Imagine actively completing goals on your bucket list at age 19; that’s basically what I have been doing! I studied abroad last semester in Torino, Italy and traveled to many cities in Italy as well as other countries throughout the world. However, Reykjavik, Iceland was also on the list of places I wanted to visit, and I was lucky enough to take the step on my traveling journey. My experience involved a semester long seminar on Folklore and Traditions at UC taught by Kevin Grace and Robin Selzer. The class was three credit hours and consisted of a study tour component from March 18th- 25th over UC's Spring Break.
Traveling to Iceland as a part of an Honors Seminar with a study component, proved to be a rather neat experience. Having the opportunity to learn about Icelandic Legends prior to our trip, yet also in Iceland was rewarding. After going on both the elf and ghost tour, I gained additional knowledge I had not previously acquired from our books. For example, although I was aware that many Icelandic people believe in elves, I did not know how strong these beliefs were. In Hafnarfjordur, our elf tour guide, Sibba Karlsdottir, explained that if a rock was unable to be moved my machinery or explosives, then it was deemed as inhabited by elves. Therefore, due to beliefs people would leave the rock untouched and would even bring in interpreters to communicate with the elves! Hearing this from an Icelander in person, further emphasized the beliefs of her culture more than a book ever could.
Iceland itself was amazing: as a class we went on an intense lava cave tour, rode horses, got to see their church, went on an elf tour, ghost tour, saw the northern lights, hiked, had a group dinner, went to the blue lagoon, saw the place where the two plate tectonics meet, met with an author of a book we read , and saw the geysers and waterfall!
In the future, with the increasing global economic environment, such awareness of other societies and their folklore will contribute beneficially to my success. All of my travels to other countries, including Iceland, have made me a better person and are an integral part of who I am today. My Icelandic experience opened my eyes to another way of life beyond Ohio. With greater awareness and understanding of folklore in other cultures, I can better understand people of culturally different backgrounds. Each new place that I visit, my global lens is sharped and made clearer.
By embracing my Iceland trip experience, I can incorporate my learning and growth in areas of my life. As an accounting and finance major with a minor in international business, I directly see the value of understanding others’ culture and traditions. Not only has my travel and study of folklore increased my knowledge and understanding of others, but it has also increased my desire to learn more! I am excited to see where my future travels will take me and hope to eventually travel the world. My goal is to continue learning about other cultures and traditions my whole life long.
Traveling to Iceland as a part of an Honors Seminar with a study component, proved to be a rather neat experience. Having the opportunity to learn about Icelandic Legends prior to our trip, yet also in Iceland was rewarding. After going on both the elf and ghost tour, I gained additional knowledge I had not previously acquired from our books. For example, although I was aware that many Icelandic people believe in elves, I did not know how strong these beliefs were. In Hafnarfjordur, our elf tour guide, Sibba Karlsdottir, explained that if a rock was unable to be moved my machinery or explosives, then it was deemed as inhabited by elves. Therefore, due to beliefs people would leave the rock untouched and would even bring in interpreters to communicate with the elves! Hearing this from an Icelander in person, further emphasized the beliefs of her culture more than a book ever could.
Iceland itself was amazing: as a class we went on an intense lava cave tour, rode horses, got to see their church, went on an elf tour, ghost tour, saw the northern lights, hiked, had a group dinner, went to the blue lagoon, saw the place where the two plate tectonics meet, met with an author of a book we read , and saw the geysers and waterfall!
In the future, with the increasing global economic environment, such awareness of other societies and their folklore will contribute beneficially to my success. All of my travels to other countries, including Iceland, have made me a better person and are an integral part of who I am today. My Icelandic experience opened my eyes to another way of life beyond Ohio. With greater awareness and understanding of folklore in other cultures, I can better understand people of culturally different backgrounds. Each new place that I visit, my global lens is sharped and made clearer.
By embracing my Iceland trip experience, I can incorporate my learning and growth in areas of my life. As an accounting and finance major with a minor in international business, I directly see the value of understanding others’ culture and traditions. Not only has my travel and study of folklore increased my knowledge and understanding of others, but it has also increased my desire to learn more! I am excited to see where my future travels will take me and hope to eventually travel the world. My goal is to continue learning about other cultures and traditions my whole life long.