Discovered my Passions Past Review
By Patrick W (Mechanical Engineering, Lehigh University) - abroad from 05/18/2015 to 05/27/2015 with
The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad
I gained knowledge of the issue of sustainable energy from multiple perspectives, and also discovered my passions for adventure. This all led me to pursue sustainable energy as a career option, hopefully bringing me on many adventures in the future.
Review Photos
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. |
This program gave me a great insight into Iceland's sustainable energy industry and the impact it has on the world around us. Between the power plant tours and the outdoor excursions, I was able to view the issue of sustainable energy from both an environmental and industrial perspective. Outside of the educational aspects of the program, I also appreciated the adventurous activities I took part in with the interesting people I met. It all taught me a lot about myself and sparked an adventurous drive within me, allowing me to discover my passions and point me in a better-guided direction as I plan my future career. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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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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| 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) |
The program itself was expensive, but everything you need is provided by the program, so you could very well go through the whole program without spending a dime of personal expenses |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you know the currency exchange rate from US Dollars to Icelandic Krona. Also, it's important to note that decimal points take the place of commas when Icelandic money amounts are written. (i.e. 20.000 ISK = 20,000 Icelandic Krona, not 20 Icelandic Krona). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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? | Getting from Reyjavik to the airport isn't too big of an undertaking. So if you end up spending an extra night in Iceland before flying home, don't hesitate to stay at a hostel in Reyjavik so you can experience the city. I'd recommend Kex Hostel but there's a number of other ones. Other than that, there's nothing I wish I had known before the trip. I think the best way to approach it is with an open mind, living each unexpected experience in the moment. |
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.' |
