Iceland
Fire, ice, glaciers, and sustainability labs in one tiny island nation.
Living in Iceland
Confirm the fundamentals before you book a flight: monthly costs, neighborhoods to live in, academic culture, and weekend escapes.
Monthly budget
€1,400–€1,700
Language
Icelandic
Visa
Residence permit required. Start paperwork 12+ weeks in advance.
Program lengths
Semester • Summer
Neighborhood Vibe Check
Where our contributors actually lived and why it worked for classes, cafés, and late-night snacks.
- • Reykjavík 101
- • Vesturbær
Weekend Essentials
48-hour itineraries and day trips that fit between classes.
- • Golden Circle day trip
- • Snæfellsnes peninsula trek
- • Faroe Islands hop
Academic Notes
What the syllabi look like, grading culture, and campus resources.
- • Sustainability and environmental science programs are world-leading.
Must-do experiences
The moments that made our contributors feel like locals. Drop these into your first-week bucket list.
- • Ring Road camper van loop
- • Blue Lagoon sunrise soak
- • Northern lights photography
Guides & stories
Dispatches from Iceland
7 min read • Sep 2025
Weekend Trips in Iceland: A Student’s Guide to Exploring the Land of Fire and Ice
From waterfalls to volcanoes, Iceland is made for adventure. Here are the best weekend trips students can take from Reykjavik.
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8 min read • Sep 2025
Iceland on a Student Budget: How to Survive the World’s Most Expensive Country
Iceland is expensive, but with the right strategies, students can stretch their budget and still enjoy the adventure.
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8 min read • Sep 2025
Top Universities in Iceland with Study Abroad Programs
Interested in studying in Iceland? Here are the universities that welcome international students and partner with global study abroad programs.
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9 min read • Sep 2025
Reykjavik Study Abroad Survival Guide: What Every Student Should Know
From managing Iceland’s high costs to enjoying its unique culture, here’s the ultimate student survival guide to studying in Reykjavik.
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7 min read • Sep 2025
What It’s Really Like to Study Abroad in Iceland
Iceland is remote, beautiful, and unique. Here’s the reality of student life for those studying abroad in Reykjavik or beyond.
Read guide →Thermal pools
€10 entry
Average daylight
4h in December