Alumni Testimonials from the Model Arctic Council
The first fully developed Model Arctic Council (MAC) was organized in 2016, and the program has since seen dozens of students participate in the week-long learning exercise in several countries.
In the Model Arctic Council, graduate and advanced undergraduate students from universities across the Arctic countries and beyond convene to represent and simulate the work of the member states, permanent participants, and observers of the Arctic Council. The goal is to host a Model Arctic Council in the country that is currently chairing the Arctic Council.
Brandon Boylan, the lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Model Arctic Council, reached out to alumni of the program, asking how they benefited from their participation. Here are some of their experiences.
Erinn Drage
Graduate student at Penn State University, pursuing a dual degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment & Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Participated in MAC 2016 at University of Alaska Fairbanks
“Attending the 2016 Model Arctic Council in Fairbanks absolutely changed the course of my career, helping lead me to my job as an outdoor guide on ships throughout the circumpolar Arctic. The experience also fueled my passion for Alaska, directly contributing to current research on the social dimensions of glacier tourism in Denali National Park and Preserve.”
Sappho Gilbert
PhD student at the Yale School of Public Health
Participated in MAC 2016 at University of Alaska Fairbanks, and MAC 2018 at University of Lapland. Also helped run a MAC in Nuuk in 2017
“The Model Arctic Council is a fun experiential learning exercise that has significantly aided my understanding of the multinational Arctic policy landscape. In tandem with my graduate studies in public health, MAC has helped me hone my public policy, communication, and diplomacy skills (both as a two-time participant and as one of the organizers). My experiences proved especially fruitful in February 2019, when I attended a conference co-sponsored by one of the Arctic Council's working groups; thanks to MAC, I was already fluent in key themes and issues!”
Sharon Hildebrand
Completed an MPA at University of Alaska Southeast. Serving as a village outreach liaison for Doyon, Limited, which involves working with federal, state, and tribal entities and staying apprised on relevant issues
Participated in MAC 2016 at University of Alaska Fairbanks
“The MAC helped me see that various entities could work together towards a common goal.”
Kevin Huo
Undergraduate student at University of Alaska Fairbanks, studying political science and anthropology
Participated in MAC 2018 at University of Lapland
“The Model Arctic Council is the vitality of the next generation of leaders in the Arctic. I was inspired by fellow participants from across the Arctic and around the world. In the week of deliberation, we simulated the Arctic Council taking our roles with passion and deliberating true solutions to current issues.”
Sydney Kamen
Senior at Dartmouth College. Will be pursuing an MPP at the Harvard Kennedy School as a Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow in the fall
Participated in MAC 2016 at University of Alaska Fairbanks, and MAC 2017 at Dartmouth College
“My experiences gave me valuable perspectives and exposures to public policy, diplomacy, and their intersections with science. I developed vital collaboration and negotiation skills through practice with peers from around the globe and developed relationships that have spanned years. These experiences and training have helped me identify and start developing some of the skills required for public service and have continued to inspire me to pursue a career in public service.”
Arsenii Kirgizov-Barskii
Fourth-year BA student, studying international relations and energy diplomacy at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). Will be pursuing an MA in Russian foreign policy and diplomatic service at MGIMO in the fall
Participated in MAC 2018 at University of Lapland, and virtual MAC 2020. Also participated in MGIMO’s MACs for four years, and co-organized the Moscow Youth International MAC for three years. Currently partners with the Norwegian University of Science and Tecnology to offer a MAC in Trondheim
“I really appreciate that the program is arranged at such a great level and in cooperation with the real Arctic Council’s representatives, scientists, and specialists. My participation, to some extent, helped me obtain a pre-term traineeship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in 2019, and prepared me to take up the organization of the Moscow Youth International Model Arctic Council, MGIMO Arctic Club’s international project initiated in 2015. Since then, I have already arranged two MACs in Moscow and the 3rd and 4th Moscow Youth International Model Arctic Council, and now I am working on the 5th as the head of its Secretariat. As for my academic performance, I have already published several articles about international affairs, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and development in the Arctic, and I’m writing my Bachelor’s thesis on the development of the international sea routes in the Arctic. I assume all this could not have been possible without my MAC participation.”
Tuuli Kuusama
Working as a lead collections specialist at the Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Participated in and helped organize MAC 2018 at University of Lapland
“The MAC was an empowering experience, and it gave me the boost to finalize my Master’s thesis. It inspired me more than words can tell, and I wrote a briefing note for the Arctic Yearbook 2019 about the MAC held in Rovaniemi. It was a great opportunity to practice organizing skills and take responsibility for local practicalities. The MAC encouraged me to achieve a specialist position in working life.”
Kerstin Schley
PhD student at the University of Hamburg, studying German polar history. Also a commercial airline pilot
Participated in MAC 2018 at University of Lapland
“Having been an online student in my MA program, the MAC gave me the opportunity to get in touch, communicate, and exchange ideas with students from all over the world, including indigenous people, who are interested in one common topic ‒ the Arctic.”
Apostolos Tsiovalas
Research intern at the Center for Circumpolar Security Studies at the Arctic Institute
Participated in MAC 2018 at University of Lapland, and virtual MAC 2020
“During my participation, I had the opportunity to delve into the world of Arctic politics and, through teamwork and collaboration, improve my rhetoric and negotiating skills.”
Mana Tugend
Recently completed an LLM in polar law from the University of Akureyri. Currently an intern at the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO)
Participated in the 2018 MAC at University of Lapland
“The MAC enabled me to strengthen my communication skills, as the language used to communicate about various Arctic issues must be precise and concise. It has been great to create friendships and connections as well. The MAC is a rewarding experience that I would recommend to anyone.”