Having studied abroad for three semesters, I can confidently say that saying goodbye is my least favorite part. Amid the flurry of packing, finals, and last nights out with friends, I’ve made sure to take some time to reflect on what I’ve learned and accomplished during my time abroad. I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone with new foods, the weather, solo traveling, traveling with people I’ve just met, and even doing a cold plunge! (never again lol). Trying new and sometimes uncomfortable things is a fantastic way to grow and achieve your goals. If I hadn’t decided to face my dislike of the cold in order to be here, I never would have fulfilled my lifelong dream of seeing the northern lights.
Experiencing the fall/winter here has allowed me to see some incredible natural sites such as ice caves, glaciers, and even some reindeer! On top of all that, I’ve also gotten to see an active volcano as it erupted! My favorite part of studying here for the whole semester was that I got to see Icelandic nature as it changed between the summer and the winter. I was able to see frost and snow slowly cover the landscape as the sunlight disappeared and the sky made everything look pastel. Many of the waterfalls on the sides of the mountains had frozen as well, making it feel like time itself was frozen. And with the lack of trees, we could see these beautiful landscapes for miles on a clear day.
Now that finals are done, I have been able to spend more time exploring the city with my friends. One of my favorite things to do is visit some of the bookstores around the city and see what new books are out. In Iceland, the vast majority of books are published between October and December since there is such a large literature culture around the holidays. Since it is so cold out, many people decide to stay inside and read or write. One of my professors told us that one in every ten Icelanders is actually a published author!
In my last few days here, I look forward to seeing some local live music, going Christmas shopping, and eating at my favorite restaurants one last time before heading home for the holidays. I know that Iceland is not a particularly popular location for GW students to study abroad, but I highly encourage anyone thinking about studying abroad to consider it. This has been an incredible semester and Reykjavik is a fantastic city, and I will absolutely be back for a visit at some point!
Alina Stalker
Fall 2024 – GW Exchange - University of Iceland
Spring 2024 – GW Exchange - University of Auckland
Fall 2022 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Belfast Semester
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Criminal Justice Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program