SIT Study Abroad: Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic

I had an amazing experience during my study abroad in Iceland. I felt very supported by program staff, learned so so much, and felt so lucky to be able to learn and live in Iceland. The program enables its students to take charge of their own learning and build crucial life skills along with increasing our knowledge of and passion for the study of climate change. You see the whole breathtaking country of Iceland in your four months there. It was an incredible semester.

Over the course of this program I saw just about every part of Iceland that I was able to. The program began in Reykjavik (~2 weeks), then we went northwest to Ísafjörður where we stayed with a homestay family (~4 weeks), then went on a tour of the ring road (~2 weeks), and finished off the program by conducting independent research wherever I wanted to live in the country; I chose Akureyri and Siglufjörður (~6 weeks). Yes the environment is cold, but the culture is warm and welcoming. I highly recommend this program for anyone that loves the outdoors and environment.

This program was easily the most fun I have had during my college career. While nothing is perfect, every single experience throughout the program made me a happier, more confident, and very independent student. The academics on this program were definitely less rigorous than my typical semester, but by no means did that mean I didn't learn. Whilst traveling throughout the country, I learned so much about Icelandic culture from both the program's admins and the locals in each town we visited. Additionally, I learned an incredible amount from the other students on the program. I feel that the value of a program like this is less textbook learning and more experiential learning you would be unable to experience elsewhere, which is why I am very content with the less rigorous structure of the program. My cohort was integral to my experience. I was surrounded by the most incredible group of people who were all so committed to learning and exploring Iceland as a community. We grew extremely close and I never felt there was a clique-y environment. I know the group of people is variable from program to program, but I think the nature of the program generally attracts grounded people with similar goals for their study abroad experience. Every aspect of Iceland itself was incredible. Throughout the program you really get to see the entire country (with the exception of the highlands which leaves room for a fun reason to go back and adventure more!). The local people were incredibly welcoming in every town, especially in Isafjordur. The views are unlike anything you have ever seen and the hikes are unique and challenging. It is particularly special to see the country during the winter months as outside of tourist season the country is both less crowded and more beautiful. Overall I would 100% recommend this program and if I could go back I would choose it all again.