Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
Iceland is filled with rugged coastlines, glaciers, hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, and lava deserts, although its climate is milder than you might expect. The sky often lights up with the aurora borealis, especially in autumn and winter.
Icelanders tend to be progressive people who enjoy outdoor activities (swimming in hot springs, skiing, and horseback riding) and are proud of their literary tradition.
As an AFSer in Iceland you’ll live with a host family, attend school, and experience a unique and beautiful country.
Language
Icelandic is the language of Iceland; English, other Nordic languages like Danish, and German are widely spoken as well. The language has changed very little in the past 11 centuries: it still retains an inflection system from the Viking age.
Although there is no language requirement in order to participate in this program, we strongly suggest that you learn as much Icelandic as possible prior to departure.
Host Family & Community
Students may be placed anywhere in Iceland. Some will be placed in Reykjavik or in the countryside, but most host families live along the coastline. It’s possible that you’ll have the opportunity to stay with several host families during your year in Iceland and experience different parts of the country.
Many host families live in small and isolated areas, so you may have to travel quite a distance to school or to see your friends.
Host families in Iceland, like all AFS host families worldwide, are not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Icelanders
Icelanders are proud of their Viking blood and many continue holding old Norse beliefs: a majority of Icelanders won’t rule out the existence of elves. While holding history close, the country is socially progressive and equality oriented.
People live in a very close relation with nature. This is because of the peculiarity of Iceland’s environment and is reflected in both the culture and the attitude. Much of Iceland’s power and heat is generated naturally as Iceland is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and waterfalls that provide hydroelectric power. 90% of Icelandic houses are heated by hot springs, which are also used for the greenhouses where Icelandic bananas are grown.
Icelandic families tend to be close-knit. The family is important, but there is great diversity of family structures and types. In most families, both parents work outside home, and everyone shares in the housework. In the warmer months, Icelandic families often travel together.
Teens
Teenagers have considerable independence. Like most teens around the world, Icelandic teens enjoy getting together with friends on weekends to talk, go to parties or see a movie. Watching TV and playing chess are common non-athletic activities.
Students may join a variety of clubs at school such as photography, cinema, radio, and choir or do activities like mountaineering, modeling, and cooking. Besides the many activities offered by schools, most communities offer music lessons, drama clubs, choir and sports. Icelanders enjoy fishing, swimming in hot springs, soccer, skiing and horseback riding. Camping and hiking are popular pastimes as well.
Meals
Icelanders place great value on everyone gathering for dinner; sometimes this is the only time the whole family is together. It is considered impolite not to show up for dinner. Children are expected to call home if they cannot be there.
The basic Icelandic diet includes a lot of fish and sea products, lamb and dairy foods like cheese. Fresh fish is plentiful and is eaten in many ways. This reflects the environment, but potatoes and bread are also served with almost every meal. Pasta and pizza are becoming more common. Coffee is very popular drink.
Vegetarianism is extremely rare.
Host School
You will be placed either in the last year of grunnskóli (for students between 6 and 16) or the first year of framhaldsskóli (for students between 16 and 20). Grunnskóli students go to class Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-3:00PM. The schedule for Framhaldsskóli varies.
There are three types of framhaldsskóli in Iceland: Iðnskóli, a technical school which trains students for the trades or industrial work; Fjölbrautaskóli, a school that prepared students for university or for various professions; and Menntaskóli, a traditional school that prepares students for intensive study at university. Icelandic, Danish, and English are all required classes and students choose one additional language to study as well.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in New York. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In New York, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Keflavik. International airfare is included as part of the tuition.
Your Arrival
You and your fellow AFSers will arrive in Keflavik, a town 40 km from Reykjavik, collect your baggage and pass through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers who will take you to the Arrival Orientation Site. After the orientation, you may be picked up by your host family or you’ll travel to your host community by bus or plane.
Your Return
You and your fellow AFSers will return to Reykjavik the day before departure for an overnight evaluation camp. The following day you will fly with the U.S. participants back to New York.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
The Arrival Orientation will take place in Reykjavik and will last two or three days. It is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
Mid-Stay Orientations
About six weeks after your arrival, you will attend a two-day orientation camp for all hosted students. It will be held on a weekend in a countryside location outside Reykjavík. In addition to evaluating of the first part of your stay, you will work on intercultural learning skills, group activities of family life, school adjustment and socialization.
In March you will participate in another Mid-Stay Orientation, which will feature several cultural events including visits to museums and countryside excursions.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp immediately prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
Optional Activities
Many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Iceland.
Among other activities that volunteers may organize in your chapter, there is an optional one-week home stay on a farm after the school year ends in May. It is a popular activity with AFSers.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range upon departure (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down)
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
Iceland is not able to accommodate vegetarians or students with dietary restrictions.
High School graduates will be considered for this program if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Although there is no language requirement in order to participate in this program, we strongly suggest that you learn as much Icelandic as possible prior to departure.
You may have the opportunity to live with more than one family during your year in Iceland.
