Travel to Iceland to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

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Intro: life and experiences in Iceland


Backpacking or traveling in Iceland?

  • The land of volcanoes and fairies, a cozy city and unspoiled plains. A country that you don't know if you can handle and where you feel the violence of nature constantly. That is Iceland, a great travel destination for the true adventurer. 
  • The country lends itself to backpackers and other types of travelers alike, although it is quite expensive. Still, there are ways to make it cheaper as a backpacker, such as by wild camping (yes you can!), biking around and hitchhiking. 
  • Activity spotting: well, do you have a minute? Start in Reykjavik and explore the city and bars at your own pace, go on a whale or puffin trip in Faxafloi Bay, discover Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area and the impressive Gullfoss waterfall and don't skip the lesser known Kerid Crater Lake! On the south coast you'll find even more beautiful waterfalls like Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the Reynisfjara black beach and the volcano Eyjafjallajokull (yes, get used to tricky names) that erupted in 2010 and so much more! And don't forget to spot the Northern Lights and blue ice caves in winter. 

Studying in Iceland?

  • Education in Iceland is pretty good. Interesting study subjects in Iceland are art, natural sciences, cultural studies, environmental studies, computer science and renewable energy. 
  • Study cities: Reykjavik.
  • Study culture: in addition to good education, you can also have a fun social and active life. For example, there is a tradition of visiting a local organization or place on a science trip “vísindaferð” every Friday.
  • Language: Icelandic, with limited offerings in English (mostly at Master's level). 

Internship in Iceland?

  • In Iceland you will find mostly internships in the fields of conservation and nature research (e.g. geology and volcanology, marine biology), renewable energy, ecotourism/adventure tourism and the arts.
  • Competencies: ecological awareness, knowledge of sustainable innovation, scientific research skills, community orientation, inclusiveness, active promotion of gender equality. 

Volunteering in Iceland?

  • Volunteering in Iceland is mainly focused on sustainability. Examples include volunteering in sustainable/geothermal agriculture, volunteering in eco-villages, conservation work and education. You can also find volunteer work through individuals who need extra hands. 

Working in Iceland?

  • For those who like gender equality in the workplace (and who doesn't want that), Iceland is ideal.
  • A summer job is quickly found if you speak English. Think about work in restaurants, bars, hotels during peak tourist season. You can also work as an au pair or on a farm. 
  • For a more permanent job, you can actually look anywhere, especially as a European. Big sectors are tourism, financial services, renewable energy, IT, fishing, research, but for example, the gaming industry is also booming. And for women, it is the land of gender equality, which is also refreshing at times. 
  • Work culture: start and end meetings with a firm handshake. Be aware that there is little hierarchy and that equal treatment, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, is hugely important. In addition, honesty, openness and clarity are highly valued. 

Working as a digital nomad in Iceland?

  • It is one of the safest countries, with one of the best Internet connections in the world and a very high quality of life. So the amenities and adventure will not be lacking. The only downsides are that it does get pretty expensive (but you get something in return) and it's not easy to just visit another country. 
  • Favorite locations: Reykjavik, Akureyri, Isafjordur.

Living in Iceland?

  • Living in one of the happiest, gender-equal and safest countries in the world, that's not wrong. Iceland has an enormous amount to offer and the quality of life is very high. People are friendly, adventurous, and the work-life balance leaves little to be desired. 
  • Health care is high quality and there is a good public health care system for residents of Iceland. Make sure you have your own well-covered health insurance.
  • Still, there are things to consider including the limited daylight in winter, the enormously high cost of basically everything, the lack of good public transportation, and that it can be quite difficult to make friends.
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Toeristenvisum Er is geen toeristenvisum nodig voor IJsland. Je kunt langer blijven als je op zoek bent naar werk en jezelf daarna registreert als inwoner van IJsland. Een return ticket is niet verplicht, maar het kan zijn dat de vliegmaatschappij er om vraagt. Werkvisum Je hebt als Nederlander geen...

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Toeristenvisum Er is geen toeristenvisum nodig voor IJsland. Je kunt langer blijven als je op zoek bent naar werk en jezelf daarna registreert als inwoner van IJsland. Een return ticket is niet verplicht, maar het kan zijn dat de vliegmaatschappij er om vraagt. Werkvisum Je hebt als Nederlander geen...

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Toeristenvisum Er is geen toeristenvisum nodig voor IJsland. Je kunt langer blijven als je op zoek bent naar werk en jezelf daarna registreert als inwoner van IJsland. Een return ticket is niet verplicht, maar het kan zijn dat de vliegmaatschappij er om vraagt. Werkvisum Je hebt als Nederlander geen...

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