From the moment we got off the plane this morning, I have been excited about what’s to come and all the sights we had set for our busy day ahead. But before I could fully engage in Icelandic culture and experience, I had to have one final taste of home for the week: my Starbucks lemon loaf saved from our layover in Boston. Now, I was ready to take on the day! Although wind, snow, and sleet are not the typical spring break appeal, there is so much more than I imagined as we quickly began to see the sights on the bus. The land is so unique compared to anything I have seen, the volcanic formations and snowy mountain landscapes are something I’ll never forget. Our trip to the geothermal power plant lived up to every expectation, and it was eye-opening to learn about how the land of Iceland coincides with the choices they make to make sustainable decisions for their ecosystem.
The day also involved plenty of much-needed downtime, with a quiet, nap-filled bus ride through the quiet streets of Iceland. As the day went on, I was happy to have discovered some new Icelandic treats as well a bag of mini M&M’s—a familiar favorite but a perfect little taste of home. Today’s first snack pitstop was a delicious introduction to Iceland’s distinctive culture but still made me feel close to home. All in all, my first day in Iceland gave me a great first impression of new sights, eats, and education, and I can’t wait to see what the week holds!
Swanson School of Engineering 