Studying Abroad
2024 Summer: South Texas in the Land of Fire and Ice
During weeks two and three of the 2024 summer 1 semester, Drs. Erlingsson and Velez led a dozen and a half political science students on a study abroad adventure to the island nation of Iceland. Located in the North Atlantic just a hair south of the Arctic Circle, this country is home to the largest glacier in Europe (Vatnajökull, around 8100 sq.km), and technically has connections to both the North American and European continents. It has a population of about 400,000 people, two-thirds of which live in the country’s capital city, Reykjavik. Dr. Erlingsson taught POLS 4361 - Inequality and the Welfare State and Dr. Velez taught POLS 2305 - Introduction to US Federal Government & Politics.
The selection of Iceland as a destination for these two classes was intentional as Dr. Erlingsson is originally from the country and speaks the language. While having someone who speaks the language in a foreign country is not required for a study abroad program, it is certainly an asset and it was quite helpful to our group of students and faculty. Our group was only two thirds of the Iceland study abroad program as Associate Professor in the Department of Health & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Upal Roy, offered his BMED 3123 - Independent Research III course. In 2024, our group was the largest study abroad cohort at UTRGV!
In addition to the personal connection to the country, Iceland serves as a very unique contrast to American political institutions and structures. One critical point of comparison is the sheer size of the government. Though the U.S. has a population of over 330 million, our legislative branch of government is comprised of only 535 members. Using the most generous of calculations, that means that each elected member of the legislature represents slightly more than 600,000 residents. Iceland has a parliament (the Alþingi or Althing / Althingi in English translation) comprised of 63 members. That results in each MP (Member of Parliament) representing about 6,349 residents. One of the outcomes of such a small representative to resident ratio is that government tends to be very responsive to the electorate. While not perfect by any stretch, it certainly has the potential for individuals to have a more secure sense that their voices are heard in public affairs.
The instructors made a central theme in both classes the differences in public goods between the two countries. Two very direct examples are Iceland’s health system and the City of Reykjavik’s public transportation system; which both students and faculty experienced first hand. The ‘Nordic Model’ illustrated in Iceland differs significantly from the individualistic instincts represented in American society. As Dr. Erlingsson pointed out during one of the group discussions, there is more of a sense of “we’re all in this together” in the Nordic Model since it is a necessity for individuals to work together to manage a small society vulnerable to the vagaries of politics and world affairs. Visits to two different health clinics and a discussion about the difference between labor/management relations in Iceland versus the US also provided opportunities to compare and contrast the experiences of citizens of both nations.
As Iceland is home to multiple glaciers that serve as Exhibit A in the manifestation of the dangers of climate change, being physically present and able to walk on ground that had been covered by ice-capped glaciers just a couple of decades ago leaves one with the sense that the crisis must be addressed. A central part of the common experience of residents is dealing with tumultuous and at times catastrophic geological challenges. During our time there, the main road leading to one of Iceland’s most famous attractions, the Blue Lagoon Spa, had been cut off by lava flowing from the most recent volcanic eruption on the island. The southern fishing village of Grindavík has been evacuated since March this year.
It wasn’t all facts and figures, of course. Students and faculty went on two organized trips: the most popular tour, The Golden Circle, included stops at Friðheimar greenhouse, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park. The southern coast tour included stops at the southernmost city in Iceland, Vik, as well as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. That also included a stop at the famous black sand beach at Reynisfjara.
ICELAND Summer 2024 & Photos
General Information
To learn more about study abroad in general, please see the website for Global Affairs. You can also contact:
Dr. Caroline Miles
Director of Education Abroad
caroline.miles@utrgv.edu
or
Kelsey Hoon
Administrative Analyst
kelsey.hoon@utrgv.edu