SUMMER CLASS: (May – September)

**Summer class includes bus ride to and one night at Denali National State Park

Key activities will include visiting and learning about:

–  The City of Anchorage – Kincaid Park, Earthquake Park and Anchorage Museum, where we will learn the real story of the North – a story that weaves together social, political, cultural, scientific, historical and artistic threads. We will get to appreciate the rich diversity of Alaska Native cultures, including masterworks of Alaska Native art and design.

–  Alaska Native Heritage Center – we will take a tour of life-sized village sites, watch Alaska Native dance performances and games, listen to Alaska Native stories, watch films, and view exhibits.

–  Denali National Park – learning about dog mushing, meeting Alaska Huskies, hiking and taking lots of nature shots

–  Seward – going on a wildlife cruise on the Kenai Fjords

–  Fairbanks – Visit to Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, Antler Arch. We will also go to a local reindeer farm where you will meet reindeer up close and learn about carabou.

Attendance is mandatory for all days of the Alaska class. You may not arrive late on the first day or depart early on the final day. Please book flights that allow you to attend all scheduled class hours.

This is a long-weekend, intensive course, and days will be full. Please bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water, and snacks. We expect you to arrive well-rested and prepared to participate fully, learn, and enjoy the experience.

WINTER SCHEDULE

DAY 1: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

DAY 2: 7:00AM – 6:00PM

DAY 3: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM and then 10:00PM – MIDNIGHT for Aurora viewing

DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

SUMMER SCHEDULE

DAY 1: 10:00AM – 8:00PM

DAY 2: 7:00AM – 8:00PM

DAY 3: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

– Tuition fees

– 3 x nights of shared accommodations with 1-2 other au pairs at a Clarion Suites, Extended Stay OR similar Hotel

(SUMMER: 2 nights in Anchorage, 1 night in Denali. WINTER: 2 nights in Anchorage, 1 night in Fairbanks)

– 3 x continental breakfast

– Local transportation costs to and from all activities

–  Shuttle flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks or Fairbanks to Anchorage as part of the class (Winter class only)

– All activities including entrance fees to museums, cultural centers and national parks

– Airfare to/from Alaska

– Transportation from airport during arrival, and to airport during departure

– Lunches or Dinners

– Registration fees (platform and processing fees)

This 72-hour course consists of in-person instruction as well as required pre- and post-assignments completed through Google Classroom. You will receive a Google Classroom invitation approximately two months prior to the course start date. Please register using a Google-compatible email address (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, or Yahoo), as all course communications and your course completion certificate will be sent to this email. Invitations may be filtered to spam/junk folders. If you do not receive the invitation, you are responsible for contacting us to request access.

Pre-assignments will be posted three weeks before the course begins and require approximately 18 hours to complete. These assignments must be completed before attending the in-person sessions.

Post-assignments will be posted during the course weekend and also require approximately 18 hours to complete. Successful completion of these assignments is required to receive the course completion certificate.

Course completion certificates are emailed within a few days of the official course end date, provided all required assignments have been successfully completed. Students have four weeks to complete post-assignments. If you require your certificate earlier, please indicate this during registration; and provide necessary documents.

Once you have been invited to Google Classroom, you will be able to join a class WhatsApp group, providing an opportunity to connect before the trip and coordinate shared transportation from the airport or to make additional plans.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1.) Apply core photography principles (composition, lighting, focus, exposure) to create clear, well-composed images in a variety of outdoor environments.

2.) Use camera or smartphone settings intentionally, including focus modes, exposure compensation, and basic controls, to improve image quality in changing weather and light conditions.

3.) Demonstrate visual storytelling skills by planning and capturing a cohesive set of images that communicates a place, experience, or theme.

4.) Photograph natural landscapes effectively, using techniques such as horizon control, depth, leading lines, and foreground/background layering.

5.) Capture action and wildlife responsibly by using appropriate focus techniques, timing, and distance practices that prioritize safety and respect for animals and protected areas.

6.) Evaluate and improve images through critique, identifying strengths and specific areas for refinement using a shared photography vocabulary.

7.) Perform basic post-processing (on mobile or desktop) to enhance photos through cropping, straightening, exposure adjustments, and color correction while maintaining a natural look.

8.) Describe key elements of Alaskan culture and history, including the influence of Alaska Native communities on place names, traditions, art, and contemporary life, and reflect this understanding in photo-based observations.

9.) Practice field-based professionalism by following itinerary expectations, participating fully in on-location assignments, and demonstrating preparedness for active learning (gear, safety, and collaboration).