Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Iceland
Climate Science & Carbon Capture
With receding glaciers, increasing ocean acidification, and a commitment to renewable energy, Iceland is both experiencing the ongoing impacts of climate change and sitting at the cutting edge of the development of new ideas and innovative solutions. This summer, dive into climate issues and climate science with professionals in the field. Along the way, experience the wonders of Iceland: trek on glaciers, soak in thermal pools, and hike to soaring waterfalls. Return home with a better understanding of atmospheric carbon, carbon capture technologies, and the career possibilities in renewable energy, power distributions, environmental policy, and more.
- Highlights
• Go behind the scenes with geologists at a geothermal power plant
• Straddle two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park
• Scout for puffins, whales, and seals as you kayak through pristine waters
• Learn directly from geoengineers, volcanologists, glaciologists, and foresters
• Straddle two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park
• Scout for puffins, whales, and seals as you kayak through pristine waters
• Learn directly from geoengineers, volcanologists, glaciologists, and foresters
“He had an incredible time, and was thrilled to be with so many like-minded students learning various aspects of climate change.”
—Tracy T., Boulder, CO
Featured
Expert
An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
Shaina Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York and the Assistant Director of Columbia’s Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy. Shaina and her research group investigate and...
Shaina Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia University...
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 high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavik & The Golden Circle — 4 days
Begin your program in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, with an in-depth program orientation and get to know your fellow travelers and group leaders. Explore Reykjavík’s eclectic cafes, and visit the ruins of a Viking household excavated downtown. Then head east into the interior highlands and travel the iconic Golden Circle. Go behind the scenes with geologists at the Hellisheidi Power Plant to learn how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy for sustainable living. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, walk between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, and witness the steaming eruptions at Geysir.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 5 days
Continue your journey north, make a hiking pit stop at Glymur, one of the country’s highest waterfalls, then explore the black-sand beaches of Djupalon and Dritvik to learn the stories of the ancient lifting stones. Kayak past famous Mt. Kirkjufell, then don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snaefellsjokull glacier with expert guides. Compare this terrain to the nearby site of Iceland’s first “extinct” glacier, and learn why Icelanders foresee a future in which all glaciers might follow this path. As you experience these landscapes up close, continue to dive deeper in discussions on the capabilities, challenges, and ever-improving technologies to capture and store atmospheric carbon.
Reykjavik — 2 days
Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavik 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 high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavik & The Golden Circle — 4 days
Begin your program in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, with an in-depth program orientation and get to know your fellow travelers and group leaders. Explore Reykjavík’s eclectic cafes, and visit the ruins of a Viking household excavated downtown. Then head east into the interior highlands and travel the iconic Golden Circle. Go behind the scenes with geologists at the Hellisheidi Power Plant to learn how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy for sustainable living. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, walk between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, and witness the steaming eruptions at Geysir.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 5 days
Continue your journey north, make a hiking pit stop at Glymur, one of the country’s highest waterfalls, then explore the black-sand beaches of Djupalon and Dritvik to learn the stories of the ancient lifting stones. Kayak past famous Mt. Kirkjufell, then don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snaefellsjokull glacier with expert guides. Compare this terrain to the nearby site of Iceland’s first “extinct” glacier, and learn why Icelanders foresee a future in which all glaciers might follow this path. As you experience these landscapes up close, continue to dive deeper in discussions on the capabilities, challenges, and ever-improving technologies to capture and store atmospheric carbon.
Reykjavik — 2 days
Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavik 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.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme
Whether your goal is to pursue a career in climate science, renewable energy, environmental science, engineering, or climate communications, this summer program provides opportunities to dive deep into issues of climate change and the evolving technologies of carbon capture. Learn about how climate continues to impact the landscapes and communities of Iceland; get a firsthand look at Iceland’s renewable energy capabilities, and discuss with scientists and experts the opportunities and challenges of carbon capture and storage as a response to climate impacts.
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.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
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
Students stay in doubles to quadruples in a mix of hostels and small, family-run guesthouses. Leaders have singles in the same locations as students. Breakfasts are often taken on-site, with lunches and dinners out in cafes and restaurants.
Meals
We eat meals either at our accommodations, on-the-go during our daily excursions, or at local restaurants. Oftentimes, we form cooking and cleaning crews to help with meal preparations and cleanup.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme
Whether your goal is to pursue a career in climate science, renewable energy, environmental science, engineering, or climate communications, this summer program provides opportunities to dive deep into issues of climate change and the evolving technologies of carbon capture. Learn about how climate continues to impact the landscapes and communities of Iceland; get a firsthand look at Iceland’s renewable energy capabilities, and discuss with scientists and experts the opportunities and challenges of carbon capture and storage as a response to climate impacts.
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.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
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
Students stay in doubles to quadruples in a mix of hostels and small, family-run guesthouses. Leaders have singles in the same locations as students. Breakfasts are often taken on-site, with lunches and dinners out in cafes and restaurants.
Meals
We eat meals either at our accommodations, on-the-go during our daily excursions, or at local restaurants. Oftentimes, we form cooking and cleaning crews to help with meal preparations and cleanup.
A Day in the Life: Iceland
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Iceland.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Discuss Iceland’s approach to renewable energy development with your expert
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on capstone projects, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally-heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Iceland
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Iceland.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Discuss Iceland’s approach to renewable energy development with your expert
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on capstone projects, or relax
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally-heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“This program elevated his understanding for a variety of issues, from science to global policies, that impact where the world heads with climate change. His eyes opened up even more, he came home fired up, inspired, and ready to make more changes happen! As parents, what more can we ask for?”
—Sandra L, Moraga, CA
Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
