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Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

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Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Iceland

Exploration in the Land of the Midnight Sun

July 2 — July 15
July 20 — August 2
$8,590 + airfare

Iceland

Exploration in the Land of the Midnight Sun

July 2 — July 15
July 20 — August 2
$8,590 + airfare

Travel abroad this summer on an adventurous middle school program to Iceland, where tectonic plates burst from the earth and glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes abound. Experience the green energy infrastructure and climate leadership of Reykjavík, trek across magnificent glaciers, spot whales off the northern coast, and learn about the effects of climate change on Iceland’s landscapes as you road trip around the country’s Ring Road.

• Get up close with Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes
• Don crampons and ice picks to traverse a glacier with guides
• Visit a geothermal power station and head into the field with naturalists
• Go rock climbing, ride horseback, whale watch, and swim in hot springs
“Every day was packed full of exciting new experiences, and she came home with wonderful stories, a group of fantastic new friends and all the confidence and feelings of accomplishment a parent could hope for!”
—Randall & Peter D., Brooklyn, NY

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavík — 2 days

Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your peers and program leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Museum, or stop in at the modern cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja, whose unique architecture was inspired by the natural basalt columns found throughout the country.

The Golden Circle — 1 day

Set out on the famous Golden Circle and experience some of the country’s most iconic geysers and waterfalls up close. Get a behind-the-scenes perspective of a modern geothermal power station, which generates enormous amounts of clean energy for Reykjavík, then enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner at a local farmhouse.

The Southern Coast — 1 day

Travel along Iceland’s southern coast, and experience the stunning waterfall-studded landscape. Stop for a picnic lunch at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, go for a barefoot stroll on a black-sand beach, and take in the towering basalt columns.

Skaftafell & Höfn — 3 days

Continue east along the idyllic southern coast and spend your days in the field with expert mountain instructors. Hike in Skaftafell National Park, go trekking on Falljökull glacier, and try your hand at rock climbing at Hnappavellir, one of Iceland’s most famous climbing areas. Take in impressive views of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and watch glittering ice formations flow through this lunar landscape outside of Höfn. Explore Höfn itself, a historic fishing village perched on a peninsula surveying the outflow of five glaciers, including Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Take a dip in the town’s thermal pool or play a pick-up game of soccer or basketball with local youth at the community center.

Mývatn — 2 days

Head deep into the volcanic northern landscape to Lake Mývatn and hike on congealed lava flows from a series of massive eruptions that occurred in the late 1970s. Explore the trails along the canyon at Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, then cap the day with a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, known for their blue mineral water and black-sand floors.

Dalvík & the Far North — 2 days

Arrive in Dalvík, a charming fishing village nestled on the edge of the Troll Peninsula, bordered by majestic mountains where locals ski in the winter, and lying near to the Arctic Circle. Explore the village on foot, horseback ride on a visit to a family farm in the hills overlooking the sea, and go whale watching in Eyjafjörður. Share your independent project with your group on your final night in Dalvík.

Reykjavík — 1 day

Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland, further explore the capital’s picturesque harborside neighborhoods, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavík — 2 days

Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your peers and program leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Museum, or stop in at the modern cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja, whose unique architecture was inspired by the natural basalt columns found throughout the country.

The Golden Circle — 1 day

Set out on the famous Golden Circle and experience some of the country’s most iconic geysers and waterfalls up close. Get a behind-the-scenes perspective of a modern geothermal power station, which generates enormous amounts of clean energy for Reykjavík, then enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner at a local farmhouse.

The Southern Coast — 1 day

Travel along Iceland’s southern coast, and experience the stunning waterfall-studded landscape. Stop for a picnic lunch at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, go for a barefoot stroll on a black-sand beach, and take in the towering basalt columns.

Skaftafell & Höfn — 3 days

Continue east along the idyllic southern coast and spend your days in the field with expert mountain instructors. Hike in Skaftafell National Park, go trekking on Falljökull glacier, and try your hand at rock climbing at Hnappavellir, one of Iceland’s most famous climbing areas. Take in impressive views of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and watch glittering ice formations flow through this lunar landscape outside of Höfn. Explore Höfn itself, a historic fishing village perched on a peninsula surveying the outflow of five glaciers, including Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Take a dip in the town’s thermal pool or play a pick-up game of soccer or basketball with local youth at the community center.

Mývatn — 2 days

Head deep into the volcanic northern landscape to Lake Mývatn and hike on congealed lava flows from a series of massive eruptions that occurred in the late 1970s. Explore the trails along the canyon at Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, then cap the day with a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, known for their blue mineral water and black-sand floors.

Dalvík & the Far North — 2 days

Arrive in Dalvík, a charming fishing village nestled on the edge of the Troll Peninsula, bordered by majestic mountains where locals ski in the winter, and lying near to the Arctic Circle. Explore the village on foot, horseback ride on a visit to a family farm in the hills overlooking the sea, and go whale watching in Eyjafjörður. Share your independent project with your group on your final night in Dalvík.

Reykjavík — 1 day

Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland, further explore the capital’s picturesque harborside neighborhoods, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropMSXICEB Rebekah Willey 2
Rebekah Willey
View Bio
CropMSXICEB Felipe Ospina 3
Felipe Ospina
View Bio
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Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropMSXICEB Rebekah Willey 2
Rebekah Willey
View Bio
CropMSXICEB Felipe Ospina 3
Felipe Ospina
View Bio
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About the Destination

Located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is known for its glaciers, lava fields, geothermal pools, black-sand beaches, fjords, towering plateaus, active volcanoes, and remnants of intense glaciation from the last ice age. The national population is approximately 380,000, and the capital and cultural hub of Reykjavík on the island’s southwest coast is home to one in three Icelandic citizens. Iceland's perimeter is dotted with picturesque towns and villages that are connected by a ring road that is popular with travelers.

Language

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland; however, English is widely spoken throughout the country. A descendent of ancient Norse, Icelandic is considered one of the oldest living languages in the world, and has changed very little since it was spoken by the island’s original Nordic settlers.

Climate

We visit Iceland during their summer. The weather is cool with occasional rain showers. Daytime temperatures range from 50-60°F/10-15.5°C, while nighttime temperatures range from 45-50°F/7-10°C. Occasionally days will be warmer and temperatures will reach to 70°F/21°C.

Cuisine

We begin each day with a traditional breakfast of skyr, or rich Icelandic yogurt, and granola or oatmeal, fresh fruit, and cheeses. Fresh fish, grass-fed lamb, potatoes, root vegetables, and hearty soups with bread comprise typical Icelandic lunches and dinners.

About the Destination

Located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is known for its glaciers, lava fields, geothermal pools, black-sand beaches, fjords, towering plateaus, active volcanoes, and remnants of intense glaciation from the last ice age. The national population is approximately 380,000, and the capital and cultural hub of Reykjavík on the island’s southwest coast is home to one in three Icelandic citizens. Iceland's perimeter is dotted with picturesque towns and villages that are connected by a ring road that is popular with travelers.

Language

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland; however, English is widely spoken throughout the country. A descendent of ancient Norse, Icelandic is considered one of the oldest living languages in the world, and has changed very little since it was spoken by the island’s original Nordic settlers.

Climate

We visit Iceland during their summer. The weather is cool with occasional rain showers. Daytime temperatures range from 50-60°F/10-15.5°C, while nighttime temperatures range from 45-50°F/7-10°C. Occasionally days will be warmer and temperatures will reach to 70°F/21°C.

Cuisine

We begin each day with a traditional breakfast of skyr, or rich Icelandic yogurt, and granola or oatmeal, fresh fruit, and cheeses. Fresh fish, grass-fed lamb, potatoes, root vegetables, and hearty soups with bread comprise typical Icelandic lunches and dinners.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.

Accommodations

We stay in comfortable family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.

Meals

The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.

Accommodations

We stay in comfortable family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.

Meals

The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.

A Day in the Life: Höfn

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Höfn.
8:00am
Enjoy a traditional Icelandic breakfast at your guesthouse
9:00am
Join expert guides for glacier walking in Vatnajökull National Park
12:00pm
Picnic lunch in the field with your group
1:00pm
Participate in an introductory rock climbing workshop with professional instructors
4:00pm
Relax with a late afternoon soak in a natural thermal pool
5:00pm
Journal, work on independent projects, or play a pick-up game of frisbee
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at a local restaurant
8:00pm
Group activity and meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule

A Day in the Life:
Höfn

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Höfn.
8:00am
Enjoy a traditional Icelandic breakfast at your guesthouse
9:00am
Join expert guides for glacier walking in Vatnajökull National Park
12:00pm
Picnic lunch in the field with your group
1:00pm
Participate in an introductory rock climbing workshop with professional instructors
4:00pm
Relax with a late afternoon soak in a natural thermal pool
5:00pm
Journal, work on independent projects, or play a pick-up game of frisbee
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at a local restaurant
8:00pm
Group activity and meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“I could not have asked for a better experience and will always remember it and the people I met.”
—Jack G., Riverdale Country School, Bronx, NY
devon-swinburne

Program Directed by

Devon Swinburne

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

devon-swinburne

Program Directed by

Devon Swinburne

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

Enroll in two programs & save $1,000!

$800 tuition discount + no application fee