What inspired you to travel abroad?
I've always found traveling to be an extremely enriching experience, as well as learning new things, so wanting to pursue both together was an obvious choice for me. I also was interested in the particular experience the study abroad program I participated in—The GREEN Program—offered, as it seemed like it would be a hugely impactful opportunity if I chose to partake in it. The GREEN Program focuses on short-term experiential learning and furthering the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both things I am extremely interested in.
Why did you choose The GREEN Program in Iceland?
I went to Iceland with The GREEN Program and explored a lot of the southwestern peninsula, which is where the capital, Reykjavik, is. I have always wanted to visit Iceland, for educational purposes or otherwise, because of the diversity of beautiful landscapes it hosts and because Iceland has successfully integrated renewable energy into much of their national infrastructure, which I was curious to learn more about. Going to Iceland with The GREEN Program worked out perfectly, because I was able to explore both of those aspects. We attended lectures on energy policy, toured behind-the-scenes at renewable power plants, and went hiking and even snorkeling in the beautiful mountains and glacial streams.
What was your favorite part about Iceland?
Being able to go snorkeling in a glacial stream was probably the coolest experience of my life (both literally and figuratively—the water was only a few degrees above freezing and we had to wear insulated dry-suits to get in the water!). The coolest educational experience I had was sitting in the University of Reykjavik, where different wings of the school are named after different planets (the classroom we were in was called "Mars - 209"), and being able to learn about Icelandic energy policy from a professor whose work I had read about online.
Contemplating a waterfall
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
It was extraordinary being able to experience hugely impactful moments I didn't plan for. One that I will never forget is a few moments of complete peace and quiet at the top of a mountain in the Icelandic highlands, where I just got to reconnect with the experience of being a being living on this planet. It allowed for a lot of very rapid, but very meaningful, contemplation about my place in the world.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was extremely kind and supportive, and they were with us every step of the way. I have to say the thing I appreciate most that they did for me was introducing me to Icelandic rap and making a playlist for our group!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I do wish that I had customized my trip a bit more—many people in my group made exciting travel plans leading up to or immediately after the GREEN Program that I thought maximized their experiences.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day abroad was just as jam-packed as one at home for me, but several orders of magnitude less stressful. Every moment was either hugely stimulating (like when I wandered around a geothermal power plant and thought about how much more useful that experience was in understanding power transmission than my classes thus far back home) or hugely relaxing (I discovered that napping on sunny Icelandic hillsides is one of the best experiences a person can have).
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I liked speaking with other people on my program, spending some quiet time outside (especially to appreciate the novelty of it not really getting dark in the summer up there!), keeping in touch with family and friends, or reading up and doing research for my capstone project while eating local snacks!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We had a variety of accommodations, mostly guesthouses. I really like Icelandic and Scandinavian architecture, and I loved being able to be in the space. The last place we stayed, Midgard Base Camp, was awesome in the way it was constructed and I loved everything about it, from the nifty bunkbeds with curtains we had in our rooms to the horses galloping around outside.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It is extremely fast-paced! I mean this in the best way possible—you will never have a dull moment during your experience. Also, if you're going to Iceland, bring plenty of warm socks!
Would you recommend The GREEN Program to others? Why?
Yes! I had a great experience in Iceland and it was really helpful to me personally, which I was able to translate into being helpful professionally. When I returned from the GREEN Program, I was motivated and energized enough to actually start all the environmental initiatives and projects I kept thinking about starting but never got around to doing.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit is being able to experience a new way of living and thinking and the possibility of discovering something—whether it be an experience, a philosophy, or a friend—that can change your outlook on life.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
In a very measurable way! Looking at the dates stamped onto all my journals, professional and social media profiles, and even my resume, there is a clear turning point in terms of my commitment and involvement in environmental technology efforts, and they all started after I went on the GREEN Program. I've stayed in touch with the GREEN team after my program, and they have been the most wonderful support I could ask for, and are usually the first people cheering me on when I take on a new project. Having the opportunity to continually interact with them is as wonderful as the program itself was.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is what you make of it; you can find meaning in otherwise mundane trips if you look for it, but sometimes you need a helping hand to broaden your perspective and allow new meaning to come into your trip. That was my experience on the GREEN Program.
