50 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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
