Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Iceland and Finland: Something new every day Past Review

By (University of St. Thomas - Minnesota) - abroad from 08/16/2019 to 11/26/2019 with

SIT Study Abroad: Iceland - Climate Change and the Arctic

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to learn differently. Having field-based learning experiences was a new thing to me. There were not people reminding me what I needed to do every day so I also had to learn to be self-motivated. It was 100% worthwhile because I developed my character and learned more about myself as a person.

Review Photos

SIT Study Abroad: Iceland and Greenland - Climate Change and the Arctic Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My program gave me insurance resources and a walk-in clinic to go into where I was seen and prescribed medicine. Very accessible and the healthcare system is similar to the U.S.

* Safety:

The most safe country in the world!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

If I could do it all over again I would definitely choose this program because our group, leaders, and experience were something I would not have gotten anywhere else. The freedom this program provides is unlike any other I've seen before.

Finances

* 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)

Iceland is an extremely expensive country, but a stipend was provided for food and taught me how to budget more.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find a middle-ground between too conservative and wild spending. It's always good to budget week-by-week and set aside extra money at the end of each week to save for later.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We took about 9 hours of Icelandic and could understand some simple conversations/phrases, but most Icelanders are proficient in English so it was not as important to communication.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish only
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Icelanders are very willing to help you practice your Icelandic! Work on basic conversations and ask people at cafes or restaurants to help you.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The director and coordinator
  • The flexibility and freedom
  • The emphasis on field work
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of class time vs. field work
  • Communication of objectives
  • Clear distinction between courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program is more run by you. Much of the work is completed individually and the last 5 weeks are entirely on you to produce good work and structure your days.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.