Do this program for Iceland, not the academics! July 18, 2025
By A student (Chemistry & Environmental Science, SUNY - Binghamton) - abroad from 06/01/2025 to 07/14/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Iceland - Renewable Energy, Technology & Resource Economics (Summer 1)
I gained independence and self-confidence. I think that made the trip worthwhile for me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Graded based on few assignments. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Hostels could be cramped but were very clean. The dorms in Isafjordur are beautiful and tremendous. |
| * Food: |
Icelanders love their fish and lamb, and you will learn to love them as well. Isafjordur has especially amazing fish. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
GeoBlue insurance is provided and people who used it were reimbursed within a month |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Iceland is a beautiful country and you explore so much of the country while you are there. I liked how we had so many excursions and we were always on the move because then you can't get bored of one place. It's like a 6 week long road trip with people that become your family. I learned a lot of academic stuff as well but I think the lifelong lessons and just experiencing Iceland are the most important parts of the trip. |
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) |
Iceland is VERY expensive but you are given a meal card with appx. $1500 on it for the program, it lasted me the whole program but many people were running out a week or two early. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat your groceries for breakfast and lunch, then eat out for dinner. Cooking in Isafjordur is a must. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Laundry is very hard to do, often having to go to laundromats that only have like 2 washers and 2 dryers. Also was super expensive, paying around $8 to wash and $8 to dry. Most laundromats provide detergent for free though. Bring 2 weeks worth of clothes. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
