After travelling halfway across the world and a full nights sleep, we woke up in our hotel-like structure and were able to finally assess where we were and what to expect from the rest of our journey. The morning consisted of a quick breakfast followed by what can only be described as science speed dating.

With the PIs lined up against one wall, the students rotated through the scientific gauntlet and tried to explain what our interests were and listen to the variety of projects being undertook once we arrived in Cherskiy. It’s exciting to be surrounded by so many genuinely curious people, and the range of expertise and questions being asked only guarantee that this summer will be full of growth both personal and intellectual.

Our (the students) interests cover everything from aquatic to terrestrial, and it seems like everyone should be able to carve out their own niche once in Siberia. There will be teams looking at a host of aquatic variables, from the nutrients available for microbial communities to the composition of DOC in the rivers and streams. For the more terrestrial-minded students, their days will be spent executing controlled burns to better understand forest fires’ effects on the active soil layer and fleshing out vegetation dynamics or ecosystem processes. Through careful testing, experiments, and remote sensing, hopefully we can combine all of this to better understand the carbon cycle in this extreme and remote environment. Or something like that.

9 hours of flights to go (plus layovers), but we’re almost there. What a long, strange trip it’s been.