I have spent a big part of my life in Greenland, both as a child in Maniitsoq and as an adult, studying in Sisimiut. The Arctic has a very special place in my heart, and even though I am ethnically Danish, going to the Northern wilderness feels like coming home. I am currently working as an Intern at the UArctic Thematic Networks office at the University of Oulu, Finland.
I am hoping to work with environmental technology in the Arctic, once I get my degree, but I had never actually considered Finland as a possibility, until I found the internship call. I had a good match with the description and I love to explore new places, so I thought it would be a good chance to experience a new Arctic country, to meet people from the scientific community, and to sharpen my communication and administration skills.
Now, 3 months, a thousand emails, a million keystrokes and about 20 sauna trips later, I couldn't be happier that I made this choice. The people I have met in the UArctic, as well as on the Thule Institute at the University of Oulu have been hospitable, friendly and helpful all the way. I feel like I have learned a lot, not only about the work flow within the academic world, but about how I want to apply my degree once I finish. I have expanded my network and I had a lot of fun.
My impression of the community of Arctic researchers and students in general, and the UArctic in particular, is very positive. The distance between student and professor is minimal, because the community is small, and every effort to participate in the development of the area is greatly appreciated. The Arctic is gaining more and more attention around the world, partly because of the climate changes, which have apparent symptoms in the area, and partly because of natural ressources, which the area is rich in. This, I believe, makes the Arctic a blossoming, scientific community with plenty of exciting challenges, and I am pretty anxious to finish my studies and get started.
Published in 2014. Read Mikkels other testimonials here and here.