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High School
For students currently in grades 9–12

Faroe Islands & Iceland

Exploration at the World's Edge

July 18 — August 1
$7,290 + airfare

Faroe Islands & Iceland

Exploration at the World's Edge

July 18 — August 1
$7,290 + airfare

Travel abroad this summer on an adventurous student travel program to the Faroe Islands, where puffins congregate and waterfalls tumble directly into the sea. On these 18 islands in the North Atlantic, enjoy the warm hospitality and culture of the Faroese as you explore their home by land, sea, and air. En route, spend three days among Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes.

• Hike to a lighthouse overlooking cliffside colonies of puffins
• Explore isolated islands home to more sheep and birds than people
• Get up close with Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes
• Rappel down sea cliffs and explore hidden caves
“I had so much fun and discovered how much I love traveling and experiencing new things!”
—Ella B., Carmel High School, Carmel, IN

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 leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavik, Iceland — 3 days

Arrive to Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your group and leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Explore the Settlement Museum to learn about Viking migration to Iceland and the Faroes. See the country’s famous geysers, waterfalls, and glaciers, up close and personal.

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands — 4 days

Travel to the heart of the Faroes’ 18 islands and use the capital city as your base for exploration. Walk the ninth-century streets of the Tinganes Peninsula, home to the country’s parliament. Learn about the whales, sea birds, and wildlife that flock to these islands and help the Faroese sustain a traditional way of life. Hike past puffin colonies and lighthouses, then rappel down cliffs to reach secret caves. Dive into Faroese culture through in-home dinners, cultural presentations, and meetings with local students.

Outlying Islands, Faroe Islands — 3 days

Visit some of the smallest Faroese islands, with populations in the single digits. Learn what life feels like surrounded by cliffs and ocean. Practice traditional crafts with the families that make a living here. Stay nearby at a family-run guesthouse.

Vágar, Faroe Islands — 3 days

Travel back across the country, returning along the way to Tórshavn to celebrate Ólavsøka, the country’s two-day national holiday, with boat races, parades and festivals, and singing in the streets of the capital. Continue exploring the remote corners of the Faroes, meeting locals, gathering experiences, and working on your independent project, which you’ll present to the group during a final celebration.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Tórshavn to New York via Reykjavik 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 leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavik, Iceland — 3 days

Arrive to Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your group and leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Explore the Settlement Museum to learn about Viking migration to Iceland and the Faroes. See the country’s famous geysers, waterfalls, and glaciers, up close and personal.

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands — 4 days

Travel to the heart of the Faroes’ 18 islands and use the capital city as your base for exploration. Walk the ninth-century streets of the Tinganes Peninsula, home to the country’s parliament. Learn about the whales, sea birds, and wildlife that flock to these islands and help the Faroese sustain a traditional way of life. Hike past puffin colonies and lighthouses, then rappel down cliffs to reach secret caves. Dive into Faroese culture through in-home dinners, cultural presentations, and meetings with local students.

Outlying Islands, Faroe Islands — 3 days

Visit some of the smallest Faroese islands, with populations in the single digits. Learn what life feels like surrounded by cliffs and ocean. Practice traditional crafts with the families that make a living here. Stay nearby at a family-run guesthouse.

Vágar, Faroe Islands — 3 days

Travel back across the country, returning along the way to Tórshavn to celebrate Ólavsøka, the country’s two-day national holiday, with boat races, parades and festivals, and singing in the streets of the capital. Continue exploring the remote corners of the Faroes, meeting locals, gathering experiences, and working on your independent project, which you’ll present to the group during a final celebration.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Tórshavn to New York via Reykjavik 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. 

2023_xfarb_matthew-piercy
Matt Piercy
View Bio
2023_xfarb_amanda-gastel
Amanda Gastel
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. 

2023_xfarb_matthew-piercy
Matt Piercy
View Bio
2023_xfarb_amanda-gastel
Amanda Gastel
View Bio
Loading...
About the Destination

Few places on Earth boast a terrain with more drama per square inch than the Faroe Islands. On these 18 islands in the North Atlantic, you’re never more than a few miles from the ocean, sheep outnumber human residents, and waterfalls tumble directly into the sea. Settled by Viking seafarers in the ninth century, today these islands are home to a fascinating mix of traditional culture and modern innovation.

Language

Faroese is the official language of the Faroe Islands. Closely related to Icelandic, both are rooted in Nordic languages; because of the islands’ remote location, Faroese and Icelandic have both changed little since the Viking Age. English is widely spoken in the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Climate

The Faroe Islands are rainy and cool for most of the year. In summer, expect rainy and cloudy days mixed in with some sun, with high temperatures around 50°F (10°C). The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures above freezing year round.

Cuisine

Faroese cuisine is rooted in the elements that shape this landscape: wind and salt. Fermented and preserved vegetables, fish, and meat have evolved from a way to store food for winter into a one-of-a-kind culinary tradition filled with unique flavors.

About the Destination

Few places on Earth boast a terrain with more drama per square inch than the Faroe Islands. On these 18 islands in the North Atlantic, you’re never more than a few miles from the ocean, sheep outnumber human residents, and waterfalls tumble directly into the sea. Settled by Viking seafarers in the ninth century, today these islands are home to a fascinating mix of traditional culture and modern innovation.

Language

Faroese is the official language of the Faroe Islands. Closely related to Icelandic, both are rooted in Nordic languages; because of the islands’ remote location, Faroese and Icelandic have both changed little since the Viking Age. English is widely spoken in the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Climate

The Faroe Islands are rainy and cool for most of the year. In summer, expect rainy and cloudy days mixed in with some sun, with high temperatures around 50°F (10°C). The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures above freezing year round.

Cuisine

Faroese cuisine is rooted in the elements that shape this landscape: wind and salt. Fermented and preserved vegetables, fish, and meat have evolved from a way to store food for winter into a one-of-a-kind culinary tradition filled with unique flavors.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Exploration

To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on Faroese folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, or teach your traveling companions a traditional song.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program. Life in Iceland and the Faroe Islands 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, that you are excited about trying all activities, and that you can walk up to three miles on uneven terrain.

Accommodations

We stay in comfortable hostels and hotels throughout our time in the island country.

Meals

The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic and Faroese restaurants, along with traditional in-house family-style dinners cooked by local residents.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Exploration

To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on Faroese folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, or teach your traveling companions a traditional song.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program. Life in Iceland and the Faroe Islands 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, that you are excited about trying all activities, and that you can walk up to three miles on uneven terrain.

Accommodations

We stay in comfortable hostels and hotels throughout our time in the island country.

Meals

The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic and Faroese restaurants, along with traditional in-house family-style dinners cooked by local residents.

A Day in the Life: Tórshavn​

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Tórshavn.
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
10:00am
Embark on a ferry ride to Mykines Island
11:00am
Hike to the lighthouse and puffin cliffs
12:30pm
Lay out a picnic lunch with your group
1:30pm
Return by ferry to Tórshavn
3:00pm
Go for a photo scavenger hunt through Tórshavn
5:00pm
Spend time journaling and working on projects
6:30pm
Experience Heimablíndi, a traditional dinner in a Faroese home
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule

A Day in the Life:
Tórshavn​

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Tórshavn.
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
10:00am
Embark on a ferry ride to Mykines Island
11:00am
Hike to the lighthouse and puffin cliffs
12:30pm
Lay out a picnic lunch with your group
1:30pm
Return by ferry to Tórshavn
3:00pm
Go for a photo scavenger hunt through Tórshavn
5:00pm
Spend time journaling and working on projects
6:30pm
Experience Heimablíndi, a traditional dinner in a Faroese home
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“My leaders were some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They were genuinely interested and engaged in getting to know us and experiencing the place around us.”
—Oliver R., Phillips Exeter Academy, Needham, MA
micah-sewell

This Program is Directed by

Micah Sewell

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

micah-sewell

This Program is Directed by

Micah Sewell

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

Faroe Islands & Iceland
Exploration at the World's Edge

2024 Dates
July 18 — August 1

Duration
15 days

Tuition
$7,290 + airfare

Eligibility
Currently* in grades 9–12
*Your grade as of the day you apply

Typical Group
14–16 students, 2 leaders

Group Flight
Departs from New York


 

Additional Info

Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000

 

2024 Dates
July 18 — August 1

Duration
15 days

Tuition
$7,290 + airfare


 

Eligibility
Currently* in grades 9–12
*Your grade as of the day you apply

Typical Group
14–16 students, 2 leaders

Group Flight
Departs from New York

 

Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000

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Request More Info

Alaska
Baja & the Gulf of California
Barcelona
Belize
Chile & Peru
Germany & Sweden
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Montana
Peru
Switzerland
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Cuba
Faroe Islands & Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Panama & Colombia
Patagonia: Skiing
Spain, France, & Portugal
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Spain
France
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Tuscany
Barcelona
Tokyo
Argentina
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Fiji
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Iceland
France & Holland
Italy & Greece
Spain
France
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i

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