Holy Freakin A That was Awesome Past Review

By (Engineering Management Systems, Columbia University) - abroad from 05/14/2014 to 05/23/2014 with

The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
what can I say about the 10 greatest days of my life that would do it justice? The experience was like no other. from sleeping in the wilderness in the shadows of eyjafjallajökull, to snorkeling in thingvellir, to freaking climbing a glacial tongue. while pictures may capture what a scene looked like, they will never capture the scents and sounds, and the experience of seeing the beauty of this country firsthand. They will never be able to fully show you what racing the sunset up a mountain feels like, nor how awesome it is to go to a hot spring (you get used to the smell). I met so many people from so many different places and backgrounds, but they all shared one thing in common, a vision for a greener future. finally i had met people who actually cared about protecting all of this so that there our children can see all the beauty that we got to see firsthand, smell the fresh clean air, and yes potentially jump into glacier runoff in nothing but their underwear. This program showed me how awesome things can be if you just say yes, why not try that new adventure. I hope to someday come back here and you can count on me to tell everybody I see that they need to come try this program. Best. Trip. Ever.

Review Photos

The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad Photo The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad Photo The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad Photo The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad Photo

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.

The guest lectures were quite informative.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The whole crew here knows what they are doing, well informed and cool to chill with

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The places we stayed at were off the hook, so cool, scenic, and just awesome staff

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

we spent time a lot of time with locals, including meeting people at a public pool.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

n/a

* Safety:

very safe, crime is basically nonexistent in iceland, and the guides are all part of rescue crews so you are never in any real danger

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

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? $70 (but was my choice to spend that much)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy alcohol in duty free

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Glacier Snorkeling
  • Mountain Hiking (including glacier sliding)
  • Hot Springs
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
  • I Cannot think of a thing
  • It was that good
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is so much better than what you Imagined, get to know everyone better

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.