Filling in the blanks: First impressions

The first few days here I remember were particularly grey and cold, meeting my typical expectations of the Arctic.  The weather however improved, temperatures reading around 12 degrees celsius with bright sunshine and blue skies for a couple of weeks!  

As someone who gets very excited over snow back home in Wales or in Scotland (uni home)  I was very encouraged to see vehicles such as the one below.  Not incuded in these images however are the many many snowmobiles that are scattered all around the town and in Nybyen (location of the student accommodation, old mine workers barracks).  Apparently there are many more snowmobiles here than there are residents!

My time on Svalbard so far...

I arrived on Svalbard on the 11th August and was greeted by the Arctic's midnight sun (24hr daylight), which was a bit peculiar when stepping off the plane at around 23:00!  Since then I have had a great time here that has involved a number of activities and given me many experiences, most of which I'll try and fill you in with given that there has been an absence (explainable) of blog posts over the past month or so!

The image here is of an amazing cake that my sister made for myself and Kirsteen before we left for Svalbard.    It was a shame that we didn't have time to finish it ourselves before we left, although I think that might have been part of the plan!!!

Welcome to my ‘Arctic Blog’!  My name is Paul and at 20 years old I am about to commence the third year of my undergraduate Marine Science BSc (Hons) degree with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), taught by the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS).  I am however, through an opportunity created by SAMS/UHI about to begin my third year of study 78^o 13’N at the University Centre of Svalbard (UNIS).  Whilst this blog is open for anyone to read it will serve two distinct purposes; offering an insight into my day-to-day life away from home but also just as importantly in performing as a tool for which future students wishing to study at UNIS can use offering where I can information and tips learnt through experience that could be of use.