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
• 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
Expert
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.
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.
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.
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.
Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.
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.
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
A Day in the Life:
Iceland
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
This Program is Directed by
Micah Sewell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
This Program is Directed by
Micah Sewell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!