It's time to be an Agent of Change. Thank you CELL Iceland Past Review
By Eric B (ENVT/ GLOBAL Studies, Pacific Lutheran University) for
Center for Ecological Living & Learning: Solheimar - Iceland Program
Any study abroad experience is worthwhile. It is invaluable and I am still in process of what I gain from it. I know though that with my three semesters abroad I have changed for the better.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: Ability to motivate and empower, ability to explore personal goals along with guided courses, comradeship Weakness: Lack of freedom |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a hostel of the CELL students in a close community of 100 local residents |
| * Food: |
We cooked our meals as a group. My dietary restrictions were met quite well with consideration of being in Iceland where meat and dairy are the staples. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Lived in a great village that provided a great opportunity for immersion. It was just the natural barriers of language and disabilities that kept full acceptance. Our hosts during travel were extremely caring and friendly as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
One person broke the ankle in two spots and she had difficulties with the hospital who ended up treating the ankle wrong and she had to get surgery again in the states to fix it. The was the only health issue of the trip |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is looking for an alternative abroad experience who is dedicated to the environmental movement. The three month opportunity provides the ability to encompass the environmental movement and motivate you to become an agent of change rather than one to mull in the gloom of the situation. You must be mentally prepared as well to not have the ability for free movement outside of the group as the time is full and you will be together as a group for the entire time. Solheimar also provides a unique experience. It is an ecovillage, but it is also a home for people with special needs. It gives an experience that is not really available elsewhere. |
