon to track spawning distributions, as well as pull scales on Sockeye (red) salmon for aging purposes.
During Chinook season, we had 2 fish wheel crews and one drift net crew. Drift net shifts were everyone’s favorite, especially when the fishing was good! But for Coho season, there was no drift net shift, just fish wheels, sad. For both fish wheels and drift net, healthy fish were tagged and injured or sickly fish were counted then promptly returned to the river to continue their journey to their spawning grounds. It was really cool to see some of the injuries fish could get though, and it was often indicative of what tried to eat the fish. Injuries ranged from toothed whales like belugas, to seals, to squid, to various sharks, and lets not forget the elusive Dagger tooth.
A shark attack survivor
One of a fishes many predators, but oh so adorable











Not only was the job super awesome, but I made some great friends while working out there. My crew mates were awesome. For Chinook season there were 6 of us, then for Coho season we went down to a 4 person crew. And what a fun crew we had! We often stayed up late playing games, laughing, watching movies, or discussing life or the vastness of space.
Now you’re probably still wondering about the living situation… It was a unique situation, but it was pretty neat too. The kitchen area was a weatherport tent with all the modern amenities except a microwave. We had a propane stove and refrigerator. We had called in a grocery list once a week and groceries were delivered a day or so later by boat from town. But what about a shower you say? We had a shower stall constructed of plywood with a small propane heated shower unit so we had warm water for our showers… most of the time. There were occasionally shower issues in which case we heated water on the stove and took a bucket shower, which was just as good as any other shower! And finally the outhouse… The outhouse was awesome! Just a typical outhouse with a window that afforded you a nice view of the river, and the sunset/sunrise if you happened to be there at the right time of day.
Farewell Mainstem
Overall it was a great summer! I learned a ton and I’m a halfway decent boat operator now. And I can honestly say, I surprised myself a little bit. I figured I’d adjust to living in a tent on a riverbank with no running water alright, but I never realized how much I would like it. I took to that lifestyle really well and ended up loving it out there. It was especially cool when the coyotes would sing to each other at 2 am. There’s nothing like it!
Thank you Alaska Department of Fish and Game for offering such awesome internships! It was a summer I’ll remember for a long time! See ya’ll next year.



Monday, November 10, 2014

Heat Is Neat, Frost Doesn’t Cost, But Ice Isn’t Nice

Posted by Eli

Weather in Fairbanks is a unique beast to deal with. The temperature ranges around mid-80s in the summer time to frigid winter colds of 40 below. Many people would question how to live in such conditions, but there are many methods for dealing with this madness. Most incoming students arrive in the fall semester. During this time, sunny days can reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Remember those parkas you brought? Probably would be a good idea to make a trip to Value Village - local thrift shop in Fairbanks -  by either bus or by bumming a ride from a nice friend with a car. This is the time of the academic year to get outside every chance you can get and enjoy the weather!


However, this initial warm glow from the weather dies down around October. Here temperatures begin a gradual decline (or sometimes suddenly plummet) into winter.  There is still enough daylight that one may be confused about how the temperature can be a bit chilly. Still no need for a parka; a windbreaker or thick hoodie will give a nourishing hug of warmth on the scramble between buildings.

Once November hits there is most likely going to be a fresh layer of snow on the ground.  Now, for those of you that are not used to snow, there is nothing terrible about snow...unless of course you have to shovel whole driveways at which point snow is not your friend. The most unpleasant part of winter isn’t the frost rather the ice. Even as temperatures drop to the point of feeling that your eyes may freeze, it is easy to bundle up with layer after layer. No one will judge you for wearing long johns, jeans, snow pants, two hoodies, arctic jacket, and a face mask to class.

Ice is a difficult foe to conquer. Even the nimblest of walkers eventually fall prey to a slip on a glazed patch of dastardly ice. To conquer the ice, seek out a pair of ice cleats sponsored by the UAF Office of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management (EHSRM). These ice cleats are plastic shoe sole covers that add small metal spikes to the bottom of your shoes. Once wearing the ice cleats, slick patches of ice are child’s play.  No more will you sore your body, and your pride, by falling in public places with an excess of observers. As a bonus they are easy to apply and remove!

Finally, in March, warm temperatures begin to thaw the Fairbanks and the UAF campus.  Dreaded ice begins to melt, daylight increases, and temperatures rise. Breezes no longer feel like bone rippling chills but rather a refreshment of warmth.  Everything only gets better towards the end of the semester when the green grass returns and you are left with finals completed and a warm tingle of accomplishment in your heart.     

The Circus is at UAF!

posted by Lida

Gymnasts, Aerial Artists, and Acrobats galore:
If you're like me and have ever had the distant (or maybe not-so-distant) dream of running away and joining the circus, then UAF is the place for you! You can put that running away bit to the side for a few more years, though, because all of our circus groups meet right here, on campus, in our very own Student Recreation Center (SRC). So, whether your end goal is to be an aerial performer in Cirque du Soleil, an acrobat on America's Got Talent, or a contortionist in Las Vegas, come check us out!


Aerial Silks
See them flying, soaring, gracefully twisting and turning between two streams of silk. But don't just sit back and watch, there is no better time than now to join them! As the saying goes here at UAF: "there's a club for that." Our Aurora Aerial Arts club was founded just last school year, but since then it has become quite the hit on campus. Students from all walks of life, study interests and skill levels are invited and encouraged to take part; this club turns absolutely no one away. They meet twice a week in the dance studio of the SRC (Monday & Wednesday, 8 - 9:30pm). Stop by and learn the basic locks, knots, and seemingly impossible moves; or if you are a veteran of the arts, come hone your skills, spread your knowledge and even choreograph a routine with your fellow aerial fanatics.

Stick around at the end of the aerial session, and you may even be invited to join the acrobats as they practice the new moves they've seen in YouTube videos over the course of the week...



Partner Acrobatics
This bunch can be seen performing absolutely anywhere, anytime. Since they require no further equipment beyond a partner and a decent amount of trust, you can catch them hand-standing on someone's shoulders, flipping on someone's feet or just posing in some crazy position in front of some cool landmark anywhere on or off campus. From its simple beginnings as an offshoot of the aerial silks club, partner acrobatics has become a small community on campus. They are no official club at the moment, but they do have regular meetings in the SRC dance studio as well (after silks on Monday & Wednesday, and Thursday, 6:30pm - whenever). However, if those meeting times don't work perfectly for you, don't sweat it! This fun-loving group is very flexible (pun intended) and meets just about whenever, wherever outside of the regular schedule. They will work with you as long as you, too, share an interest in fun, inclusion and adventure.

But maybe partner work isn't really your style, UAF has something for you as well!



Yoga
Have you ever wondered just how those contortionists on TV can twist their bodies in such insane positions? Or maybe how someone can stay so composed and balanced on a tight-rope (or slackline)? The answer is yoga. Yoga is a great way to steadily get into shape while also maintaining good flexibility. At UAF, multiple yoga classes are offered for all students. There are beginner classes as well as classes for the more experienced yogis. We even have my personal favorite: hot yoga! So if you need a class to calm your nerves, or maybe one to get those abdominal muscles working, UAF has something for you!

So come check us out and help build our circus family!

The complete list of clubs on campus can be found at: http://www.uaf.edu/studentorgs

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Yoga Class

Posted by Lydia

This semester my friend Emmie and I signed up for our first recreation class. The decision was based on being able to see each other during our hectic week and on the side try something new.... so yoga it was. We would be able to spend an hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday together practicing. 

All we needed was a yoga mat and an open mind: our expectation was for the class to revolve around meditation and stretching, but it has been so much more.

Our first class focused on learning the basic poses and "flows" like downward dog and sun salutation. It must have been a funny sight to see us attempt simple balance exercises which resulted in us toppling over. It is important to note that in the first class neither of us could touch our toes! The instructor stressed that in yoga do only as much as you can do. Much to our surprise, by the end of the hour both of us collapsed on our mats exhausted - who knew that yoga was such a workout!

Over the past month and a half, we have learned how to use deep breathing to stay focused throughout the day. Every class ends in shavasana (corpse pose), which is the easiest pose - try it right now! 

Lay on the floor and simply close your eyes and think about nothing. Of course this happens to be my favorite pose and (if done correctly) can take some focus in order to clear your mind.

The instructor told us at the start of the semester that yoga would find a way into each of our lives - when I heard that, I silently chuckled as I couldn't imagine myself taking the time to just sit and focus on my breath. However, I was wrong. I encourage you to look at different classes: who knows what it could teach you. As for me, I am already searching for my "fun class" next semester and will continue to touch my toes every morning!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Not Every University

Posted by Kayleen

Every university can boast about their students, faculty, staff, location, etc. But there are some things fairly unique to the University of Alaska Fairbanks that are certainly worth mentioning. So I have compiled a list of 30 things that UAF does/has that not every university does for your reading pleasure!

Not Every University...

1. Has a School of Management that boasts 100% job placement rate for undergraduates that complete their Accounting Degree, and the College of Engineering and Mines has nearly that same job placement rate for all undergraduates who complete a degree. 

2. Has 7 different types of Engineering Degrees-- Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Geological Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Computer Engineering. They also have a Computer Science Degree.

3. Has a ski and snowboard terrain park. Ours is conveniently located close to the Student Recreation Center, and there is a program on campus where you can rent gear to use both on and off campus (Outdoor Adventures). More information here.

4. Has a brand new dining facility (just finished this fall!) called Dine49, plus a brand new cafe with extended hours, Arctic Java.

5. Has an office specifically designed to promote volunteerism and leadership (the Leadership Involvement and Volunteer Experience office, which we call LIVE). 

6. Has on campus housing specifically for people who want to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle (the Sustainable Village).

7. Not only gives students an opportunity to graduate with Leadership Honors, but also has a Leadership Minor.

8. Has a shuttle system with a heated waiting area for students wanting a ride to a different part of campus.

9. Has a student ID that doubles as a bus pass for the city bus system.

10. Gives their students free passes to D I and D II sports.

11. Has on campus student housing available for 365 days a year.

12. Has an expansion of the engineering building in the works that will result in a LEED Silver Certification for Green Building Standards, and connect the College of Engineering and Mines with the Bunnell building, which houses the School of Management.

13. Has over 100 active student clubs and organizations, with the opportunity for anyone to start a new one every semester.

14. Organizes buses to drive students almost 300 miles to watch their hockey team play their biggest rivals in the Governer's Cup hockey match at the end of March. This takes place during Winter Carnival, one of our three Nanook Traditions (Starvation Gulch, Winter Carnival, and SpringFest).

15. Has an on-campus pub that, due to its strict ID checking policy and the fact that it only serves beer and wine, reduces the instances of drunk driving, and provides a safe environments for students of age to drink.

16. Has (as of 2013) an 11:1 student to faculty ratio.

17. Has instituted a program that provides a study group leader to the traditionally more difficult classes. We call them Supplemental Instructors, and they are present in many science classes.

18. Has an office dedicated to helping students get started/fund undergraduate research. It's called the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities office.

19. Has a  university owned rocket launch station (Poker Flats), which is sponsored by the Geophysical Institute under contract to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.

20. Houses the Alaska Interior Medical Education Summit, which is a full day of panels and presentations on different careers paths after college for anyone interested in the medical field.

21. Hosts a week long, campus wide Humans Versus Zombies game that any student of UAF is welcome to join.

22. Has a community of people who choose to live without water in "dry cabins".

23. Has every piece of literature ever written on Alaska Native Languages.

24. Has housing specifically for students from rural areas of Alaska, called the Eileen Panigeo MacLean House.

25. Has an outdoor rock climbing wall that, in the winter, is turned into an ice climbing wall.

26. Has Battleship as an intramural sport. In Battleship, teams are in canoes in the on campus pool, and they attempt to capsize other teams by dumping buckets of water in their canoes.

27. Has a Global Class Ice-Capable Research Vessel, the R/V Sikuliaq.

28. Has claims to mineral deposits throughout the state.

29. Has a tradition where teams build massive structures out of pallets, and then school officials light those structures on fire. We call it Starvation Gulch. We also have two other traditions, Winter Carnival and SpringFest. Winter Carnival is basically a huge weekend of fun, packed with games, competitions, and a trip to Governer's Cup (see number 14). SpringFest is a weekend where we get Friday off from school, and have all sorts of activities--including a concert--to go to! We love our Nanook Traditions!

30. Has the 40 Below Club, where students pose in bathing suits in front of the temperature sign when it reads -40F.

There are so many more unique things about UAF! I definitely encourage all prospective students to email a Student Ambassador with questions, or just to get to know more about the campus. If possible, come learn more amazing facts on a tour! 



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Why Fairbanks, Alaska is the Raddest Place on Earth

Posted by Valerie 

I first came to Fairbanks with the intention of going to school, getting some requirements out of the way, and then moving on to someplace else. I was looking for someplace warmer, someplace different, someplace that wasn’t the same state where I’d lived my whole life, dreaming of the big city.

As you’ve probably already guessed, that backfired. I fell in love with Fairbanks the way Alicia Silverstone falls in love in Clueless, with a friendly sort of banter merging into an epiphany of everlasting love with Paul Rudd. 

"Oh my God. I'm in love with Josh!"
http://alittlefragile.tumblr.com/post/3918433538
For me, this epiphany came when my parents visited me in the spring (in Fairbanks, still winter) of my freshman year. My mom, shivering under three coats on our way to eat dinner, sighed and said “Valerie! How can you stand it?”

 My response was “I know, isn’t it great?”

In that moment, I realized with perfect clarity that I don't want to be anywhere else. That my heart had unabashedly given itself to this frozen wasteland 200 miles from the Arctic Circle. That Fairbanks was home.

I love that in Fairbanks, you can wear hats--warm hats--from September through April. I love the feeling of snuggling under a pile of blankets, knowing that if you walk out your front door, the temperature will drop 110 degrees. I love the “we’re all in this together” atmosphere that develops in a community where there’s no guarantee that your car will start in the morning. I love the aurora, quietly making the long dark nights beautiful, and the clarity and intensity of the air on the frigid nights when you’re most likely to see colors in the sky. 

The warmth of the people here more than makes up for the chilly temperatures. People at UAF aren't accepted for their differences; they are celebrated and embraced for them. Being "weird" isn't the exception, it's the norm. And as a result, I'm consistently surrounded by unique people who understand that their individuality is what makes our little Fairbanks community vibrant, people who you love and who love you back. Unconditionally.

This is my home.

PS: Just a note to all you prospective students out there--Fairbanks is always an option. It could be your home too!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Ally Week

Posted by Sage


What is an Ally? 

Now you may have heard of the term ally, but what exactly does that mean? 
The definitions may vary but one decidedly stands out among the rest.  

Ally 
"A person who associates with or cooperates with another; a supporter" 

And that is what being an ally means, supporting or cooperating with someone despite your differences and working towards a more just and peaceful world. 

Now hopefully this basic definition helps you realize what an ally is, but you might still be pondering on why exactly you should be one, and if so how you can be one. 

Now the why question is actually pretty simple to answer, it's nice when people treat you well, right? And it's not nice when people disrespect you, agreed? So the reason you might consider being an ally is that if you are one you will be treating people in a respectful manner. 

How can you be an ally?
(courtesy of UAF GSA group)












Simple, treat people with respect regardless of their differences or who they are. Simply understand that people are people. Now this week from the October 13th-17th is Ally week, and GSA is putting on various events throughout the week that present a wide variety of information regarding how to be an ally and how to understand the LGBTQ+ community.  

I hope everyone will consider attending some of the events going on this week, and if you attend 6 or more events and get your punch cards signed you can enter a drawing for prizes. GSA is tabling today and Tuesday and we will be distributing punch cards and giving out information as to what the events entail. Punch cards must be signed by Brandy Floures, Zoey Kohrt, or the guest speaker of each event. 
   
Hope people can make it, and remember to be kind to one another.

Sage Tixier. 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Aurora Borealis

Posted by Serena


If you spend a winter in Fairbanks, it is almost a guarantee that you will witness the northern lights. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that light up the midnight sky with stellar colors.

What exactly is the aurora?

The northern lights originate on the surface of the sun when a cloud of gaseous particles are ejected into space and carried by the solar wind. It takes nearly three days for the mass of gasses to arrive to the earth. As it nears the earth’s atmosphere, it collides with the earth’s magnetic field. When these electrically charged particles enter the magnetic field, they generate currents towards the north and south magnetic poles. The lights tend to band around the magnetic pole and the larger amount of charged particles means the bigger the band around the pole. As the band of particles begins to grow in size around the magnetic north pole, the further south the majestic northern lights can be spotted.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is a great resource if one is interested in viewing the northern lights because they publish an Aurora Forecast every day.

 http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

On Friday, September 26th the forecast was “Active”. Looking out my dorm window on campus, I could see dancing green bands overhead so I decided to go aurora hunting, armed with my camera. I haven’t had much experience photographing the Aurora but I did not leave disappointed! 

Noah's Norwegian Narrative (An In-Depth Look Into International Exchange)

Posted by Noah


My name is Noah Betzen, and I am pursuing a bachelor of science in computer science through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In August of 2013, I left the United States and travelled to Narvik, Norway to study as an exchange student through the north2north international student exchange program. I spent ten months there studying nothing but Norwegian language and social studies.

There is an old joke that goes: If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American. This joke was, in essence, my motivation for studying abroad. Studying abroad and learning another language have always been on my list of things to do before I die. I studied Spanish for two years in high school, but I was never really interested in the language. I didn’t feel a particular connection to the language or culture. Norwegian was a language I felt that I could identify with. My ancestry is almost purely Norwegian, and it felt right. The majority of people I have talked to about traveling/studying abroad have said that their time abroad was the best period of their lives. I was always a bit skeptical that any time I spent abroad would be particularly amazing. I’ve always been a somewhat unadventurous introvert. There was something about this adventure that was different. I figured that learning the language would give me a more long-term result that I could show for my time abroad. I hoped that learning another language would broaden my perspective on life and the world. I wasn’t just going to learn another language; I was going to learn another culture by leaving my own. It was like a pseudo fresh start.

Before I got to Norway, I had no idea what to expect. I'd never really been out of the US before. I didn’t want to put much thought into it either, because in my experience it is best to go with the flow when it comes to big changes. I still had the occasional panic attack when setbacks came up, but for the most part I took things in stride.

When I got to Norway, I knew nothing and I knew no one. As soon as I landed in Oslo, I could tell that the atmosphere around me was different. Very few people around me were speaking English, and so the background noise was mostly Norwegian. I felt out of place, almost as though the people around me could subconsciously know that I was an American, even though there were no weird glances or stares. I shortly realized that, as far as anyone else was concerned, I was just a normal person. Even if they realized I was American, it’s not like it mattered. I stumbled my way through Oslo and eventually to Narvik with English. Luckily, most people under thirty have a decent to excellent grasp of English; it almost felt like cheating when I spoke English.

The culture shock I experienced in Norway wasn’t blatant; it was subtle and gradual. At first glance, Norway was a lot like the United States. Norwegians drive on the right (read: correct) side of the road. Most Norwegians speak English, especially if they are young. They consume American entertainment media. That’s about where the similarities stop. Norwegian bank notes are all different sizes and colors. Most places don’t accept credit or debit cards without an RFID chip. There is a different set of traffic signs that are difficult to learn. Most grocery stores don’t sell sliced bread; they have a special bread-cutting machine you have to use. Laundry machines operate slightly differently. Norwegian college students consume low-quality and cheap pizzas in the same way American college students consume ramen. There are two types of cheese in Norway: yellow and brown. There are electric water kettles in almost every room. The way doors open (push or pull) are generally reversed than what I was used to. Tipping your servers is seen as a strange thing to do. Norwegians rely heavily on the use of direct money transfers for everything not requiring a card or cash payment. Almost every single store imaginable is closed on Sundays by law. Grocery store check-out machines will not process any sales of alcohol after a certain time (even when the store is still open for another several hours). There is a period between May 1st and May 17th where high schoolers are allowed and almost expected to have a crazy and organized party where they drink and generally cause trouble for the sake of tradition. I learned of each of these things one at a time as I began to explore and communicate more, and every time I was confused and made a mental note of it.

Learning the Norwegian language was a roller coaster ride. The class itself was a single 30-credit class. We met five times a week for an average of four hours a day. In the beginning, things were reasonably easy. I learned the greetings, farewells, question words, and simple nouns/verbs/adjectives. Pronunciations got difficult with the letters æ, ø, å, and the different pronunciations of letters like o, u, and y. Things began to escalate quickly as we had to write our first 200-word essays in the third week. Shortly after we abandoned speaking English almost entirely. By December we were into advanced grammar and sentence structure. By February we were reading Norwegian novels and giving presentations. By the end of the course, we had gone through three sets of text books, had Norwegian-Norwegian dictionaries we carried around religiously, and I had compiled almost four-thousand words and phrases in an online quiz database. I spoke Norwegian whenever I could, using English only with those who couldn’t speak Norwegian (other international students who weren’t enrolled in the language course) or with those Norwegians who wanted to practice their English.

Norwegians as a people are very stalwart and patriotic. They love the outdoors, and they tend to keep to themselves (when they are not drinking at a social event). When they drink (and they drink often), they are much more social and outgoing. In either case, they love celebrating their Norwegian blood. Their national love of skiing is impressive, and televisions are always crowded when there are Norwegians participating in a ski event, especially against Sweden or Denmark. I purchased a book titled “Xenophobe’s Guide To The Norwegians,” and the first sentence of the book is, “Norwegians define themselves in simple terms: they are not Swedish.” Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are like awkward pale siblings who constantly bicker and fight for superiority in any way that they can.

Befriending a Norwegian is supposedly a difficult task without some concrete shared interest or reason to be around them. I received a bit of advice from a Norwegian I met during my time at the International Science Fair back in 2011. He told me, “to break through the crisp icy shields of my Norwegian kinsmen you’ll need more than a trained tongue.” I was lucky enough to make a good Norwegian friend (named Erlend, pronounced ‘Ehr-len’) through a mutual interest in video games. I also became pretty good friends with his roommates and friends, and I would occasionally join them in dinners or parties. This made my time abroad much easier.

As a country, Norway is very forward thinking. They are a well-functioning welfare state, so education and healthcare are paid for. Norwegians generally aren’t worried about being able to finish their education or receive care for any injuries or sicknesses because they know that they will be able to afford it. Norway regularly ranks as one of the happiest and richest countries in the world for a reason.

Technically I didn’t spend my entire time abroad in Norway. I made one notable trip to capital cities of Sweden and then Denmark during my winter break. If you don’t already know, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have extremely close histories. Norway was owned by both Denmark and Sweden (respectively) at one point in time. The languages of the three are all very similar, enough so that I could vaguely understand what was going on. Norwegian’s written form is more similar to Danish, but in pronunciation it’s more similar to Swedish than Danish. Essentially, Norwegian is Danish spoken in Swedish. I’m digressing at this point (although I did go to Norway to learn about language). To start my trip, I took a 24-hour train ride from my host city of Narvik (Norway) to Stockholm (Sweden). I didn’t particularly enjoy the train ride, especially since it was during the dead of winter. I decided to fly from Stockholm to Copenhagen (Denmark) due to my distaste of trains at the time, and I sure as heck flew from Copenhagen back to Narvik. While in Stockholm and Copenhagen, I stayed in hostels and walked around and took tours and bought expensive souvenirs and tasted strange new alcohols. At this point in my Norwegian study, I didn’t even know enough to hold a conversation with a Norwegian, let alone a Swede or a Dane, but I managed well enough with English. I spent Christmas in Copenhagen and was back in Narvik in time for New Year’s Eve. The entire trip was lovely, and it definitely helped revitalize my soul for the coming semester. My next similar trip wouldn’t happen until the end of my exchange.

Near the end of my Norwegian journey, I had the chance to actually travel around Norway with my girlfriend, mother, and mother’s friend in a typical tourist fashion. This was odd to both me and the Norwegians around me, as I had a decent competency of the language and vaguely understood Norwegian life. Employees of tourist attractions generally don’t expect their customers to speak their language unless they are retirees who finally have the chance to travel. Nevertheless, this was an amazing experience, as it gave me a big final chance to practice everything I had been learning for the past ten months. We travelled to Trondheim, Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Oslo. In each of these cities we walked around and visited the major attractions and generally hung out doing whatever we wanted. My favorite activity was a two hour (each way) hike my girlfriend and I went on outside of Stavanger to a rock formation known as Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), and you can see a photo of that at the end of this post. For most of the trip, I regularly translated and interpreted for my party, which made things much easier for all of us. It was a very empowering feeling to be able to communicate effectively enough with Norwegian strangers, and it definitely rounded out my exchange experience well.

Now that the entire experience is over, I definitely feel like a changed person. I learned a lot more than a language. I learned a lot about being in new surroundings on my own. I learned to appreciate not only my own country and people, but all countries and peoples. I made many good friends with other international students from countries all over the world, each with their own language and culture that was different from my own.

Someday I want to go back to Norway. In fact, I’d like to live there permanently if I can. That dream will take quite a while to accomplish, as Norway doesn’t allow dual-citizenship, and the United States doesn’t allow revocation of citizenship. Perhaps I will become a Swedish citizen and move to Norway. I will have to see what the future holds. In either case, I need to finish my degree. After that, I can consider my options.

If there is one thing I’m trying to say with this writing, it is this: at least once in your life you should travel or study abroad for an extended period of time. If you can learn another language while you’re there, do it. No matter what happens, your experience will be worth it, especially if you embrace the fact that you are in a completely different country. This is especially important for Americans, as many of us can easily live our entire lives without getting the chance to visit another country or learn another language besides English.

Photo 1: The town of Narvik

Photo 2: Høgskolen i Narvik (Narvik University College)

Photo 3: My classmates and teachers 

Photo 4: Representing UAF in Stavanger

Photo 5: Preikestolen outside of Stavanger

Monday, September 29, 2014

Student Jobs and Where to Find Them

Posted by Kayleen


Thinking back, I remember when I was getting ready to come to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I knew I'd need a job while I went to school, but I just couldn't figure out where to go. It seemed like I would have to wait in order to apply for jobs, and that I would be better off finding one off campus. Boy was I wrong. It turns out that UAF has a phenomenal Career Services office, and their website is super easy to navigate. There's also the option to check out UAK Jobs, where you can actually find and apply to on campus jobs. Some people definitely prefer to get off campus for work--if you're already spending all your class time on campus, it feels good to get away--but on campus jobs are a great option if you're looking to save gas and work around your schedule as a student. 

I held an off campus job my second semester here at UAF. Though I enjoyed the work, it was hard to balance 5 classes on campus, 20 hours of work off campus, and living in the opposite direction as my job. The following semester, I decided to look at my options on campus. I'm so glad I did! I ended up being hired as a Student Assistant to a Dean, which has resulted in making some fantastic connections, a really fun work environment, and the ability to fit in work around my class schedule. Now, instead of only being able to work when I'm done for the day, I can work in between classes, and get home before 5pm. Before, I wasn't even able to start work before 5pm! Whenever I have a block of time over 45 minutes, I can come into work, get what I need to do done, and then head right back to class. They're even happy to give me some time off if I ever need extra study time. 

Next March will mark my second full year of working in this office. It's been such a fantastic experience. But what's even better about on campus jobs is that not all of them stick you in an office. If you love to shovel snow, there's a student job for that. If you're interested in a career in law enforcement, you can find a job at the Police Department on campus. If you have a burning desire to do research, there are many Research Assistant positions waiting to be filled. There are also many more that I'm not mentioning, as well.  

In summary, UAF has some great options for employment, and if you're not sure where to start, go towww.uaf.edu/career or call Career Services at (907) 474-7596. They're super friendly and always willing to help.  If you want to know what having a student job is like, don't hesitate to ask! 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Zombies! Humans! Nerf Guns! OH MY!

Posted by Tiana


The third annual Humans v. Zombies game at UAF has come a little early this year. While it’s usually held in the spring, the Mod. Squad has decided that separating the snow and ice from running would be a better idea.

Set to begin on September 28 and finish with a big finale on October 4, Humans v. Zombies is keeping its usual week-long game and will only be happening once a year.



Humans are required to keep an orange cloth in between their shoulder and elbow to signify that they are humans, and zombies are required to wear orange cloth around their heads. The game is played by beginning with a set number of Original Zombies (or OZs for short) who do not have to wear headbands for the first 24 hours of game-play. Humans are encouraged to play out in the open so that the infection can be simulated successfully.

In order to turn a human into a zombie, a zombie must make physical contact with a human, much like the simple tap in a game of tag. The humans must then give their Human Identification Number to the zombie so that the zombie may input the tag into hvzsource, signifying that they have fed. If a zombie goes without feeding (i.e., getting a tag) for 48 hours, then the zombie will be turned into a corpse and will no longer be able to play. Thankfully, when getting a tag, you are able to share your feed with up to 2 other people.

Of course humans have a way to defend themselves from zombies, and that is by carrying around unmodified Nerf Guns, using marshmallow guns, or clean, balled up socks. While zombies do not die by being hit with these “weapons”, they are stunned for 15 minutes in standard game-play, or for 5 minutes in mission game-play, giving the human plenty of time to escape to safety.

Special missions that award prizes and power-ups happen every day for both human and zombie enjoyment. Of these power-ups you will find cures (turning zombies back to humans), stem-packs (making a tag not count), and the Witch upgrade (a Witch is a third-party that goes after both humans and zombies).

The players of HvZ have helped build it into not only a fun game, but a successful Residence Life program. In its first year, HvZ was awarded April Program of the Month, as well as Program of the Year. The game, played by just under 300 students in the past two years, has the purpose of getting students out and about campus to have fun, run around, and gain a sense of community amongst themselves. At the end of each game, a celebration known as the Apocalypse Party will be held in the Hess Rec. Center at MBS, this year on October 5.


Registration began on September 17, and tables will be held on Monday and Friday from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and on Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. All tables will be held at the MBS Lobby on upper campus.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Summer 2014 Inside Out!



Sometimes the process of getting to know colleges and figuring out which school is "the one" can feel like an impossible task. Especially on top of a high school student's already busy schedule! However, UAF provides a fun-filled day of tours and activities, aimed at helping to answer to your toughest college questions. Discover UAF: Inside Out is a great way to get to know the UAF campus and our admissions process. By attending Inside Out, students get to meet staff and faculty from all over campus, and will be guided through the necessary steps to apply and enroll as a UAF student. This is also a family event, so bring your parents because we will have information and activities just for them!

This free event is happening Friday, June 27th, 2014 from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm! Be sure to register in advance! Registration closes Monday, June 23rd at 1:00pm.

Register Here!

Already admitted to UAF? We will be having on the spot registration to finish up any last minute to-dos before courses begin this fall. We are so excited to have you as apart of Nanook Nation!


The schedule for the day will include:

8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. - Check-in and registration (Murie Lobby)
Come in and enjoy a light breakfast while checking in. Meet UAF’s schools and colleges to find out about some of our exciting degree programs.

8:40 a.m. - Welcome (Murie Auditorium)
Inspiration starts here. Find out the details of your day and what it’s like to be a part of Nanook Nation.

9:15 a.m. - STUDENTS: Mock Classes (Various Locations)
Catch a glimpse of what the classroom experience is like at UAF in a class taught by one of our distinguished faculty.

9:15 a.m. - PARENTS: Transitioning to College (Murie Building)
Every year millions of parents send their children off to college. This panel answers your questions about how we can work together to best support your child.

10:15 a.m. - Walking tours (Murie lobby)
Pack your comfortable shoes. This walking tour will take you through residence life, academic buildings and recreational facilities.
Accommodations are available for individuals with mobility challenges.

11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Choose Your Own Schedule
There are many options in college. Use this time to create your own schedule and check out a few of our inspiring opportunities, services and places:
On Your Own:
  • Lunch (Lola Tilly Commons) - Enjoy a buffet lunch at our campus dining hall.
  • Study away session 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Wood Center C, D, E, F) - Learn more about the many ways UAF students can study away – either internationally or within the U.S.
  • Honors House (520 Copper Lane) - Drop by the Honors House to learn about both the Honors Program and the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities (URSA) programs.
  • URSA (Bunnell Building) - Visit URSA, our Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities. Learn about research opportunities you can become involved with as an student.
  • Bookstore (Constitution Hall) - Take a break to check out the apparel in the bookstore. While there, learn about the different options for renting or buying textbooks.
  • Safety first! (Whitaker Building) - Visit the Whitaker Building - home of the UAF Police Station, the University Fire Department, University Health and Counseling and Disability Services.
  • Rural Student Services (Brooks Building) - Stop by to find out more on how RSS supports Alaska Native and rural students.
  • Student Support Services (514 Gruening Building) - Learn about scholarships, advising and resources available for first generation college students, limited-income college students and/or students with disabilities.

1:15 p.m. -1:45 p.m. - Shuttles will be running from lower campus Wood Center bus stop to Murie Building

2:00 p.m. - STUDENTS: UAF student panel (Murie Building) 
Student Ambassadors will answer your questions about why they chose UAF and what it’s really like to be a college student.

2:00 p.m. - PARENTS: Taking care of business panel (Murie Building)
Representatives from the offices of Admissions and the Registrar, Financial Aid, Residence Life, Student Support Services and the Office of the Bursar will de-mystify the details of successfully navigating the first year of college.

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Reception (Murie lobby)
Enjoy some refreshments while you take a picture with the Nook!

For more details click here!


Whether you are already admitted or just beginning to think about college, UAF's Inside Out has something for everyone. We can't wait to have you on campus and introduce you to our world and show you that when you are apart of Nanook Nation, you are apart of something bigger!


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Collegiate Wind Turbine Competition in Las Vegas

Posted by Bruce


Hey guys!
I haven't posted a blog post in a while, but I hope you enjoy this read.

Over the year, UAF's engineering students have been involved in a collegiate wind turbine competition that had been started for the first time this year by the Department of Energy (DOE). The team consisted of 8 Mechanical, 2 Electrical, and 1 Business student. This whole project started first by the Mechanical Engineering Professor Rorik Peterson. He had heard about this project and applied to participate. DOE had only 10 Universities participate in this event in which we were fortunate to be one of them. One of the reasons we were chosen is because of our climate and characteristics of our State.


The picture above is a photo of our wind turbine team, "The Blades of Glory". We had first thought of "Breaking Wind" as our team name, but had to change due to some issue.

The picture above is a photo of our electrical components mounted to our generator.


The above picture is our fully built wind turbine getting ready to be test run in Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Conference Room. This room literally reminds me of a huge airplane manufacturing building.

 Here is another picture of our turbine in which this has another electrical component that got attached. If you look closer you can see that electrical tape is all over our turbine, and we had good reasons for this. Trust me... I'm an Engineer.
Here is another photo showing the front of the turbine and the blades with a cone. The blades were 3D printed with AVS 3D printing material. At first we were not building the blades to withstand high wind speeds and it would explode! The operating turbine would spin dangerously in which one can imagine its power being compared to a high powered rifle.

Right now as I am making this blog post, we are attending the turbine competition in Vegas. We are very fortunate to have all of the team members participate and help each other to finish this project. I encourage students to participate in cool projects like these if you ever get to hear about them because you learn a lot through experience.