Unforgettable Iceland Past Review
By A student (University of Oklahoma) - abroad from 02/09/2015 to 05/01/2015 with
Center for Ecological Living & Learning: Solheimar - Iceland Program
I gained an appreciation for all of nature. Absolutely.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is what you make of it. There are many opportunities for self-growth, and the loose grading structure gives students a chance to break from conventional education to focus on applied learning with experiences. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host country team is an essential key to this program. They make up the community coursework, and they are amazing people to work and learn with! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very comfortable living space. Very flexible in suiting to individual needs. |
| * Food: |
Great food! Not true Icelandic most of the time, but there are plenty of opportunities to try it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The home people made us feel like members of the community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The times I heard of instances being a little bit more difficult weren't program-specific, but in general due to Iceland's distances, it is expected to drive a while for care if needed. |
| * Safety: |
Could not feel safer at Solheimar. |
| 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) |
Once paid for, the program covered all of the necessities. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not get local currency at the airport. Don't get "services" in Reykjavik (hair-cuts, etc) |
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 |
The program had a language component, but due to the length, it would have been very hard to really learn it, we just learned greeting phrases. |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Learn grammar abroad before arriving. |
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? |
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? | You can do entrepreneurial activities, you just have to propose them to the program administrators with enough time in advance and they'll help you make it happen! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
