Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One of a kind! July 08, 2026

By (Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 02/13/2026 to 05/25/2026 with

SIT Study Abroad: Iceland - Climate Change and the Arctic

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learn a lot about my academic subject and myself. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

A broad range of topics were expertly covered although the depth to which topics were studied left something to be desired.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I haven't heard of many other programs where you hike with your professor on a glacier.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It's what you make of it! Hostels were a lot of fun with other students and homestay is what you make of it.

* Food:

Iceland doesn't have amazing food tbh.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had somewhat of a unique experience with my ISP period which helped me feel very integrated into the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It wasn't quite what i expected but it was special, memorable, and educational.

Finances

* 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)

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? Cook

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Pools/hot tubs
  • Ski/snowboard
  • Homestay
* What could be improved?
  • Homestay self selection possibility
  • One longer break needed
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Even though it seems like the whole program is very organised for you there is a lot of freedom in the ISP period so start thinking about what you wanna do/where you wanna live then.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'