Experiential Learning

Take your studies beyond the classroom and into the world. Focusing on actionable science and community engagement, experiential learning at UAF’s Honors College offers unique opportunities to take part in field-based activities you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
 
 
 
 

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning, defined as “learning through reflection on doing,” is when you apply theory and academic coursework to real-world experiences. Rather than simply learning about something in an academic sense, the benefits of experiential learning are that you can actively engage on a topic, and then reflect on that experience to develop a deeper understanding of what you’re learning about.

Experiential learning can take place in the classroom, in the workplace or in the community. Research, internships, study abroad, community engagement and service learning are types of experiential learning — and are all opportunities you’ll have through the Honors program at UAF. 

 
 

Experiential Learning in the Climate Scholar Program

Based in the heart of AVŔÇÂŰĚł, the Climate Scholar Program at UAF’s Honors College offers unique site-based opportunities to study climate change in the Arctic, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as anywhere else on the planet. In addition to contributing to cutting-edge research to impact climate science, the program also gives you a variety of ways to get involved, serve your community and impact climate change policy — here in AVŔÇÂŰĚł and around the globe.

Climate change research

Our Honors program provides highly interdisciplinary research opportunities that connect the arts, humanities and sciences. Whether you’re interested in Arctic engineering, healthcare, wildlife and conservation, geophysics, AVŔÇÂŰĚł Native culture, or other areas, you’ll find many ways to get involved. We also offer Honors scholarships, as well as research and travel grants.

Learn more about Honors scholarships and grants
Community engagement internships

Serving our local communities is built in to the Honors experience. The Climate Scholar program includes a required semester-long community engagement internship focused on the theme of climate change, which can focus on science, the arts or a combination of both.

Learn more about climate internships and community engagement in the Honors program
Climate Exchange program

Take your passion for climate study overseas. The Climate Exchange program is an opportunity to study abroad in either Denmark or New Zealand, at universities that offer cutting-edge academic programs in the field of climate change.




Learn more about the Climate Exchange program
 
 

Undergraduate research and service learning

Almost all of our Honors students conduct research, which is funded through Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA). You can collaborate on faculty projects, conduct original research, present at national conferences and more.

Research opportunities are also integrated into parts of the Honors curriculum, like our Methods of Inquiry class. Service learning projects that help the campus and community, such as food donation initiatives, are chosen by the Honors College Advisory Councils.

 
 
Become a Climate Scholar at UAF

The Climate Scholars Program at UAF’s Honors College is the first opportunity of its kind in the nation. Working with leading climate and Arctic research scientists, this is your chance to help create meaningful solutions that have local and global impact.

Explore Honors College scholarship opportunities

UAF’s Honor’s College offers $50,000 in scholarships each year for Climate Scholars — along with a wide range of research and travel grants. You can also apply for a variety of other scholarship opportunities through UAF.

Join our Honors Living Learning Community

Designed to a fun and supportive learning environment for first-year students, our Living Learning Community is a great way to make friends who share similar majors and interests.