Iceland: A symbol for sustainable happiness Past Review
By Dylan M (Mechanical Engineering., North Carolina State University) - abroad from 08/06/2014 to 08/15/2014 with
The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad
I believe I will look back on the GREEN program as the start of many things in my life. Upon leaving the country I felt as if I had entered a haven, a utopia, a place where reoccurring themes of modern life did not apply. I found happiness and unimaginable power in the group I traveled with and I have seen the potential we, and myself, hold. I would recommend this program to ANY student who is interested in sustainability of any sort, as Iceland is a symbol for it all whether it be in its beauty, its practices or its culture. Upon leaving I feel I have the motivation to change the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I did not feel overwhelmed with my academics as I usually do back home. Although not overwhelming I found this program to push my academic approach to new heights and found that I learned more material with greater ease. I also felt my confidence in what I am capable of learning and applying improve greatly. I feel as if this is the ideal way to educate to promote passionate application. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt the atmosphere was carefully sculpted on this trip and each destination was a compiling journey. Everything from what seemed like a simplistic icelandic home to camping outside to what seemed like a 5 star hotel. |
| * Food: |
The food was never short of fulfilling. Most meals were healthy and wholesome foods that never failed to provide us with the energy we needed. After leaving the program I almost felt cleansed from what is typical american food. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt the program really made an effort to integrate icelandic culture into our experience whether it be from the food to the practices. Our guides never failed to keep us informed on the cultural norms and educate us on their home. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I felt the guidance of our program leaders to ensure safety at all points. I never felt endangered |
| 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) |
The country of iceland is fairly expensive in nature. However most everything was paid for through the program and expenses were rarely a concern |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book hostels/hotels in advanced |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That it would be impossible for me to regret spending the money I invested upfront |
