Iceland Abroad Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Compared to Middlebury the University of Iceland lacked rigor, but I had all the academic resources I needed. Even though UI was less rigorous than Midd, I felt that being abroad allowed me to recharge academically.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I did not receive living arrangements through my abroad program or the University of Iceland and had to find a place to live on my own. This was difficult, because with the Iceland tourism boom landlords can rent rooms to tourists for 3 times the amount they rent them to students. Some of my friends on my program lived at the campground in Reykjavik for the first week or two of classes until they could find housing.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt fairly integrated into Icelandic culture during my abroad experience. That said, it was difficult to make many Icelandic friends because of the language barrier. It is not that Icelanders do not speak English, but it is difficult to insert yourself into a conversation that is taking place in a different language.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

As an abroad student coming from the US you must obtain international health insurance for the first 6 months you are in Iceland. Middlebury College did provide me a service which was very helpful and what I used while in Iceland. My low rating for this section comes from the fact that the Icelandic authorities were not helpful in telling me if the Middlebury provided health insurance would work in Iceland and when I called the Middlebury health insurance provider they took be in circles and transferred me through various departments. I never did have to use my healthcare in Iceland, so I don't know how things would work if it ever needed to be used.

Reykjavik is an amazingly safe city and I never felt like I was in a bad situation.

Overall my Iceland experience was great! It did have some minor hiccups, but that comes with any study abroad experience. I had always wanted to go to Iceland and I finally made my dream come true through study abroad.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Face it, Iceland is really expensive. It is an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Everything has to be shipped there and all garbage has to be shipped off. Additionally, the country has a really high standard of living.

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• Apartment

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• International Students

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• International Students

• Meeting new friends
• Seeing a beautiful country
• Personal growth

• Housing
• Communication between University of Iceland and Students
• Class rigor