NOLS - Semester in Alaska

  United States

Palmer

Term: Summer 

Description: Your Semester in Alaska includes everything from forested coastlines to the snow and ice of the high mountain peaks, to the tundra and rivers in between. In the long days of the northern summer, you'll have plenty of time to learn about and travel through wild Alaska. In the Land of the Midnight Sun, your rhythms will change as you fall into sync with the way of the North.

Hiking takes you to the continent's largest assemblage of glaciers and its greatest collection of peaks over 16,000 feet in elevation. The semester's mountaineering section travels even further into this area, an ideal training ground for learning to live and climb on snow and ice.

Finally, you will spend 23 days sea kayaking in Prince William Sound. Amidst all this activity, you can also expect an extensive environmental studies curriculum, giving you a unique perspective on some of the worlds most stunning wilderness.

After honing skills and leadership for 75 days at NOLS Alaska, you can be confident traveling in a variety of wilderness settings.

* Sea Kayaking
You'll explore the wilderness coastline of Prince William Sound by starting with basics, such as learning how to load your sea kayak, then moving to more advanced topics in a gradual progression that allows for quality learning. Classes will include paddling techniques, ocean hazards, tidal evaluation, natural history and risk management. You'll camp among the spruce or on rocky beaches and glean lessons from your instructors and coursemates.

* Backpacking
Learning how to pack a backpack and walk lightly on the tundra of the Talkeetna Mountains kicks off this section. Then you'll progress to studying flora and fauna of the region, learning practical leadership skills, and practicing Leave No Trace camping techniques. Map reading, river crossing, bear camping, hazard identification and decision-making will all be part of your continuing education.

* Glacier Mountaineering
This section includes intensive skill training for living and climbing in Alaska's glaciated mountains. You'll learn things such as belaying, anchors, rope systems, crevasse rescue and ice climbing techniques while practicing basic glacier camping and travel. Crossing vast fields of snow and ice in rope teams will require using the clear judgment and technical and decision-making skills that you have honed all semester.

Highlights:
College Credit:
(Optional)         

16 Semester Credit Hours
2 Hours Biology
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
4 Hours Leadership Techniques
6 Hours Skills Practicum
2 Hours Risk Assessment

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD 9,975

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-15

Scholarships are Available. Tuition at any school involves a significant commitment. NOLS offers several options to help defray the impact of these expenses and to help you protect your investment. Each year NOLS offers over USD 800,000 dollars in scholarship assistance. Scholarship aid is available to applicants who show great potential to excel as NOLS students and who would be unable to attend without financial aid. These scholarship dollars are made available through the generosity of alumni and friends to the NOLS Fund. Our graduates realize the great impact a NOLS education has and volunteer both time and money to further the school's mission. Depending upon course type and cost, the typical award ranges between USD 500 and USD 2,000. Full tuition scholarships are rare, but are possible. Semester scholarships never exceed USD 4,500. Please do not apply for a higher dollar amount than you need. NOLS Scholarship Program: Students who show potential to forward the school's mission and who would be unable to attend without financial assistance may apply for scholarship assistance. Scholarship application deadlines are 4-6 months in advance of the course start date. Call the admission office well in advance for scholarship information and an application.

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

NOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School's Mission Statement: The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.

Year Founded: 1965