Christopher (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Iceland

I found out about the 360 exchange program when I was in high school, and it was then that I decided I wanted to go study in Iceland.

When I first got to Iceland in August, it was their summer, and I was blown away by the country’s dramatic landscapes and beauty; it did not take me very long to realise that I was going to be happy living here for an extended amount of time. 

My accommodation at the University of Iceland (Gamli Gadur) was similar to my university accommodation in New Zealand, a sort of flatting situation. There were 11 people to one big shared area (kitchen and living area). The building was modern and well-designed. The rooms were ensuite and quite spacious (for university accommodation). 

I thought the courses were taught very well at the University of Iceland. The lecturers were very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. A highlight of lectures was getting to study and monitor sites that were volcanically active. Sure enough, one of these areas erupted, which was an awesome bonus! 

Iceland is a small country (population 400,000), and the capital city of Reykjavik is also small, with a population of less than 200,000, making it roughly the same size as Hamilton. There are no high-rise buildings; it feels more like a town than a city. As the nights become longer, Reykjavik becomes lit up and is beautiful, especially before Christmas. 

Iceland is considered to be an expensive country to live in, but so is Auckland. Food prices are roughly 30% more expensive than what you would pay in a countdown/woolworths, except for meat, which you can pay over double. The most affordable meats are mince and chicken.

On campus, I joined 2 clubs associated with the university. The first club was the university choir; they rehearsed twice a week, and this was a great opportunity for me to make friends with the locals. This club pushed me in my musical abilities, and I even had the opportunity to conduct them in their concert. The other club i joined was the Dance club. This club pushed me outside my normal comfort zone, and I learned partner dancing, such as country swing and waltz.

Life on campus as an international student was a load of fun! A good 80% of the students in my earth science courses were also international students. This is where I made so many new friends. We would go to the cellar (their equivalent of the shadows bar) after class sometimes and have a drink. There were many events in the cellar; a highlight was the Star Wars-themed pub quiz that was hosted there.

I have so many highlights from my exchange; there were a couple that stood out, however. The first was when 10 of us in two cars travelled around the entire country (the Ring Road) in 4 days. We saw almost the entire country during this time and made some great memories! Another highlight was meeting and doing a composing and conducting masterclass with legendary choral composer Eric Whitacre. This opportunity was given to me by the conductor of the university choir!

The Hardest part of the exchange journey was actually the processes of applying for a resident permit. This required us to send a criminal background check, which took quite a while to receive and then have authenticated before we could post it to Iceland, which cost $100. Due to a small error in my application, I received my permit just in time for my flight over there! I would recommend getting the criminal background check and apostle done as soon as possible, even before you are fully accepted into the university.

My advice to a prospective exchange student is to just go for it; you will not regret it. Going on an exchange not only gives you a different perspective on your subject of study, but it also gives you a fresh perspective on life. My exchange to Iceland certainly changed my life for the better.


Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

The highlight of my academic experience at the University of Iceland was the JAR107M—Introduction to the Geology of Iceland—excursion. For this course, we started a week before the official beginning of the semester and spent 5 days on excursions around the south and Reykjavik, exploring the country’s unique geology and how the country was forged. I made many friends on these trips. I consider it to be the highlight of my exchange. 

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

Join some clubs at the university, specifically the dance club and the university choir!

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

1. Get your criminal background check and apostille done ASAP!

2. Get involved, do something new like join a club etc.

3. Make the most of the summer months before it gets cold and the highlands close!! Because of this we missed out on a couple hikes we were very keen to do!

Extra tip: Buy your alcohol in duty free (thank me later)

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

My accommodation costs were very similar to what I pay for UoA accommodation for a similar living style. It was actually slightly cheaper. Once you get your social security number, you are eligible for a payout from the Icelandic government of approximately $350 a month (housing benefit).

I found my food costs (home-cooked) were around $10 a day. 

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

They talk about how tall poppy syndrome is an issue in New Zealand, but you truly don’t notice it until you go live overseas (especially in Europe) and then return to New Zealand. Living in Iceland, I found that everyone would build each other up and be happy/congratulate others on their successes. This was a fantastic cultural shock that genuinely inspired me to do well in my coursework and music.

Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?

After leaving Iceland, I did some travel around Europe, visiting England, Austria, and Switzerland.

While in Vienna and Salzburg, I went to many music-related museums, such as many Mozart-related buildings (where he was born and where he lived). The House of Music in Vienna was a highlight! I also went to two concerts in Austria: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a concert of Mozart’s music in the Mirabell Palace (the marble room).museums,

Final Comments

Just do it! You will most certainly not regret it!! 


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Tags: 2023, Natural Sciences, Report