Alaska

General intro

This new student-initiated culture subject focusses on Alaskan culture, lifestyles and traditions. The population in Alaska – with its remote geographical location and to some extent harsher environment – have had to adapt their lifestyles to the conditions of what the country and nature provided them. Though a state in the US, many would argue that the cultural traditions may be very different to what we would otherwise think of as American culture.

This subject intends to dive deeper into the history and cultural traditions of this state, explore the nature and environment that have shaped society, communities and relations.

Classes

In class we will be working with the 25 Learning Goals for culture subjects at REC. These learning goals include different knowledge areas and well as working with different skills.

For the Alaska culture subject, we will include a workshop on Intercultural competencies and cultural understanding. The workshop is a combination of theory and exercises.

In relation to knowledge areas, examples could be History and norms versus modern society and globalisation – how does this affect lifestyles and lifestyle choices among younger generations?

As the subject is NEW, a part of the classes will also focus on establishing connections to schools, organisations, community centres etc in Alaska in order to build those relations that may enable us to experience Alaska under the surface, meet and learn from the locals. Students should be prepared to take an active role in shaping the subject.

The trip

Disclaimer: As it is a new subject, many details are not in place. The description is therefore to be considered preliminary!

The trip will bare resemblance to a roadtrip – taking us to a few different destinations in Alaska. We plan to start in Anchorage, drive towards Talkeetna and then drive to Fairbanks – before returning to Anchorage to fly home. The idea is to experience different kind of cities/towns/villages and in extension different kind of culture/lifestyles. We would like to include school visits and/or hoststays, work together with local organisations and/or youth clubs.

It will be a trip that combines exploring amazing nature, bigger cities, small towns, meeting locals – so if that sounds interesting to you and if you want to go to a destination that in many ways is still unmarked by tourism, then consider this subject.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

We have decided to work with goal no. 13 Climate Action and no. 15 Life on Land. Alaska is right on the frontier with its location in relation to climate change, global warming, melting ice, rising water levels. We will look into how Alaska navigates these questions and challenges – both in their every day life but also politically – especially considering the current political stance on the subject in the US in general. We will research these questions in classes before our trip and the goal is to connect to local groups, who can share their perspectives. We hope to be able to gain a better understanding of some of the climate/environmental challenges Alaska may face as a community and how it affects traditinal lifestyles, but also choices among younger generations.

Safety

Generel advice and information from the Danish Foreign Ministry is that travels in the USA is considered low risk. Though potential higher risk in larger cities, where travellers should be on guard for pick-pockets and suspecious behaviour. The current political environment in the US may have implications on entry and visa processes. Read more here: https://um.dk/rejse-og-ophold/rejse-til-udlandet/rejsevejledninger/usa

Before departure, parents/guardians must sign a parental consent form allowing the travelling educators to travel with their child and provide their child’s medical care should this become necessary. The 3 locations for the trip all have medical clinics/emergency rooms.

Passport – must be valid for at least 6 months after travelling.

Duration:

approx. 12 days

Vaccinations

Not mandatory, but tetanus/diptheria is recommended

Terms & Economy

Self-payment: 15.000 DKK

Pocket money: 1.000 DKK

UNDERVISERE