Personal & Professional Transformation in the Land of Fire & Ice Past Review
By Joe T (University of Southern California) - abroad from 12/13/2015 to 12/20/2015 with
The GREEN Program: Iceland - Sustainability and Renewable Energy Abroad
The GREEN Program transformed a lost, increasingly anxious college senior into a thriving, confident global citizen. In just eight days, the psychological smog that had plagued me for many years finally cleared. By being able to be fully present, I gained invaluable leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and organizational skills. I am more capable and compassionate about my work today, and I thank TGP for giving me the platform for my metamorphosis. It is an invaluable experience.
Review Photos
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local 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
The power of being in the moment is the key to the success of this short-term, experimental study abroad program. You are not given the agenda until the night before for the next day, thus forced to live in the now. For the first time in a long time, I slowed down my mind and lived, leaving the conditional “what ifs” behind. It was as if the psychological smog had cleared and my life finally had a purpose. Now, I am a confident global citizen, passionate about SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and in particular, renewable energy. I author a blog, educating viewers on the basics of clean energy sourcing and storage. |
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? | 250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Iceland is expensive, so if you are questioning a purchase, hold off on spending the money right away. Give it a few days. If you want it, say an Icelandic sweater, it will be there. |
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? |
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? | I'm glad I went into TGP with a blank slate. I would never want to know what I know now going into it. The experience would not have been so impactful, so meaningful, so transformative. |
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.' |
