2011 Norway Fulbrighter
Joseph Knelman
In August 2011 I settled into Tromsø, Norway, working with the Norwegian Institute for Agriculture and Environmental Research. At above 69 degrees north I was well within the Arctic Circle...,
...a place I had read about extensively in academic journals and books; yet, with my Fulbright stay, tales of far off places were truly coming into view.
Here, living on an island in the middle of a fjord, the enduring arctic sun lit the faces of rugged mountains, verdant valley floors, clear glacial lakes, and brilliant blue fjords (at least before the snow and polar nights arrived). Each feature was beautiful and forlorn all at once. It is the kind of place that embodies a challenge but not without incredible reward, the Fulbright experience.
The location was central to my research project which focused on how arctic plants may rely on soil bacteria in order to survive in the stressful arctic environment. Understanding this connection provides parallel insights for growing crops in other marginal lands that may face different, but similarly inhospitable conditions.
While I initially thought my experience in the Norwegian landscapes was simply to be a consequence of my project that centered on soil ecology of arctic ecosystems, I soon realized that experiencing the land not only helped to explain my own research interests, but also the country’s history, the national identity, and the way people conduct themselves today.
Norwegian pastimes, food, and heritage so heavily draw on the land; the connection is clear. The land therefore became more than a scientific study system, it became the medium to interact with the culture. The fall harvest, return of the sun, and traditional Sami celebrations with my co-workers; hiking and Nordic skiing with other students and Fulbrighters; and picking prolific fjord berries among locals all exposed this tight link between physical geography and culture. Beyond my own research, the arctic mountains, fjords, and valleys taught me far more than I ever imagined.
