The Daily Life Challenges Faced by the Researcher in Arctic

Abstract

Abstract Existing research and the body of knowledge pertaining to the daily life challenges at an extreme cold weather conditions in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions were less explored by scholars and researchers. The Arctic external environment is extremely cold, dark and isolated during winter. During the expedition in Arctic, the researcher are physically isolated from the outside world, with darkness and weather conditions exerting severe restrictions on travel, and are separated from their families and friends. This study attempted to describe the major challenges of researcher encountered in Arctic. As an instrument herself, the researcher recorded and updated her daily life and the challenges in her reflective journal throughout the expeditions. Analyses of the results showed that there are many challenges that she confronted before she completed the mission of expeditions. The main challenges that the researcher faced were the unpredictable and dangerous Pole conditions and, the harsh terrains, extreme cold weather, researcher's injuries difficulties in communication, equipment problems, food and daily life in Arctic as an expeditor. However despite all the daily challenges faced by researcher for 10 days of her journey, she manages to overcome those problems mention above and accomplished the mission. The findings and researcher's experiences dwelling with the challenges in this research is benefitted to all especially Malaysian in every angle of existence such as finding strength in daily life, travelling skills, facing unpredictable weather condition, motivation skills and education purposes.