The spectacularly remote University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is positioned at 78°N latitude in the Arctic Sea, midway between Norway and the North Pole. It's the world's most northerly university.
Arctic education —
The spectacularly remote University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is positioned at 78°N latitude in the Arctic Sea, midway between Norway and the North Pole. It's the world's most northerly university.
Anisha Shah
UNIS is based in Longyearbyen, a Norwegian community of 2,000 residents in the de-militarized Svalbard archipelago. Russia is the only other country to have a permanent settlement in this region.
Longyearbyen —
UNIS is based in Longyearbyen, a Norwegian community of 2,000 residents in the de-militarized Svalbard archipelago. Russia is the only other country to have a permanent settlement in this region.
Anisha Shah
The glaciated valley of Longyeardalen is lapped by a serene icy fjord and surrounded by snow-encrusted mountains. <br />
Striking location —
The glaciated valley of Longyeardalen is lapped by a serene icy fjord and surrounded by snow-encrusted mountains.
Anisha Shah
Conditions couldn't be more extreme, with winter temperatures plummeting to -15 C (5 F) in a city with no road connections anywhere.
Travel by husky —
Conditions couldn't be more extreme, with winter temperatures plummeting to -15 C (5 F) in a city with no road connections anywhere.
Anisha Shah
There are currently 600 students and 75 staff from around the world. Students come for a four-month semester, with many signing up for another visit or returning as professors.
Top of the world —
There are currently 600 students and 75 staff from around the world. Students come for a four-month semester, with many signing up for another visit or returning as professors.
Anisha Shah
Huskies are just one of the species students might meet at UNIS. Students have had close encounters with reindeer and polar bears. A rifle is required by law for anyone leaving Longyearbyen.
Arctic animals —
Huskies are just one of the species students might meet at UNIS. Students have had close encounters with reindeer and polar bears. A rifle is required by law for anyone leaving Longyearbyen.
Anisha Shah
"I will get a snowmobile to travel beyond this settlement," says student Paul Petersik, from Germany. "I love spontaneity with the outdoors and Longyearbyen is a dream travel launchpad."
Snowmobile —
"I will get a snowmobile to travel beyond this settlement," says student Paul Petersik, from Germany. "I love spontaneity with the outdoors and Longyearbyen is a dream travel launchpad."
Anisha Shah
For centuries, coal mining has been at the heart of life in Longyearbyen, but declining profitability and environmental concerns have hit the industry hard.
Mining community —
For centuries, coal mining has been at the heart of life in Longyearbyen, but declining profitability and environmental concerns have hit the industry hard.
Anisha Shah
The frozen landscapes of the Arctic are drawing worldwide attention, with controversial drilling for oil having just been scrapped as uneconomical by Shell, a move seen as a victory for environmentalists.
Gas station —
The frozen landscapes of the Arctic are drawing worldwide attention, with controversial drilling for oil having just been scrapped as uneconomical by Shell, a move seen as a victory for environmentalists.
Anisha Shah
"Given the beauty of the surroundings, I already feel connected to Svalbard," says geophysics student Stijn Van der Waal, from Holland. "We've been hearing about climate change and it does unease me, as a scientist."
Fragile landscape —
"Given the beauty of the surroundings, I already feel connected to Svalbard," says geophysics student Stijn Van der Waal, from Holland. "We've been hearing about climate change and it does unease me, as a scientist."
Anisha Shah
August is the most traveler-friendly season. Visitors fly into Svalbard Airport, a three-kilometer bus ride from Longyearbyen.
When to visit —
August is the most traveler-friendly season. Visitors fly into Svalbard Airport, a three-kilometer bus ride from Longyearbyen.
Anisha Shah
Tourist boat trips depart from Lonyearbyen. Writer Anisha Shah spent 11 days circumnavigating the Svalbard archipelago.
Touring the archipelago —
Tourist boat trips depart from Lonyearbyen. Writer Anisha Shah spent 11 days circumnavigating the Svalbard archipelago.
Anisha Shah
From the left: Paul Petersik from Germany, Stijn Van der Waal from Holland, Svenja Rudolph and Tom Simmons from England. <br />
UNIS students —
From the left: Paul Petersik from Germany, Stijn Van der Waal from Holland, Svenja Rudolph and Tom Simmons from England.
Anisha Shah
For many undergraduates, the Arctic is their first taste of practical outdoor fieldwork. It's a key part of studies here.
Fieldwork —
For many undergraduates, the Arctic is their first taste of practical outdoor fieldwork. It's a key part of studies here.
Anisha Shah
The deadline for applications for the 2016 spring semester is October 15. Online application for fall semester courses opens at the start of March 2016.
Spring semester —
The deadline for applications for the 2016 spring semester is October 15. Online application for fall semester courses opens at the start of March 2016.
Anisha Shah