The International Field School Experience: A Student's Perspective
- Jennifer Roberts, Southend resident, member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band | March 26, 2014
From March 14-23, students in the fourth Cohort of the University of Saskatchewan's Master of Northern Governance and Development (MNGD) program are travelling to Northern Norway as part of the program's international field school. The students, who take the program from communities across Northern Saskatchewan, are undertaking lectures, field research, meetings with industry officials, and other forms of experiential learning that will help contribute to an internationalized perspective. Here is a first-hand account of a student experience.
Learn more about the MNGD program by visiting its website. The application deadline for fall enrollment is May 1, 2014.
Thursday
Today we had the opportunity to partake in a King crab safari with one of the local tourist companies. They provided all the necessary gear (one-piece snowsuits, helmets, and boots) and drove us in huge toboggans to the frozen ocean. Once there, our guide cut a hole in the ice with an auger and pulled up a huge crab pot full of fresh King crab. We were all given a chance to hold a King crab before he prepared them for eating.
We then travelled to another location where a group of cabins was nestled together. Upon arriving, we were shown a cabin where we could take off our snowsuits and helmets. We then were taken to another cabin where we were able to eat the King crab we had just caught. There were a number of tables that were beautifully set for supper.
A hostess provided us with drinks and warm bread while the King crab was prepared. Once ready, it was given to us one leg at a time. It was the first time I had ever tasted King crab and I found it to be delicious! I ate three legs in total. During supper, the host shared the story of how the red King crab was introduced to the Barents Sea in the 60s by the Russians.
Once we had all had our fill of King crab, we were then taken back to the original cabin where we proceeded to get dressed for the snowmobile ride back. I will never forget the experience and I can now cross off 'King Crab Safari' from my bucket list.
Read previous dispatches from Norway: Frances Goulet on learning about local Sami Indigenous culture and Helen Ben on the local economy.