Not mentioned so far:
=Hillary Clinton worked on a Valdez slime line for about a week one summer,  then she was either fired or the place closed down.  She survived and probably got some insights. 

=Alaska is probably better off when these summer hires take their money and experiences and leave, rather than sticking around for the winter on unemployment and some forms of public assistance.

=My experience in a Fairbanks staff hotel was that a disproportionate number of the Bulgarians were jerks, or that the jerks were Bulgarians.  Smoking in prohibited areas and making noise.  That did not improve international relations one bit for people who had to be out around 5:30 am.    Also many male Asians in shorts using internet connections in the halls.  Not much international interaction there either.

=Like other experiences, it is pretty much what you want to make of it.  It helps massively to have your own transportation.  I drove up and used the ferry, and then claimed tax deduction.