Browsing through social media lighted my internal fire of desire to travel to Iceland. The beautiful sceneries of waterfalls, glaciers and mountain tops with a dusting of snow surrounding the towns were beyond my imagination. When I was searching on the study abroad website and saw a summer program to the country, I knew I had to apply. The course had really nothing to offer in the zoology field, but it focused on aspects that still grabbed my interest. I care deeply for the environment and sustainability and Iceland is a model country for being green. 

While abroad we travelled to one of the many power plants that are producing energy and hot water for some of the homes in the city of Reykjavik. There were two different types of plants: hydro and geothermal. One used the flow of water while the other used the steam produced by the water that resides under the ground at extreme temperatures. You knew you were at a geothermal plant because of the oh-so-familiar smell of sulfur in the air (Iceland’s famous hot springs also have the lovely smell of eggs lingering). 

Besides the learning aspect of a study abroad program, the social part is something that is so special and unique. No two programs are the same but the friends and memories you make abroad are unforgettable. The group I was with admired the beauty of Iceland just as much as I did. We spent countless hours playing Psyche on the bus, saying we were on a different planet like mars, drinking from every waterfall and rating the water, and bonding over Uno games most nights. When you’re stuck with a group of people for two weeks it’s not very hard to make close friends quick. Iceland allowed us to bond over a hike through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge or constantly coming in contact with the dark blueish gray lava rock that covers the entirety of the island. Sharing Dramamine with everyone before the whale watching trip and constantly asking someone to take your picture because you want to document every second of the utter magnificence of a waterfall is something that will never be forgotten. 

Study abroad programs are something that every college student should be able to attend because you get a completely different experience than a solo trip. The people you meet and friendships that you make along the way are better than you could ever think of. This opportunity brought new faces that shortly became friends into my life and that to me is the greatest outcome of a study abroad program. 

Iceland will forever be a special place because of the memories, landscape and knowledge that I have gained.     

Name: Tiffany Thurow
Status: Junior
Major: Zoology
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Program: Natural Science in Iceland: Land of 'Fire and Ice'