Are you feeling nervous as you begin this new academic year? It can be tough just thinking about leaving the comfort of home, managing demanding assignments and projects, and facing another round of sleepless nights.

Yet, it is precisely within this icy space of discomfort that the transition into university life begins. Like a night spent at the foot of Mount Giluwe, the cold is immediate and unforgiving. The wind bites sharply through layers of clothing, the chill settles deep into your bones, and the silence is profound, broken only by the rush of wind sweeping down from the summit. Sleeping beneath this towering giant is far from comfortable. It is raw, humbling, and unforgettable.

As IBSUniversity opens its doors for a new academic year, the experience of Mt. Giluwe offers a clear picture of beginnings that could feel cold especially for those that are starting fresh and appear daunting, uncertain, or demanding. But this coldness is a period of adjustment. The body learns to focus, and resilience becomes a necessity rather than a choice.

A brief background on Mt. Giluwe offers encouragement to build confidently in the cold. Standing at approximately 4,300 metres above sea level, Mt. Giluwe is the second-highest mountain in Papua New Guinea and the highest volcano in Pacific Oceania.

During the Pleistocene period, Mt. Giluwe was covered by an ice cap extending down to 3,200–3,500 metres. Despite these extreme conditions, the volcano continued to erupt beneath the ice, a rare phenomenon known as subglacial eruption (Blake & Löffler, 1971).

This geological process offers an important lesson for students.

University life places individuals in new environments that can feel demanding: heavier academic workloads, independent learning, critical thinking, deadlines, assessments, and the responsibility of shaping one’s own future. Like Mt. Giluwe beneath ice, students often learn and grow under pressure.

But remember, pressure, when met with discipline and support, forms strength.

IBSUniversity recognises that academic excellence does not begin with mastery; it begins with adjustment. The early weeks of the academic year are a period of adapting, much like ascending into a high-altitude environment. Students learn to manage their time, engage critically with content, collaborate with peers, and develop intellectual confidence.

As we welcome you to a new academic year at IBSUniversity, you are not expected to stand at the summit on day one. Instead, you are encouraged to take each step with purpose, learn from challenge, and recognise that even cold beginnings can lead to remarkable heights.

Much like the ascent of Mt. Giluwe, in higher education strength is not found in comfort, but in the courage to begin, even when it is cold.

Disclaimer: This article, “Built in the Cold,” was written by Penelope Aimari, Marketing and Public Relations Officer, IBSUniversity. The reflections and analogies presented are intended for motivational and informational purposes to inspire students as they begin the academic year.

Any historical and geological references cited (including Blake & Löffler, 1971) are included to provide contextual background and illustrative comparison. While care has been taken to ensure general accuracy, this article does not serve as a scientific or academic publication.

The views expressed are those of the author in her professional capacity within Marketing and Public Relations and are intended to encourage student engagement and resilience at the commencement of the academic year.