Faculty-led Program in Iceland - Winter

‌Iceland is the land of Fire (volcanoes), Ice (glaciers) and extraordinarily resilient cultures. The course will discover how environmental conditions contribute toward a culture’s ceremonies, food preferences, mythologies, and sense of place. Our diverse environments play a major role in how are lives are shaped. Moreover, we will investigate how humanity's actions may have positive and/or negative environmental impacts. This course will track how many Icelandic and Scandinavian cultural traits persist to this day in the United States. Like the Vikings before us, we will explore Iceland and learn from one of Earth’s most beautiful landscapes that contains glaciers, Northern Lights, volcanoes, as well as some of humanity’s best environmental sustainability practices.

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: September 20, 2024
Program Dates: January 4, 2025 to January 14, 2025 (Dates tentative)

To get started for Winter Break-Iceland 2024-25, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Course Leader

Chad Heinzel, Professor

Department: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Phone: 319-273-6168
E-mail:chad.heinzel@uni.edu
Campus Address: LAT 116

Chad has traveled to Sicily and southern Italy over 20 summers, conducting research and leading undergraduate to graduate student field schools. He has traveled with UNI students to Iceland for the past 2 winters and is looking forward to returning this upcoming winter! He loves sharing his passion for international education with students.

One of Chad's favorite quotes: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Academics

EarthSci 3336: Natural Resources and Civilizations (3 credit hours)

This is a UNIFI: Responsibility category course. It can count as a general education UNIFI elective credit under the category of Connect. This course can also be part of the UNIFI Certificate in Sustainability.

No prerequisites. All majors welcome. Participation in this program requires several class meetings during the fall semester, although the course is scheduled as a winter session course. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

To view a tentative syllabus, click HERE.

NOTES:

Winter session courses are billed tuition and fees.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Saturday, January 4 - Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Class meetings immediately before/after the program will be scheduled at a later date. Please make sure to have flexible availability during this time. Note: Students arrange their own housing and meals while participating in the on-campus component. The cost of housing and meals while participating in the on-campus component is NOT factored in the program's cost estimate.

Day 1: Group flight out of Chicago O'Hare Airport to Reykjavík, Iceland. Overnight flight; arrive the next morning.

Day 2: Arrive in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Have breakfast at a local bakery, followed by a city tour of Reykjavík.

Day 3: Visit the National Museum of Iceland and learn about Icelandic culture and society over the past 1200 years as well as the Perlan Museum, where you can learn about Iceland's natural wonders with interactive exhibits such as the world's first indoor ice cave. Group dinner in the evening.

Day 4: Today you will be exploring volcanic activity and deposits in the area. Discover the amazing geological features of Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Geopark. Travel along the coast and take a walk on the Bridge between Continents. Here you can see the Mid-Atlantic ridge that divides the North American and European tectonic plates. Iceland is the only place on Earth where the ridge can be seen on land. End the day at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famous geothermally-heated spa.

Day 5: Reykjavík Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster, Hellisheiði Power Station, Carbfix reinjection well.

Iceland is the only Western country that produces all its electricity from sustainable natural resources in the form of geothermal and hydro-electric power. Today, you will visit with representatives from the Geothermal Research Cluster to learn about their roles in researching and developing of geothermal resources. Next, visit Hellisheiði Power Station, located on an active volcanic ridge, for an overview of how geothermal energy is processed from hot water and a private guided tour through the plant. Next, you will have an in-depth lecture in a conference room in Hellisheidi Power plant on Carbfix. It is not only trees and vegetation that bind carbon from the atmosphere. Huge quantities of carbon are naturally stored in rocks. Carbfix stands for Carbon Fixation. The process was developed to help nature re-balance the carbon cycle by imitating and accelerating natural storage of CO2 in favorable rock formations. After your lecture, watch a security video and put on helmets and vests before driving to the Carbfix reinjection well. Get an in-depth explanation of the process.

Day 6: This Golden Circle day tour includes the most popular natural wonders of Iceland: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area.

Located in a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, Þingvellir is also the site of the world’s oldest democratic parliament, founded in 930 A.D. Next, visit to the famous Geysir geothermal area and its bubbling springs and hot mud pots. The most active geyser of the area is Strokkur, erupting up to 30 m (98 feet) high every 7-10 minutes. Strokkur is surrounded by many other small and interesting bubbling geysers and mud pots. Only a few minutes’ drive from Geysir is Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Thousands of tons of water from a glacial river thunder down into a canyon from two different levels of ledges. One ledge is 11m (36 feet) high, and the other is 21 m (69 feet). Next, visit Friðheimar: Organic Greenhouse Farm where you can see how vegetables are grown using Iceland’s geothermal energy. Continue from Golden Circle to the South part of Iceland. If the skies are clear, you’ll have a view of two famous volcanoes. Beautiful Mt. Hekla is Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano (last eruption in year 2000). Eyjafjallajökull’s 2010 eruption halted international air traffic. The volcano will be visible from your accommodation in Hellishólar on a clear day. If the group is lucky and the conditions are favorable you may have an opportunity to see northern lights tonight. Group dinner in the evening.

Day 7: South Shore: Seljalandsfoss, Eyjafjallajökull, Skógafoss, Skógar museum

The first stop is at Seljalandsfoss, a ribbon-shaped waterfall you can walk behind if trail conditions are just right. Visit breathtaking Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls. Nearby is the local Skógar museum. Here you can see buildings and objects that show how Icelanders lived in the countryside over the last few centuries. Pass by the Dyrhólaey headland with its sheer cliffs and onwards to Reynisfjara, where you can take a walk on the beach. You can also get a view of the Reynisdrangar rocks, located 66 meters (215 feet) above sea level. A packed lunch is included for this day trip. Return to Reykjavík for the remainder of your stay.

Day 8: Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon and Skaftafell National Park

Start off the day by seeing the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, where 1,000 year old blue, white, turquoise and black streaked glaciers and icebergs are constantly shifting, changing, and floating out to sea. Nearby is 'The Diamond Beach' because of the glaciers from Jokulsarlon that have washed up on the sand and sparkle like diamonds. Next visit the Skaftafell region of Vatnajokull National Park, a lush oasis where you will hike to the mouth of a crystal blue, naturally occurring cave for the Blue Ice Cave Tour. On your way back, you will explore Kirkjugolf Natural Monument. Nicknamed "The Church Floor" there is a fascinating natural geological formation that consists of hexagonal basalt columns that resemble a man-made tiled floor formed by volcanic activity and the cooling and crackling of lava over time.

Day 9: Explore Fjaðrarglijufur Canyon, a magnificent and massive canyon about 1.24 miles long on your way back to Reykjavík. You will also visit the Lava Volcano and Earthquake Center in Hvolsvðllur.

Day 10: Free day in Reykjavík

Day 11: Fly back to Chicago

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Iceland, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Iceland

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center while abroad. The cost of these hotels are included in the "Program Cost" line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the "Program Cost" (example: all breakfasts at hotels and 4 additional group meals in Iceland). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.

Part of the course will be based on UNI's campus. While on campus, students will arrange their own housing and meals. The cost of housing and meals while participating in the on-campus component is NOT factored in the program's cost estimate.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $6,771*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$6,771
Estimated U-bill Charges	$5,998
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$773

Iceland Cost Estimate (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,824
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$11,325

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.