Testimonials Thea Graversen

From February to July, I spent a semester abroad in Nuuk, Greenland—surrounded first by calving icebergs and deep snow, and later by the dramatic Arctic landscape of exposed rocks and blooming tundra flowers. I participated in the Arctic Student Study Program (ASSP), a collaboration between the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and Aarhus University. With a strong theoretical focus on Arctic ecology, the program challenged me both academically and personally, strengthened my fieldwork skills, and provided very valuable experience and friendships in an international environment where cultural differences were embraced. Collaborating with co-students from many nationalities, combined with the unique Arctic teaching environment, broadened my perspective and has strongly inspired the direction of my Master’s thesis.

Equally important, my stay gave me an insight into Greenlandic culture and, among others, its profound respect for nature. In Greenland, nature is not regarded as the property of individuals but as a shared heritage, a perspective that has reshaped my views on borders, ownership, and community. The friendships, cultural exchanges, and experiences such as celebrating National Day, joining kaffemik gatherings, and sharing local meals made my semester in Nuuk unforgettable.