This is going to sound cheesy, but my favorite part of the Svalbard trip was hanging out with my new friends. Whether we were doing something as intense as dog sledding or as relaxed as playing cards, the group of students and staff I was with made the whole thing so much more fun. 

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If I had to pick one activity as my favorite – which is harder than it sounds, by the way – I would say watching the sky. So far north, sunrise and sunset last well over an hour, and so far away from any large cities the stars come out in full force. Polaris, the ‘North Star’ was almost directly overhead! Jupiter, Venus, and Mars were also clearly visible against the backdrop of the strong Aurora Borealis and bright full moon.

I also loved the opportunity to try new food and drinks! It’s not every day you get to give smoked whale a shot after all! Everything from the fresh sushi to the pub nachos were excellent.

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While the Svalbard Museum was a hub of history for the island, I think I learned just as much if not more from the locals. I learned about the opportunities for young people at the research university from a student studying there and I learned about the logistical challenges facing the city from an employee of the municipality. I learned about the culture and community of the island from the Solfest concert and from the local librarians. Ultimately, I am in Norway to study abroad and learn all I can while I’m here, so I really enjoy the opportunity to take in so much information.

I learned so much that I must have looked knowledgeable to passersby; I was stopped and asked for directions twice! Even better: I knew where to send them! 

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- Gus

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​​If there’s one place that can make you feel truly alive, it’s Svalbard. One of the absolute highlights of my trip was dog sledding. Before we even set off, the huskies were going wild, barking, jumping, so full of energy that it was impossible not to get caught up in their excitement. But the moment we started moving, everything changed. The barking stopped, and all I could hear was the sound of the sled gliding over the snow and the steady rhythm of the dogs running.

The landscape around me was breathtaking, like a perfect Arctic scene from a film, except I was actually in it. Then there was the polar plunge. Stepping out of the sauna into the crisp Arctic air was refreshing, but the real thrill came when I took the plunge. The second I hit the icy water, every inch of me jolted awake, it was a shock, but in the best possible way.

Instead of fear, I felt pure exhilaration, like my whole body had switched on. I surfaced, laughing, my skin tingling, my heart racing, and in that moment, I had never felt more alive. I rushed back into the warmth of the sauna, wrapped in steam and adrenaline. Svalbard is the kind of place that pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. Whether you’re racing across the tundra with a team of huskies or taking an icy dip you never thought you would do, every experience makes you feel more alive. It’s wild, it’s beautiful, and it’s a trip I’ll never forget. 

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- Tina

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Want to join us next year in Svalbard? Well, no time like the present to send in an application! Apply to the American College of Norway at www.americancollege.no/apply