Focus on Iceland

  Iceland

Reykjavik

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: inquire for specific dates

Description: Iceland is a world apart from the normal, filled with rugged coastlines, glaciers, hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, and lava deserts. The resilient culture that has developed in this landscape has a rich history: its parliament, the Althin, is the oldest in the world, dating back nearly 1,000 year. You'll receive training apes and classes during the school year to help you learn Icelandic. Most Icelanders can speak English, so they'll help you learn the language. You'll also learn that despite its name and location, Iceland's climate is actually mild because of the warming effects of the Gulf Stream. Icelanders enjoy fishing, swimming in hot springs, soccer, skiing, and horseback riding.

Highlights: From August through may you'll attend classes in either the last year of grunsskoli (ages 6-16) or framhaldsskoli (ages 16-20). There are three types of framhaldsskoli: college prep, specialized secondary school, and technical school. Icelandic schools offer a lot of after-school activities as there is competition between schools. You may join a variety of clubs with your friends such as photography, drama, sports, literature, music, cinema, choir, mountaineering, or dancing. AFS Iceland also has several activities during the year: a two-day camp in the country; a four-day camp that focuses on cultural excursions; and an optional one-week homestay on a farm after the school year is over.

Cost in US$: $9,900

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

AFS Intercultural Programs's Mission Statement: AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Intercultural Programs is a leader in intercultural learning and offers international exchange programs in over 50 countries around the world through independent, not-for-profit AFS organizations, each with a network of volunteers, a professionally staffed office, and headed up by a volunteer board.

Year Founded: 1947