New Year, New You: Wellness, Resilience & Personal Growth in Alaska
FAIRBANKS & ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
$1,395 | IN-PERSON | 72 hours (equivalent to 6 credits)
+ registration fees
Start the New Year somewhere extraordinary! Join fellow au pairs in Alaska for an unforgettable winter adventure featuring a midnight New Year’s toast beneath the Arctic sky—champagne for participants ages 21+ and sparkling non-alcoholic beverages for those under 21—the chance to search for the magical Northern Lights, relax in natural hot springs, and experience the breathtaking beauty of Alaska in winter. NYE dinner, dancing and fireworks also included.
This four-day immersive course explores the principles of wellness, mindfulness, resilience, and intentional living through the unique lens of an Alaskan adventure. Using Fairbanks and Anchorage as living classrooms, students will examine how mindset, healthy habits, stress management, self-care, reflection, and goal setting contribute to overall well-being while experiencing some of Alaska’s most iconic winter activities and destinations.
Students will spend two days in Fairbanks and two days in Anchorage participating in wellness-focused discussions, reflective exercises, and experiential learning opportunities designed to promote self-awareness, personal growth, and balance in everyday life. Along the way, students will enjoy a variety of unforgettable Alaskan experiences, including dog sledding through snowy landscapes, meeting reindeer, glacier hiking, exploring Anchorage on a guided city tour, relaxing at Alyeska Nordic Spa, and visiting natural hot springs. Participants will also have the opportunity to search for the spectacular Northern Lights, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring displays.
Through these experiences, students will explore how adventure, connection with nature, movement, mindfulness, and stepping outside of their comfort zones can support physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Guided reflection activities will encourage students to identify personal strengths, set meaningful goals, and develop practical strategies for creating a healthier and more purposeful year ahead.
Whether you are looking to recharge, build resilience, embrace new challenges, create lasting memories, or simply begin the year with a fresh perspective, this Bucket List Learning experience offers a unique opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow while exploring one of the most remarkable destinations in the world.
Key Activities:
– Glacier Hiking at Matanuska Glacier
– Reindeer Farm visit & feeding
– Aleyeska Nordic Spa
– 15-minute dog-sledding
– Soaking at Chena Hot Springs
– Chasing Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
December 30, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in Alaska. You are expected to be in class on time every day, including the first day and last day, so choose flights accordingly.
First Day: Class starts at 10:00 AM in Fairbanks. The latest that you should arrive at FAI is 9:00am
Last Day: Class ends at 6:00pm in Anchorage. The earliest you should book a flight out is 8:00pm
If you miss any class hours you will risk not receiving your certificate! Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
DAY 1: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 3: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
– Tuition fees
– Shuttle flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage
– 3 x nights of shared accommodations: 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, and 1 night at Clarion Suites Downtown in Anchorage
– 3 x continental breakfast
– 1 New Year’s Eve Dinner and champagne toast at midnight (for 21+)
– Local transportation to and from all included activities and excursions
– Airfare to Fairbanks and from Anchorage
– Airport transfers (airport to class location, class location to airport)
– Meals (except for included continental breakfasts and NYE Dinner)
– Registration fees (platform and processing fees)
In addition to the in-person meetings, this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.
You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.
Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 4 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete
Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 4 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and we will email it to you as soon as you successfully complete all assignments.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1.) Explain key concepts related to wellness, resilience, and personal well-being.
2.) Identify healthy strategies for managing stress and maintaining balance.
3.) Explore the relationship between mindset, habits, and long-term success.
4.) Develop practical goal-setting techniques for personal and professional growth.
5.) Examine how nature, movement, and reflection contribute to overall wellness.
6.) Create a personalized wellness and self-care plan for the coming year.
7.) Apply resilience strategies to challenges and life transitions.