Cold, challenging, but rewarding personal growth in the end August 17, 2024
By A student (Environmental Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/05/2024 to 04/26/2024 with
Wellesley College: Wellesley-in-Iceland
I learned how to be independent and how to make the study abroad trip worthwhile one my own. The best part of this program is the opportunity to do your own research with the help of Justin Armstrong which I am grateful for.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The graduate courses available were definitely more intensive and the under graduate level classes were moderate and easy to handle as a Wellesley College Student |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The university of Akureyri administration were very helpful with my classes and allowing me to take my final exams in Reykjavik |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm room itself was great you get a very spacious room and share a bathroom with one other person |
| * Food: |
Iceland’s food is unmatched, though if you like spicy food, you will not be craving it as that is not really in Akureyri |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Iceland itself as well as Akureyri is one of the safest place you can be, as someone with a big emphasis on safety when choosing Wellesley College, this program and country is probably one of the safest. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I had a rough time socially as all of my dorm mates and classmates were international students that only liked to drink alcohol and party, and would steal my food, so unless your favorite pastime with friends is clubbing and alcohol you will have a rough time with making Friends in classes and in your dorm. |
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) |
If you budget well it is manageable to eat decently in Iceland. They are around New York groceries prices except for fish and meat, which are much more expensive in Iceland because of import/export |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-130 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy your groceries from Bonus, it’s the cheapest grocery chain in Iceland. But save some money each weekend to go out and eat something new ! The University of Akureyri also has a fridge in the library full of food you can take ! |
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 |
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| 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? | Korean 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice ordering food from cafe’s in Icelandic but if you want to learn the language, definitely take the language course ! |
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? | 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? | I wish I knew how important it was to make connections earlier on with people outside of my immediate proximity. Luckily later on I met two law students who were amazing and very helpful and friendly, which made it less isolating. Highly recommend taking a graduate class so you can meet some different people who have likely lived there for a semester already :) |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
