Day 6 in Iceland was our last full day, and it ended up being one of the most memorable. In the morning, we toured Reykjavík University. It was interesting to see how the campus works and learn a little about what students in Iceland study and what university life is like there. The building itself felt very modern and open, and it was cool to imagine what it might be like to go to school in a place so close to incredible natural landscapes.
After the tour, we headed into downtown Reykjavík for lunch. We tried a tasting platter, including puffin and horse tartare. I had been joking all week about puffins, so I figured this was my chance to actually try it. I was definitely intrigued because those are not foods you usually see at home. The flavors were interesting, and it was a unique experience that I probably won’t forget anytime soon.
One of my favorite moments of the day happened near Tjörnin, the pond in the center of the city. There were so many swans and birds swimming around, and it was surprisingly peaceful right in the middle of the city. Watching them glide across the water made the whole place feel calm and beautiful.
We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city. I stopped in a shop and bought an authentic Icelandic sweater, which felt like the perfect souvenir from the trip. The traditional wool sweaters are warm, practical, and a big part of Icelandic culture.
That evening we had our goodbye dinner, and the fish was amazing, some of the best I’ve had all week. To make the night even more memorable, I even won a prize for my “unwavering dedication to puffins,” which I had been talking about all week. It was a funny and perfect way to end an incredible experience in Iceland
Aubrey M.
Swanson School of Engineering 