Iḷisaġvik College

A few days ago, my organization, Unum Mundum, traveled to Utqiaġvik, the northernmost town in Alaska, for a unique cultural exchange. We reached out to Iḷisaġvik College, the local university, and arranged to meet with some students to learn about their Inuit culture and share our Chinese American heritage. The students warmly welcomed us, sharing insights into their traditional lifestyle, including how they hunt whales and seals. We also had the chance to sample local foods, such as Muktuk (whale meat), which gave us a deeper appreciation for their customs. Exploring the town afterward was an eye-opening experience, especially compared to our city of Carmel, Indiana. The stark, quiet landscape and the unique phenomenon of the sun never fully rising or setting created a setting unlike anything we had encountered before. This day was a memorable experience for us, and it reinforced our organization’s commitment to learning about diverse communities and exploring different ways of life.