Going GREEN Gives Studying Abroad a New Meaning Past Review
By Philip L (Mechanical Engineering., Temple University) - abroad from 05/28/2014 to 06/06/2014 with
The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad
The GREEN Program was truly an amazing experience that most students are not lucky enough to be a part of. This program filled me with excitement that I had lost in previous years, and began to fill my life with adventure once again. It was an experience that everyone should be able to have at some point in their life; it opens up the doorway of opportunity and allows you to step out of your comfort zone and experience things that you never thought you would ever do. You meet people that will become friends for life, and you learn to realize that the world is full of brilliant individuals that are willing to put in all they have in order to achieve their goals. It was a great experience making friends and having to trust people at a moment's notice, and it really challenged my personal concepts and opened up my mind to opportunity. This program allows students to step out of the normal classroom grind of college courses, and immerse themselves into a culture that is defined by people who have put in a lifetimes worth of effort to change the world for the better. Being able to take courses at the Reykjavik school of energy in Iceland was an experience in itself. With the GREEN Program, we were allowed full access to the University including a full tour of the school, giving us a glimpse of what the university is doing to commit to the green revolution. The school has become the epicenter of green technology for Iceland as well as students from all over the world who wish to peruse a career in renewable energy. We were fortunate enough to have multiple classes taught by the top professor in the college where we learned about various types of renewable energy as well as energy economics. Being able to take graduate courses at a world class energy university opens your eyes to a world of opportunity, almost giving you a glimpse into the future and allowing you to make decisions that can really benefit yourself. What makes the GREEN Program different from a normal study abroad experience is the inside access to world class energy facilities, and the hands on experience and adventure outside the classroom. We got to visit and explore multiple hydro and geothermal power plants in which we had full access to the facilities, and learned exactly how these power plants harnessed the energy of water and steam to create electricity. Not once have I taken a class at a university that granted me access into some of the world's most amazing engineering marvels. We also got to travel all around Southern Iceland witnessing beautiful waterfalls, countryside, geothermal hot springs, cave diving, glacier water snorkeling, and glacier hikes. It is almost impossible to describe how amazing this experience was in words. If you really want to know how amazing the GREEN program is you have to go experience it for yourself. Not only will you experience the study abroad experience of a lifetime, but you will meet amazing people and learn how you can benefit yourself and help change the world for the better.
Review Photos
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. |
The academic experience on the program was impacting. On this trip you learn to find yourself, and how to make true friends. You get to study renewable energy in the heart of Iceland, and explore the environment to learn about sustainability. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had full access to Reykjavik School of energy which is a graduate school located in the heart of Reykjavik, Iceland. We were taught by some of the leading professors in the University, in which they taught us about the various sources of renewable energy that are active in Iceland as well as energy economics. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were very interesting. We got to stay in many guest houses and go camping as well. For the first couple nights we stayed in a guesthouse where the 40 of us were separated into 3 giant cabins. In my cabin there was a common room with a table ad a few chairs, four rooms and 2 beds in each room. Bunking with people you had just met was a great experience because you got to meet everyone and have a common area to just sit and mingle. There was also a main dining hall in which all of us met for breakfast and dinner. The owner of the guesthouse cooked every meal and the food was amazing. Camping was also awesome because we got to ride super jeeps through the middle of no where trekking through rivers to get to the camp site. The camp site was in a valley between three glaciers which made for a beautiful site. Each group of three to 4 people had a tent to themselves in which we shared for two nights. The site had facilities, a sauna, and a natural hot spring pool which made it easy to stay clean. After camping we stayed at another guesthouse which was very nice. the whole group was split up into many cabins which ranged from many sizes. I bunked with three other people in a cabin with a bathroom and shower. The guesthouse was on a farm which had many hot tubs, and lots of common areas for you to relax. The food there was also very good. The final guesthouse we stayed in was very classy. It was a green community filled with green roofed cabins, a geothermal hot spring and lots of land. The house we stayed in fit 20 at least and we slept 2-3 per room, the beds were comfortable and the food was delicious. |
| * Food: |
The food was great wherever we went. I got to eat classic Icelandic cuisine, and got to experience food cooked by geothermal steam. I also recommend the world famous hot dog stand in Reykjavik. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were in the heartland of Icelandic culture. We got to explore Reykjavik which is the largest and only city in Iceland. We got to experience the farm life at two of the guesthouses, and the absolute beauty of Iceland when we went camping in the middle of Iceland's largest natural park. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The first few days of the trip I was feeling extremely jet lagged and nauseous, and our guides did everything the could to make me feel better. Luckily other than that I did not have any major health issues. However, one of our guides was one of the leading first respondents in all of Iceland so we were always in great hands. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt extremely safe wherever i went in Iceland. Everyone is extremely friendly, and Iceland literally has no crime rate! |
| 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) |
All expense were payed in advance so you didn't have to worry about paying for boarding or food. I brought some extra money with me to spend on souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Our guides always spoke in Icelandic, and encouraged us to try to say the names of places we visited. Every time we were all in the bus the guides had us do a count off in Icelandic. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had bought a book on the Icelandic language and tried very hard to learn the alphabet. |
| 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? | It is almost impossible to learn Icelandic without exposure, so immerse yourself! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | People are amazing, and are always willing to meet someone that is just as dedicated and motivated as they are. Get out and meet people, because the more friends you have the more successful you will become. |
