ICELAND
Created by Sophia Ford
November 2011
University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands)
• 14,000 students
• Over 25 departments within the colleges of:
•Education
•Engineering and Natural Sciences
•Health Sciences
•Humanities
•Social Sciences
• Wide variety of courses taught in English from
• Campus located in central Reykjavik
• Grades usually comprise of a final exam (~80% of final
grade) and a project/presentation. Majority of grade
depends on your performance on the final exam and
homework does not make up as much of your grade as
it does in the U.S.
• School website: www.hi.is
Living on campus
 Non-Europeans are given preference to on
campus housing. You will likely live in Gamlí
Gar∂ur.
 In 2011, living in Gamlí Gar∂ur cost around
$350 a month.
 Rooms are private and include a sink.
Showers and toilets are communal. Linens
are provided.
 Kitchens are located on each floor of Gamlí.
A limited supply of kitchen utensils are
provided, you will to learn to be creative with
what you have.
 Free washer and dryers are located in Gamli
Gamlí Gar∂ur
 Be patient when you arrive to Iceland. Internet took well over a week to get
working and things were very laid back and slow.
 Check in to the Háskolatorg (student union) main office when you arrive to
fill out paperwork and get student ID.
 Go to the directorate of immigration to sign necessary paperwork. After
that, they will send your student permit to Gamlí Gar∂ur.
 Check the directorate of immigration website for the requirements in order
to get a student permit. They often change their requirements without
informing the University.
 Grocery stores and liquor stores close early
(usually around 6pm).
 Iceland is a very safe country. Hitchhiking
is very common and quite fun!
Currency
 Currency is Icelandic Kronur. Check http://www.landsbankinn.is/ for
updated conversions.
 You may have to open up an Icelandic bank account. You can either
wire money to the account or withdraw from an ATM and deposit.
Most people used Landsbanki. Checking accounts are free for
students, but make sure to close out the account before you leave.
 Most places accept Visa and Mastercard. Check with your bank for
their fees for international transactions.
Reykjavík
Useful tips and websites
 To get to and from the airport, buy round trip tickets from www.flybus.is. Gamlí Gar∂ur is
walking distance from the Fly Bus final bus stop.
 Basically everything is within walking distance from the University. If you have to resort to
bus, www.straeto.is will come in very handy.
 http://ja.is/hradleit/ is an excellent website to use as a map and to find phone numbers.
 I recommend getting a phone with NOVA. Most students use NOVA and texts and calls are
free as long as they are NOVA customers. You can pay for a cheap phone there (~$40) or
bring a phone and use a NOVA SIM card. You can add minutes to your phone at any time.
 The cheapest, closest and most limited grocery is Bónus.
It’s easily recognizable by a beat up looking pig. 
 Majority of people you will meet will speak English.
 Street signs and bus routes are in Icelandic.
Highlights
Trips around countryside: rent a car and get away for the weekend.
Swimming pools: swimming is a huge part of Icelandic culture. Swimming pools are
located all over Iceland. The best spots to relax are natural geothermal pools.
Blue Lagoon: Outdoor pool that is runoff from a geothermal power plant. Relaxing and
picturesque
Skyr: Similar to Greek yogurt, but technically a soft cheese. High in protein and very tasty.
Iceland Airwaves (Fall) & Concerts at Faktory
Don’t leave without Icelandic wool. You will notice everyone wearing wool gloves and
sweaters.
Suggested packing list
Water proof clothing– pants and hooded jacket. The
weather in Iceland is even more unpredictable than
Kansas. When it rains, it rains horizontally (no
umbrellas!)
Water proof hiking boots- preferably covering ankle
Thermal underwear
Bathing suit
Clothes for 2-3 weeks
Gloves
Towels
Camera
Electric converters- the voltage is 220V and frequency
is 50Hz
Take advantage of the duty free shop when you land in
Iceland. Prices there are considerably cheaper than
anywhere else in Iceland
Enjoy your stay and travel around Iceland as much as possible. It’s an incredibly
beautiful and peaceful island. Take a ferry to Westman Islands. Cheap rental car
company is SadCars (www.sadcars.com).
If you feel the need to explore outside of Iceland, use Iceland Air or Iceland Express.
Iceland Express offers “Ice Breakers”, which are cheap last minute flights.