​​Student Voices - Reflections from the Field

Every year, students join GeoCamp Iceland to explore one of the world’s most dynamic natural classrooms. These journeys blend academic study with hands-on fieldwork, giving participants the chance to connect their learning to Iceland’s landscapes, culture, and environmental challenges.

The quotes below come directly from UW–Madison students who travelled with us in 2025. Their words capture the adventure, the challenges, and the moments of insight that shaped their time in Iceland — in their own voices.

On Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

• “It was intimidating travelling without my family for the first time and spending two weeks in a completely new place with new people, but it’s exactly what I needed.”
• “Saying yes to this program proved to me that stepping outside my comfort zone leads to growth.”

On Connecting Learning to the Landscape

• “Standing between the Eurasian and North American plates at Þingvellir made plate tectonics real in a way no textbook ever could.”
  
• “Talking with Andri Snær Magnason was like a fresh snow on a ski hill — it made new paths possible in my thinking.”
• “At deCODE Genetics, I could directly connect what we’d learned online to what they were doing in the lab. I felt prepared to ask questions about the ethics of genetic testing, and hearing their answers deepened my understanding.”

On Climate Change and Conservation

• “Seeing glaciers up close — watching them melt right before my eyes — created a reaction I didn’t expect. It was a mix of mourning and anger, and it ignited something in me.”
• “I want my grandchildren to know what it feels like to bask in nature’s glory. This trip made me realise that protecting the planet isn’t optional.”

On Wildlife Encounters

• “Seeing puffins, seals, and an arctic fox was incredible, but what made it more special was recognising what I was looking at. I knew the puffins’ bright colours meant they were in mating season, and the arctic fox’s brown-and-white coat showed it was transitioning between winter and summer.”

On Memorable Experiences

• “Hiking in Þórsmörk was one of the hardest things I’ve done physically, but making it to the top was amazing. It’s like life advice in hiking form: it’s tough, but the view makes it worth it.”
• “My favourite experience wasn’t even the waterfall itself — it was getting there. We had to jump from rock to rock to avoid getting our feet wet, and I just had a blast the whole time.”

On Icelandic Culture and Community

• “In Iceland, people trust each other in a way we don’t often see in the U.S. Police are unarmed, there’s no military, and disaster relief is run by volunteers. It’s such a different mindset — one built on community.”
• “The land gives but also takes. People here are blessed with the means to produce electricity.”

On the Value of the Group

• “Our group made every moment more meaningful. I connected with every single person, and I’ll carry those connections with me.”
• “One of my core values is gratitude, and if there’s anything I’m leaving Iceland with, it’s that.”