Study at a High School in Iceland

During your time at a high school in Iceland you’ll have the opportunity to make lots of new friends, learn a new language, and gain an intimate understanding of this ancient and rich culture. By living with a host family and attending a local school, you’ll be completely immersed in Icelandic society, which is extremely progressive and egalitarian. This once in a lifetime experience will be one you’ll never forget!

Things to know

Iceland is filled with geysers and hot springs and much of the country’s energy comes from geothermal heat. Lots of people in Iceland take ancient Viking folklore seriously and many of them even admit that they believe in elves and other magical creatures. Because of the Gulf Stream, Iceland is actually much warmer than you might expect. During the summer months it hardly ever gets dark so you might want to bring an eye mask!

70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA	2.5
Age Range	15yrs, 8 months to 18yrs, 6 months at start of program
Language Skills	Preferred, but not required
COVID-19 Vaccine	Strongly recommended, not required* *AFS cannot predict and is not responsible for changes to host school or government health requirements which may change from the time of application and could impact program eligibility

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your journey to Iceland

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Iceland will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff, volunteers and meet your fellow AFSers from around the world. Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Icelandic culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Meeting your Host Family

AFS students have been placed all over Iceland. Some students have lived with families in Reykjavik or in the countryside but you’ll probably live in a community along the coast. You might even have the chance to live with a couple different host families during your year abroad so you can experience life in different parts of the island.

Family in Iceland is especially important, as the country is so small. Icelandic families are often larger then in other Northern European countries and you might end up living with several siblings and stepsiblings. Extended family members usually don’t live together but uncles, aunts, and grandparents often help with childcare. Since most people in Iceland have been there for a very long time, charting family history is a popular hobby for many Icelanders, and you can expect to be brought into the conversation.

Settling into daily life in Iceland

Teenage Life

You may find that you’re given quite a bit of independence as a teenager attending high school in Iceland and might spend a lot of time socializing with your friends and meeting new people. Icelandic teenagers tend to enjoy the same kinds of activities as teenagers elsewhere around the world, such as going to parties, watching movies, or just hanging out. You’ll also have the opportunity to take music lessons, join a drama group, a choir, or a sports team.

Food you’ll encounter

Dinner is the most important meal of the day and it’s usually a time for the whole family to get together. Icelanders eat a lot of fish, lamb, cheese, and skyr, the local version of yogurt. Boiled potatoes accompany most meals. Thanks to Iceland’s many greenhouses a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables are also available.

Your High School in Iceland

As a high school student in Iceland you’ll most likely attend classes Monday through Friday from 8AM to 3PM. Compared to some countries the relationship between teachers and students in Iceland may seem casual and friendly. Teachers are addressed by their first names and students have a lot of freedom. In general the atmosphere at high schools in Icelandic is creative and supportive. During the school day you’ll have a great opportunity to make new friends and you’ll also have the option to join a variety of school clubs including photography, cinema, radio, mountaineering, and cooking.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

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What's Included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What's Not Included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
COVID-19 Tests
Spending money
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions..

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Iceland?	YES. Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	By mail
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.
When you return home, if you’re like most AFSers, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.
That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.
It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Iceland.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.