Arctic Experiential Studies: Greenland

Step into the Arctic and take your learning to the strategic frontline

The Arctic is at the center of major global challenges, including climate change and increasing geopolitical tensions.

With its strategic location between Europe and North America, and as home to the world’s second-largest ice sheet, Greenland offers a unique vantage point for studying these issues up close.

Fully funded through the DIS Green Education Fund

This program supports sustainability-minded students, covering all costs so you can focus on field-based learning, cultural exchange, and making an impact.

Learn how to apply

Dates

May 26 – July 10

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Credits

6 credits

Location

Week 1: Copenhagen
Week 2-5: Greenland
Week 6: Copenhagen

Housing

Students stay at a Kollegium, local dorms, or a research station in Greenland.

Size

A small cohort of 20 students

How you will learn

“Nothing about us,
without us.”

We believe in learning with Greenland, not just about it.

Guided by reciprocity, respect, and collaboration, we ensure that local voices, knowledge, and lived experiences shape your time here.

Students learning with community members

Embodied learning

We place the connection between mind and body at the center of your experience. Learn through movement, sensory engagement, and direct interaction with the environment—embracing Greenlandic ways of knowing through storytelling and participation in daily life and traditions.

Field-based learning in Greenland’s landscapes

In the field

Much of your learning happens outside the classroom: exploring Greenland’s landscapes, connecting with communities, and seeing firsthand how climate change affects the region. You’ll work alongside local scholars and community leaders, building relationships that strengthen—rather than extract from—Greenland’s culture and environment.

Learning with local partners

Collaborate with Inuit organizations, cultural practitioners, and researchers. We center reciprocity and ethics so your work contributes value back to the community through respectful exchange, reflection, and partner-led projects.

What you will study

Bridging perspectives:
A transdisciplinary approach to education

You will study Greenland from multiple perspectives starting with a shared foundation in its history, culture, and contemporary life.

Then, through your chosen focus area, you deepen your expertise before coming back together to connect insights and build a richer, transdisciplinary understanding of the Arctic.

Foundational course

3 credits
Your entire cohort enrolls in this course.

: Gain a nuanced understanding of Greenland’s past and how the local population continues to navigate the complexities of globalization, cultural preservation, and environmental change.

Learn more

Subject focus course

3 credits
Your cohort is divided into three distinct academic disciplines.

: Combine Arctic fieldwork and lab research to study climate change firsthand by exploring the Greenland Ice Sheet, conducting ecosystem research, and analyzing samples to understand its long-term impacts.

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: Use experiential and multidisciplinary academic approaches to understand how human beings (dis)connect from our natural environments and identify opportunities for individual and community change.

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: Examine the shifting geopolitics of the Arctic by exploring sovereignty disputes, indigenous perspectives, and the strategic interests of global powers amid climate change and resource competition.

Learn more

How it works

Discover Greenland –
your journey starts here

Tuition and fees

Fully funded

This program covers tuition, meals, housing, travel between Denmark and Greenland, equipment, and academic materials.

Transatlantic airfare to/from Denmark is not included.

Funded by the DIS Green Education Fund, this opportunity is designed to make sustainability-focused education more accessible and to empower the next generation of climate advocates.

Learn about the Green Education Fund

Student profile

This program may be a good fit for you if you:

✓ Are curious, adaptable, and eager to explore new perspectives
✓ Thrive in collaborative, close-knit learning environments
✓ Are prepared for shifting schedules and unpredictable Arctic weather
✓ Want to engage meaningfully with local communities and cultures
✓ Are passionate about sustainability, climate issues, or global change
✓ Are excited to spend four immersive weeks together in Greenland with your cohort

Application process

The Arctic Experiential Studies summer session has a separate application process. Admission is highly selective with a cohort of 20 students.

Start your application

Deadline

March 15, 2026
DIS will review applications after the deadline – no rolling admissions.

Eligibility requirements

+ Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
+ At least two semesters completed by time of participation
+ Good academic and disciplinary standing at a DIS Partner Institution.
+ Satisfy course prerequisites

Materials for submission

+ A 3-5 minute video expressing your interest in the program
+ Transcript
+ Resumé
+ Home institution approval

Can I apply to a standard DIS Summer Session as a backup?

Yes. We encourage you to also apply for a standard DIS summer session as a backup option. Submit a separate application through our Get Started form after exploring courses in the Summer Course Finder. If accepted to both, you can withdraw from overlapping standard sessions without penalty. Standard summer sessions are not fully funded like the Arctic Experiential Studies Session, but there are other scholarships opportunities available.