Have you ever wondered what lies above the Arctic Circle? Many of us conjure up an image of a place that is dark, cold, and lifeless. Indeed, during the winter months, this may be accurate. However, in summer this region is alive with a diversity of fungi, lichens, liverworts, ferns, flowering plants, insects, fish, and other vertebrates.

Fennoscandia is a generic term and can be used in a geographic, geologic, or cultural context. It generally refers to the region, peoples, and culture of the Scandanavian Peninsula (Norway and Sweden), Kola Peninsula (Russia), Karelia, as well as Finland and Denmark. Unlike the "Nordic Countries", it does not include Iceland and Greenland.

In this spring/summer 2008 Global Studies course, we will utilize one of the northenmost (Kevo Field Station) and southernmost (Seili Field Station) biological field stations in Finland to study the terrestrial environment near the Barents Sea and the Baltic Sea. This provides a strong dichotomy of environments from the very extreme to the moderate.

While at the Kevo Sub-Arctic Research Station we will explore the various regional habitats (conifer forests, mountain birch forests, bogs, permafrost, lakes, rivers, etc.) emphasizing natural history of the region. We will hike through the adjacent beautiful Kevo National Park. We will take a day trip to Norway to visit the Barents Sea where we can whale watch, bird watch, and feast on King Crabs (an invasive pest species here). We may also have the opportunity to visit Russia and see the town of Nickel (one of the largest environmental disasters in northern Europe).

Lapland, which spans across the three countries has a rich culture associated with the Sami peoples who have inhabited this region for thousands of years and subsisted largely on fishing, hunting, herding reindeer, and foraging. The reindeer is an integral part of the natural history and culture of the region. We will seek to explore how human culture is interwoven with the environment here.

We will begin our trip by traveling to the Finnish capital city, Helsinki, which lies along the Baltic Sea Coast. This is a thriving metropolitan area with the attractions of any modern city and a rich history. Here we will visit the Helsinki Botanical Gardens. We will take the night train to Rovaniemi, the capital city of Lapland, and then depart by bus northwards to Kevo Subarctic Research Station. At which point, we will be ca. 500 km above the Arctic Circle. We arrive at 01:00 and take a canoe across a river to the field station. The sun never sets here in summer (pic at lower right taken from station bunkhouse at 02:00).

Following our visit to the sub-Arctic region of Finland, we will proceed to the city of Turku in southwestern Finland. This is a very old city (once the capital of Finland) and lies at the edge of a large Archipelago of islands into the Baltic Sea. We will proceed by bus and ferry to the island of Seili where we will stay at the Archipelago Research Institute, which is part of the University of Turku. Throughout medieval times, this island was dedicated to a hospital for Lepers (the last dying there in 1785) before becoming a place of confinement for the mentally afflicted. The entire island shares a history somewhat analogous to our own Ridges and has a rich collection of ghost stories to boot. The station is now a field station dedicated to terrestrial and aquatic studies of the Baltic Sea region. We will again explore the flora and fauna of the island, as well as study the history of the region and its culture.

Our primary goal in this course is to examine the rich biological diversity of terrestrial and marine environments of northern latitudes. To this end, we will do a considerable amount of naturalizing, which will include hiking and boating. Beyond the biological aspects, we hope that participants gain an appreciation for the rich culture of this region.

We will provide as many opportunities for "free time" as possible which could include walking, fishing, sightseeing, restaurants, shopping, or just sitting in the park reading. About 2/3 of the course will be structured. Did anyone mention sauna?! Finland is of course the epicenter of sauna. You will have almost a daily opportunity to partake.

Because of the exchange rate and differences in cost of living, we will not be able to spend too much time in major cities (just too expensive), but we will try to add this component to the extent possible, while keeping the budget reasonable. The field stations we will stay at are all modern, with comfortable rooms, modern bathrooms, kitchens, saunas, laundry facilities, and even physical fitness rooms.

The primary preparation for the field course will be a 2 cr lecture course, Ecology of the Sub-Arctic (PBIO 409/693), during Spring 2008. Students are also required to attend Ohio University's "Bobcats Abroad" program orientation. This 2-hr session will take place during spring quarter as well. The field course itself is 6cr and will be offered during Summer Session-II of 2008 (PBIO 485/693).

Be forewarned. This is not a vacation. It is an educational experience. We are here to learn about sub-arctic ecosystems, northern cultures, and the world around us. While Finnish is the primary language spoken, many Finns also speak at least some English. The food is good, but different. The climate is moderate, but variable. If you come with an open mind, willingness to learn, and patience (usually required on public transportation) you will have an awesome time and learn a lot!

Preliminary details as of August 2007 (note, these may change as we get closer to enrollment date):

• Participants will register for and receive 2 cr for the lecture preparation segment (Spring 2008) and 6 cr for the field segment (Summer Session II, 2008).
• Application deadline is November 8. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required within one week of accepting your nomination to the program.
• Enrollment will be limited to 10 students, so sign up early. Participants must have at least one 200-level biology course, a GPA > 3.0, and permission of the instructor.
• Cost*
  Billed by Ohio University
      1) Tuition: 6 cr OU tuition
      2) Admin fee: $150
      3) Program fee: $3000**
  Out-of-pocket
      1) Passport & photos: $110
      2) Textbooks & supplies: $100
      3) Incidentals: $500***

    * Financial aid may be applied to program costs; further information is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
    ** Program fee includes round-trip airfare, all major in-country transport (trains, buses, taxis, auto), and meals at field stations.
    *** Incidentals includes all meals not covered at stations (ca. 20%), local bus & taxi, maps, souvenirs, etc.

Contact Brian McCarthy if you have any questions.

 

Photo credits: Brian McCarthy (11), Dawn McCarthy (2), Kari Saikkonen (4), Wickipedia (3).