As frigid as -37.7°C: The coldest cities in the world have a big impact on how well we work, study

University is challenging enough. Now imagine doing that while studying in one of the coldest cities in the world.

It’s not just about bundling up in layers, it’s about facing temperatures that can drop to so low it can affect your daily life and even your ability to focus on your studies.

It means braving icy winds, finding your way through snow-covered streets, and enduring long, dark winters.

The extreme cold can impact everything from your commute to campus to your ability to socialise and participate in extracurricular activities.

You will need to develop strategies to stay warm, maintain your health, and stay motivated during such harsh conditions.

What science says about frigid weather on our academic performance

Students studying in cities with such extreme temperates sometimes face more difficulties than others.

For those in colder regions, outside of the obvious cancelled classes and remote learning due to road closures, your academic performance simply isn’t on par when the weather gets too extreme.

Research conducted on Australian children aged between eight and 15 years found that additional cold days significantly reduce test scores. To add to that, research conducted on college students revealed that they tend to reduce class attendance by 9.7% and decrease class time on cold days by 27.43 minutes —something that is sure to add up when you have multiple cold days in a row. 

If you’re an international student who spent your whole life somewhere warm and tropical, these shocking temperatures will just make you want to hole up in your dorm where it’s (hopefully) warm and toasty.

Still, all this doesn’t just affect students — research reveals that more than two-thirds of workers believe they are less productive and have lower concentration levels during winter compared to warmer seasons.

Cornell University also conducted a study that showed employees committed 44% more errors in their work in a cold setting than in a warmer one.

So if you’re hoping for a permanent residency status after finishing your studies in the coldest cities in the world, maybe reconsider again.

The coldest place on Earth

The East Antarctic Plateau is the coldest place on Earth, to the point of being uninhabitable.

On August 10, 2010, temperatures plummeted to as low as -93.2°C (136°F), surpassing the previous record, which was at the Vostok Research Station in 1983 with −89.2°C (−128.6°F).

The conditions on the East Antarctic Plateau are a result of the ridge’s high altitude, which contributes to its extreme cold, as higher elevations generally lead to lower temperatures. The clear, dry air over the plateau allows heat to escape more efficiently into the atmosphere, further dropping temperatures.

8 coldest cities in the world if you’re sick and tired of the heat and humidity

1. Harbin, China

If you love the cold weather, Harbin, China, is the place for you. Known to be one of the coldest cities in the world, the temperature here has even gone as low as  -37.7℃ (-35.86℉). 

Located in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang, Harbin usually experiences a yearly average temperature of 5.9℃ (42.6℉) and -30℃ (-22℉) during winter. The city’s severe winter conditions can make it challenging to live in.

Harbin is famous for its International Ice and Snow Festival, which happens every January. During this festival, the “Ice and Snow World” is illuminated with coloured lights, which highlights the ice buildings that can reach up to 50 meters high. 

You can also visit Sun Island Park, where you’ll find snow sculptures that stretch longer than two football fields. These stunning displays of art and engineering attract visitors from all over the world, showcasing the city’s ability to turn its harsh winter into a celebration of creativity and culture.

Here are some of the top universities in the city if you plan on studying in Harbin:

• Harbin Institute of Technology
• Harbin Engineering University
• Northeast Agricultural University

2. Yakutsk, Russia

Yakutsk, Russia, is one of the coldest cities in the world. Located in East Siberia on the Lena River, Yakutsk experiences harsh winters with temperatures as low as −20°C (−4°F). The coldest temperature ever recorded here was a low of −64.4°C (−83.9°F).

Unfortunately, cold weather occurs throughout the year, with below-freezing temperatures lasting from October through April. This makes life challenging for those who live there, but despite it all, the locals have adapted and thrived in their lives. 

For example, vendors selling frozen fish at the market leave their products outside, where they freeze instantly. Buildings in Yakutsk are often constructed on stilts to prevent the warmth from the buildings from melting the permafrost, which can be as hard as concrete. You will also see gas pipes laid above ground and insulated to cope with the permafrost. Many homes and public spaces have carpeted stairs to prevent slipping on ice.

The city is home to attractions like the Permafrost Kingdom Ice Museum, which has stunning ice sculptures, and the National Art Museum of the Republic of Sakha. 

While winter in Yakutsk is bad, the city does experience a brief moment of warmth during the summer months. In July, the average temperature rises to 24°C (76°F). 

If you love the cold, consider studying at North-Eastern Federal University, but don’t forget to bundle up and keep yourself warm. 

3. Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is one of the coldest cities in the world. 

Located just 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle, it experiences some of the harshest winters in the world. As the only city in the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is the hub for residents and tourists looking to explore the northern wilderness. 

Despite its average temperatures around -24.6°C (-12°F), the city has many outdoor activities. You can hike to Camron Falls in Hidden Lake Territorial Park. 

The city’s record-breaking low temperature was an astonishing -51.2°C (-60.16°F) in 1947. Winter in Yellowknife lasts from November to March. Among 100 Canadian cities, Yellowknife is the coldest capital, with the coldest winters, extreme windchills, and the longest snow cover season. 

Aurora College is the only higher education institution in the city. The college has been providing education and training for Northerners for nearly 50 years.

4. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar is not only the coldest capital of Mongolia, but it is also one of the coldest cities in the world. 

Situated 4,430 feet above sea level in a valley on the Tuul River, Ulaanbaatar experiences harsh winters that last from November to February. The average temperature is about 0.2° C (32°F), and the lowest recorded temperature was -58°C (-72.4°F). 

During the summer months, Ulaanbaatar offers tours of the Gobi desert on camels or horses. July is the hottest month of the year in Ulaanbaatar, with an average high of 75°F and a low of 54°F.

Whether exploring its museums, historical landmarks, or the natural beauty of the surrounding steppes, Ulaanbaatar is a great place to study and live.

Consider these universities if you plan on studying in Ulaanbaatar:

• National University of Mongolia
• Health Sciences University of Mongolia
• Mongolian University of Science and Technology

5. Astana, Kazakhstan

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is one of the coldest cities in the world. The second-largest city in the country has experienced the lowest recorded temperature of −51.6°C (−60.9°F).

While summers can be warm, the contrast is huge in winter when temperatures drop drastically. From June to August, the average temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 75.2°F). However, from November to March, temperatures can drop as low as -30°C (-22°F).

If you think you are brave enough to face the cold, here are some top universities to check out in Astana:

• L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
• S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University
• Astana Medical University

6. Lapland, Finland

Lapland, located in Finland’s northernmost region, ranks among the coldest cities in the world. The city experiences a long winter season that lasts around 175 to 225 days per year.

Winter in Lapland is characterised by sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. The average winter temperature is about -16°C (3°F) to 3°C (37°F). The lowest temperature, −51.5°C (−60.7°F), was recorded in Kittilä, which is part of northwestern Finland. 

Lapland has many winter activities, from husky sledging and snowmobiling to experiencing the culture of the Sami people. 

Consider the University of Lapland if you plan on studying in this cold city.

7. Vostok Station Antarctica

Located in the Southern Pole of Cold, Vostok Station, Antarctica, has recorded some of the lowest surface temperatures ever experienced on Earth.

In July 1983, thermometers at Vostok Station registered -89.2°C (-128.6°F), which remains one of the lowest air temperatures ever recorded. 

At Vostok Station, you will experience intense cold and also extreme dryness. It is one of the driest places on Earth, receiving 20 millimetres (0.8 inches) of precipitation per year, all of which fall as snow. 

The station is situated on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at an elevation of about 3,488 metres (11,444 feet) above sea level.

8. Klinck Station, Greenland

Klinck Station in Greenland is one of the coldest cities in the world. Situated in central Greenland, it holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded within the Arctic Circle. 

In December 1991, the temperature at Klinck Station plummeted to -69.6°C surpassing the previous record held by Oymyakon in Siberia by two degrees. 

Researchers at the station study the ice and snow to learn more about climate patterns and current trends. However, even though Klinck Station holds the record for extreme cold, much of Greenland’s ice is melting rapidly due to global warming.