As part of the UNIgreen European University Alliance’s mobility initiatives, students from across Europe gathered in Iceland this winter to take part in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Polar Winter School, organised by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI).
This unique programme, blending online and on-site learning, explored environmental challenges and climate change in Arctic and Subarctic regions. The course offered a multi-disciplinary perspective on ecosystem services, climate adaptation, sustainable land use, and community resilience critical themes for future environmental professionals.
The winter school kicked off with an online preparation module in January, followed by a week-long physical component in Hvanneyri, Iceland, in March 2025. Students participated in lectures, group work, and field visits to Icelandic landscapes and communities impacted by climate change.
Participants appreciated the school’s interactive and international learning environment, which brought together students and academic staff from various UNIgreen partner institutions. According to one student, “It was a truly eye-opening experience—not only academically but also personally. Being in Iceland in winter, discussing global challenges with people from different countries, made the topic feel real and urgent.”
The BIP Polar Winter School is part of UNIgreen’s commitment to promoting green mobility and interdisciplinary collaboration, helping students develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues through hands-on, cross-cultural experiences.
