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Study Abroad Programs in Iceland

If you’re considering study abroad in Iceland, there’s one downside you should consider: as your Instagram feed fills up with shots of green-streaked night skies, explosive geysers, and fluorescent-blue hot springs, you may be accused of posting fake photos. Iceland is so otherworldly it’s hard to believe it is real until you see it for yourself. Studying abroad on this tiny island in the Atlantic is sure to be an unforgettable experience, whether you’re touring renewable energy plants, puzzling out declensions in Icelandic, or tasting Kæstur hákarl (dried fermented shark). Grab your camera and come study in Iceland!
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6 Study Abroad Programs in Iceland

SIT Study Abroad

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SIT Study Abroad: Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic

Study the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and societies while exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes. Visit renewable energy centers, glaciers, volcanoes, fjords, geothermal fields, and rugged coastlines to understand climate change causes and effects. Travel to the remote Westfjords to observe the impact of global warming on glaciers and ice sheets. Learn about climate models, carbon management, and renewable technologies, and live with an Icelandic family in Ísafjörður while conducting fieldwork and outdoor study. SIT’s program in Iceland offers you the choice to do a minor in Arctic studies or environmental science. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, meals, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

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Academic Programs International

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API: Experience Reykjavik, Iceland (Scholarships Available)

API offers students a unique and exciting opportunity to study abroad in Iceland and experience the Icelandic culture and way of life in Reykjavík! API students will take classes at Reykjavík University, along with Icelandic and other international students, and choose from several English-taught courses in subjects, including business, computer science (including game design), engineering, and sustainability. Forged by the fires of still active volcanoes, Iceland utilizes its abundant, renewable resources and derives nearly all of its power from geothermal energy. As such, it is a world leader in sustainable energy planning. The country is much more than its natural beauty. Despite its small population and size, Iceland is one of the most technologically developed and socially progressive countries in the world. Come and explore this great northern wonder with API!

The GREEN Program

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Iceland: Renewable Energy Innovation & Sustainability

The GREEN Program (TGP) educates and empowers future sustainability leaders through innovative models of experiential education, travel, and adventure. By using the world as our classroom, our model expertly balances sustainability-focused course work, exclusive industry exposure, and bucket-list adventures in just 7 days. As one of the greenest countries on our planet, Iceland produces effectively 100% of its electricity and more than 70% of its total energy consumption from renewable energy sources. By combining exclusive access into the cutting-edge renewable energy facilities and substantial contact time with leading academic and industrial experts in the field, Iceland is the premier location for a truly hands-on educational experience and a professional launch pad into the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. In partnership with Reykjavik University's Iceland School of Energy graduate study program, this course will also explore how Iceland is becoming a leader in renewable energy innovation.

Global Learning Opportunities

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Summer Iceland - Experience Reykjavík in 9 Days

The Summer Iceland program is packed with incredible opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students looking to expand their international business education outside of the traditional classroom. While traveling abroad, they learn about Icelandic culture, history, customs, politics, and business practices. Most importantly, they observe how these practices are different from the United States. Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) programs provide a variety of unique opportunities: Network with business executives by visiting global companies to learn about how business is conducted and the challenges that come with running a multinational organization. Earn university credit while applying the knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life business settings. Gain a competitive advantage for your career by experiencing international policies, political climates, and international business environments while building confidence, cultural understanding, and an ability to adapt to a variety of situations. Experience some of the world's most well-known attractions and destinations.

How to Study Abroad in Iceland

Just south of the Arctic Circle, the Nordic island of Iceland is home to vast expanses, glaciers — and puffins. Its small size lends itself well to exploration, and you’ll likely be able to visit several locations during your stay. If you’re not already an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll certainly be converted by the time you depart!

The world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik is the country’s cultural and economic hub, as well as one of the world’s cleanest, safest, and most sustainable cities. About one third of Iceland’s 330,000 inhabitants call the city home, and many students choose to study abroad in Iceland here at Reykjavik University or the University of Iceland. Icelanders are quite welcoming to foreigners, and you likely won’t have trouble finding local friends for a quick soak in a hidden thermal pool or a visit to Laugavegur for a late night out.

Further afield is the town of Akureyri, located in the northeastern region. With a population of about 18,000, it’s Iceland’s second-largest urban area and is an important port and fishing center. The city is surrounded by mountains, helping to insulate it from cold winds and making it one of the warmer places to study in Iceland. Despite its size, the town has a vibrant cultural scene, and students can participate in folk dancing or check out the annual medieval festival.

On the Westfjords peninsula, Ísafjörður provides international students an opportunity to study coastal and marine management issues at the town’s distance learning center. The area is quickly becoming a popular destination for outdoor activities, and tourists enjoy hiking, skiing, surfing, and kayaking nearby. The adventurous can even explore the abandoned village of Hesteyri, which has sat empty since 1952 and is only accessible via ferry in the summer months.

When you study abroad in Iceland, don’t be too worried about the climate — it isn’t quite as cold as you’d think, but it’s unlikely you’ll be spending weekends sunbathing either. The southern coast, which includes Reykjavik, is warmer, wetter, and windier than other regions, and temperatures are generally mild. It’s a good idea to invest in a sturdy rain jacket before arriving to study abroad, as rain is common and unpredictable. Also important to keep in mind is Iceland’s northern location, which equals long, dark winters and nearly 24-hour daylight during the summer months. But don’t worry; there’s still much light to be gained from attending top schools for international students in Iceland.

Latest Program Reviews

Immensely Introspective and Life Changing Experience

March 18, 2026by: Jacob Weinsheimer - United States

Program: SIT Study Abroad: Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic

10

This experience was nothing short of life-changing. The nature of a program like this is to learn as much about yourself as you do the environment & climate change. Why is this? The nature of a program like this attracts independent, curious, and ambitious students who don't want a typical abroad experience, and brings them to one of the most sparsely populated and barren countries on Earth. If an experience like this sounds up your alley, it will change your life. I was heading into this abroad semester hoping to get some direction on where I wanted to focus my broad education in environmental studies, and getting exposed to so many disciplines and professionals across niches really gave me some idea of where to go. The students I studied with were wonderful, all independent like me, which was nice because we were all there for our own personal reasons, but we enjoyed each other's company and had so much fun together. On the homestays: If you are hesitant about the idea of living with a host family, I challenge you to embrace it with open arms. The Icelandic culture is so warm and humorous, and my host family filled me with so much laughter (and candy). The program director and assistant director were some of the warmest and most thoughtful educators, and I really can't say enough pleasant things about them. Overall, I learned so much during my semester abroad in Iceland and would recommend this program to anyone who is not afraid to spend some time alone with their thoughts, excited to seek out knowledge (this program requires you to be high agency to extract the most value), and ready to immerse themselves in a new and different culture. Overall 10/10.

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