Why

• Join a community of young scholars who are passionate about the environment while experiencing a part of the country or world that will be new to many students.
• Develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to impact environmental issues facing your local community and the planet as a whole.
• Explore spectacular landscapes by studying, listening and observing.
• Concentrate on learning without the pressure of formal grades.
• Receive a Course Performance Report and Certificate of Completion when you successfully finish.

BELL students are expected to reduce their cell phone use, allowing them to fully engage with the community and beautiful surroundings. By breaking ties to these technologies, you will be able to be more mindful of the natural environment and build more intentional friendships. On-site staff will collect students’ phones and return them during specific parts of the program, including off-site field trips. While this may be an unfamiliar experience for many students, it is often an aspect of the trip students appreciate most. We expect students to plan ahead to be without their cell phones during most of the program, however the group will always be reachable via the program cell phone, which will be held by the on-site staff. The phone number to the program cell phone will be provided to families of accepted students prior to the program.

Some site visits listed are weather-dependent and subject to change. You can expect a moderate level of physical activity every day; be ready to get dirty as you’ll be out and about — rain or shine. A specific packing list will be provided for accepted students.

Residential and Student Life

• Most nights, you will be sleeping on bunk beds in residence hall rooms separated by gender identity. 
• For the three evenings at the Peterson Bay Field Station, you will sleep in a yurt without running water or electricity. There is, however,  a permanent lodge visible from the yurts with composting toilets, meeting spaces and a fully functioning kitchen. During this portion of the trip, you will not have access to showers.
• At the end of the program, you’ll spend one night at a hotel near the Anchorage airport before departing.
• Most meals will be prepared and eaten in a college dining hall or residence hall. Some meals will be prepared collaboratively by students and staff. Note: All food is ordered in advance, so program staff must be notified of any dietary restrictions or allergies by April 12, 2023. Students can notify program staff by filling out the medical health history form, which accepted students receive in their student portals.
• Program staff live on site and are available 24 hours a day to provide support and supervision.

Being a part of BELL Alaska will provide you with an experience similar to that of a research laboratory and all that entails. Though the term “lab” typically brings up imagery of standing over a microscope or collecting samples in small glass vials, there is much more that goes into being a member of a lab. Some days are more active than others and some days are more focused on  concept development and exploration. Each day is different but typically includes field observations, classroom discussions, leadership workshops and time for team-building and reflection.