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Important Dates

Program Dates: May 12 - 21, 2025

Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

Withdrawal/Commitment Deadline: February 9, 2024

Final Payment Deadline: The program fee will be billed to your ����ɫ��ҹ student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Summer 2025 due date.

Course Information

Course Name and CRN: GEOG 40492: Study Away; Exploring Iceland: Landscape, Culture, and Sustainability

Number of Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: College of Arts & Sciences

Course Language of Instruction: English

Course Description: This education abroad course will offer a comprehensive exploration of Iceland's unique geological landscapes, innovative approaches to sustainability, and rich culture. Through an interdisciplinary approach, you will gain a deep understanding of the history, society, environment, and sustainable practices of the country. The course will include two meetings prior to the trip and one post-trip meeting.  The education abroad portion of the course will take place over 10 days and comprise of field excursions, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and lectures.

Faculty Contact Information

Professor's Name: Dr. Mandy Munro-Stasiuk

Title: Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Geography

Email: mmunrost@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-2650

AND

Professor's Name: Dr. Scott Sheridan

Title: Interim Associate Provost, Academic Affairs and Professor of Geography

Email: ssherid1@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-3224

Eligibility

• Must be in good academic standing.

Please note that this trip will involve moderate to semi-strenuous hikes.  All students will be expected to be in good enough shape to handle short but steep uphill hikes (~ ½ mile), longer but more moderate hikes (~2 miles), and short hikes over rough terrain (~a few hundred feet).  

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence and sites are subject to changes in availability and cost.

Day 1:

• Meals included: Per airline
• Flight departs for Reykjavik

Day 2:

• Meals included: Per airline, Lunch, Dinner
• Welcome to Reykjavik! The Icelandic capital is also the world's most northern, and full of innovative wonders that rival the striking landscape all around it. Perhaps it is the natural splendor of the land that inspires a creative culture rich in literary legacy, scientific invention, and incredible design. Breathe in the famously clean air and take its inspiration home.
• Transfer to the hotel and check in
• Eat lunch as a group
• Walking City Tour of Reykjavik
  • The Reykjavik Capital Area consists of seven municipalities with approximately 200,000 inhabitants. With an abundance of space, clean air and natural green energy Reykjavik clearly revels in its reputation as being one of the most modern, forward-thinking societies in Europe. Explore the city by coach and on foot to discover the treasures of this green city. Orientation to cover Ásmundur Sveinsson, Höfði House and the University district.
• In the evening, taste the local cuisine with a group Welcome Dinner.

Day 3:

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch
• Visit to Iceland Geological Society
• Lunch as a group
• Company visit
• Remainder of the day free with dinner on own

Day 4:

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Company Visit
• City visits and/or lectures
• Remainder of the day free with dinner on own

Day 5:

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
• Lake Kleifarvatn
  • Discover the amazing geological features of Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Geopark. Drive past the Presidential residence of Bessastadir and to the town of Hafnarfjörður, situated picturesquely on an ancient lava flow. Take a coastal road to Lake Kleifarvatn, set in fascinating, stark, moon-like surroundings. Near the lake’s southern end lies Krýsuvík with powerful jets of sulfurous steam escaping from deep below the earth’s crust. Here we can view innumerable small hot springs, mud pots, boiling pools and other types of geothermal activity. Continue under low mountains along the shore, where with craggy cliffs rise sheer from the sea.
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano
  • Ever since it’s last eruption in 2023, this volcano has become a popular attraction for many Iceland travelers.
• Lunch as a group
• Blue Lagoon Visit
  • This world-renowned geothermal spa, located in Reykjavik, Iceland, is considered one of the country's top tourist attractions. The lagoon's milky-blue waters, heated by geothermal activity, are rich in minerals that are believed to have healing properties. Relax and rejuvenate in the warm waters while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
  • Enjoy the remainder of the day free with dinner on own
• *Due to the recent volcanic eruptions in this area, today’s itinerary is a tentative plan and will need to be reevaluated closer to departure.

Day 6:

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Golden Circle Tour
  • Visit Thingvellir National Park, where long deep cracks, running from the north-east to the southwest, give the landscape the appearance of a crevassed glacier. The peaks of the national park are covered by snow amongst the country's largest lake, Lake Thingvallavatn. 
  • Then continue to the Gullfoss Waterfall, perhaps the most famous place to visit in Iceland. Its waters rush down a "staircase" and into a crevice from the wide Hvítá River. Known as the Great Geysir, see the geyser (a word derived from the Icelandic verb geysa, "to gush") that is perhaps the first ever discovered by Europeans.
• Lunch as a group
• Kerid Crater
  • The last visit of the day is at Kerið, which is a red volcanic crater more than 3000 years old. Inside the crater there is a lake with unique colors.
• Coach to Stracta
• Check in to hotel
• Dinner as a group

Day 7:

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland‘s most popular waterfalls. During the summer you can walk on paths around the ribbon-like falls and hear the sounds of the water falling from the top. After, we will continue our adventure to the Valley of Þórsmörk, driving on gravel roads and passing through rivers until we reach the area of the Gods Thor’s Forest.
  • Lunch as a group
• Stakkholtsgjá Canyon
  • Located in the Southern part of the Icelandic Highlands, the Stakkholtsgjá Canyon is a truly a beauty of nature! Here you will find a magical hike that leads to a majestic waterfall.
• Dinner as a group

Day 8:

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• LAVA Center
  • The LAVA Center features an interactive exhibition exploring the art and science of geology and the volcanic systems in Iceland. Information from the past century’s eruptions demonstrate just how strong presence volcanoes have in contemporary Iceland. Feel the forces of nature as you experience an earthquake and see the Fiery Heart of Iceland, a 12m high structure simulating the Mantle plume and the magma flow underneath Iceland.
• Skogafoss Waterfall
  • Come visit one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland! You can walk right up to the 60 meter waterfall just be careful of getting wet!
• Lunch as a group
• Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike
  • Your certified and experienced glacier guide will lead you through a frozen wonderland of different shades of glacier ice. The spectacular colors of the ice can be white, blue or crystal clear. You will safely view deep crevasses and water cauldrons, along with other interesting features of the glacier. During the glacier hike, you will have plenty of photo opportunities. Additionally, your expert guide will share their wisdom about the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, their formation and how these icy giants are connected with the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. No technical skills are needed for this tour, and you will be provided with all the necessary glacier walk equipment. This is a great way to experience an Icelandic glacier.
• Coach to Skaftafell
• Check in to accommodations
• Dinner as a group

Day 9:

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
• Vatnajokull National Park
  • Today enter the southern area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. This national park is also the largest one in Western Europe. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east en-route to the Vatnajökull area.
• Visit Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where you can enjoy a breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. Nearby is the photogenic Diamond Beach. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by Vatnajökull glacier. 
• Break for lunch as a group
• Svinafellsjokull Viewpoint
  • After lunch you will drive back to Skaftafell area where you will view one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajökull. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers. 
• Dinner at hotel

Day 10:

• Svartifoss Waterfall Hike
  • Before leaving the area of Vatnajökull National Park you will visit the park’s awe-inspiring Skaftafell area, a green oasis which is set between glaciers and offers many hiking possibilities. A popular area to visit on a hike (during the summertime) is Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by dark basalt columns.
  • Lunch as a group
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  • Enjoy the day exploring this little-known area. This is part of the Katla GeoPark, a UNESCO site known for its special volcanic and glacial features. We recommend a hike in magnificent Fjaðrargljúfur, one of the most spectacular canyons in Iceland. (Please be respectful of the fragile of landscape and stick to the marked trails).
• Black Sand Beach Scenic Hike
  • Reynisfjara is the epic black sand beach that is famous for its basalt columns, lava formations, and towering sea stacks, making it one of Iceland’s ultimate must-see destinations. Reynisfjara has been ranked as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world several travel magazines.
• Coach to Reykjavik
• Check into accommodations
• Enjoy the remainder of the day free with dinner on own

Day 11:

• Meals included: Breakfast, per airline
• Flight departs for Cleveland

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and has a population of approximately 230,000 people. The city is located on the southwest coast and is a short distance from many of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions.

Transportation

Included: Flights, airport transfer to accommodations and transportation for program activities.

Not included: Transportation to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and local transportation during free time in Iceland.

Airports

Cleveland (CLE)

Keflavik Airport (KEF)

Students will stay in double or triple occupancy rooms in a hotel.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Many additional group meals will be included. Meals are specified in the itinerary.

You should plan to bring:

• Enough clothes for 10 days
• Sturdy walking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Layered clothing to allow you to adapt to both warm and cold conditions
• Small backpack for day hikes
• Water bottle
• Hat
• Gloves
• Walking sticks if you need extra stability while hiking