South African teenager Isabella Aileen Nall has returned from a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the North Pole, where she joined 65 students from 20 other countries aboard the 50 Let Pobedy nuclear icebreaker for the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition, organised by Rosatom. The 10-day journey blended Arctic exploration with cutting-edge science, and now organisers say they hope to see more South African teens on board in the years to come.

Murmansk, Russia – For most people, standing at the North Pole is a dream they will never realise. For 16-year-old South African student Isabella Aileen Nall, that dream became a reality this August when she boarded the 50 Let Pobedy nuclear icebreaker in the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk – the base for the world’s only nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet and the gateway to the Northern Sea Route.

The 10-day journey, which returned to Murmansk on 22 August 2025, brought together 66 exceptional school students from 21 countries. They travelled through the Arctic Ocean, attended lectures by top Russian and international scientists, conducted polar experiments, and witnessed one of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.

For Isabella, it was more than a trip – it was a personal and national milestone.

“Honestly, I’m just speechless – I can’t believe I’m here at the top of the world,” she said. “It’s even more beautiful than I ever imagined: the snow, the ice, the pure Arctic atmosphere – it’s breathtaking. What I loved most was meeting students from so many different countries. The Russian students were so kind and welcoming, and despite my lack of Russian, they spoke to me in English and made me feel at home. This experience has deepened my passion for nuclear science. I’m proud to be here representing South Africa – this journey is not just for me, it’s for my country.”

The Icebreaker of Knowledge is more than a voyage – it’s a scientific and educational programme aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Students learned about nuclear technology, space exploration, and Arctic ecology, and even took part in the first autonomous tests of space rover prototypes in extreme polar conditions.

The trip also fostered cultural exchange. Chinese participant Alisa Li brought a three-metre traditional scroll depicting the 50 Let Pobedy and symbols of friendship between Russia and China, signed by students from both nations and the ship’s captain, Ruslan Sasov.

Sasov, reflecting on the journey, said:

“This is the second year in a row that the Arctic has been discovered not only by Russian children, but also by school students from around the world. You should see the emotions of children to understand the value of the Icebreaker of Knowledge.”

This year’s expedition was part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of Russia’s nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the Arctic shipping corridor linking Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

Rosatom’s Atomflot operates the world’s only nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet – eight vessels that keep the NSR navigable year-round. The USSR pioneered peaceful nuclear energy, launching the world’s first nuclear power plant in 1954 and its first nuclear icebreaker, Lenin, in 1959.

Since its launch, the Icebreaker of Knowledge project has taken more than 400 gifted students on Arctic expeditions. In 2025, participants came from Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Egypt, Brazil, China, India, and many more, travelling the route Murmansk – North Pole – Franz Josef Land – Murmansk. The North Pole was reached on 17 August.

Rosatom has confirmed it hopes to welcome more South African teenagers on its future icebreaker expeditions, opening the door for young people to not only see the Arctic but also engage directly with global science, technology, and environmental research. The corporation views South Africa as a key partner in fostering international collaboration and believes the country’s young scientists have an important role to play in solving future challenges.

For Isabella, the trip was the start of a bigger journey – one that may lead her into a career in nuclear science. Her presence on the expedition is also a moment of pride for South Africa, showing that local talent can shine on the world stage.

As the nuclear icebreaker cut through the Arctic ice, it carried with it the hopes of young explorers like Isabella – young leaders who may one day be at the forefront of solving global challenges. And for one South African teenager, the top of the world now feels just a little bit closer to home.

****Gillian Schutte is an award-winning South African filmmaker, journalist, author, poet, and critical race theorist. She writes from an anti-imperialist perspective on African sovereignty and global geopolitics—particularly Russia’s role in the multipolar world—and has reported extensively on mining injustices, decolonial struggles, regime change politics, and media capture in South Africa.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

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