This is an environmental studies program based out of the first eco-village in the world, Solheimar. We lived in the guest house of the community with our two instructors from the U.S. and participated in the daily functioning of the tightknit community-- where half of the residents had special needs.
Based on tenets of systems thinking, the educational model of CELL is to get out from behind a computer screen or book and in to an experience that will teach you immeasurably more. The readings are less rigorous than what I was used to, but probably more rigorous than many other study abroad programs. However most of the learning is discussion based and I learned much more from the experiences and expertise of my peers (only 9 others on the program), making it incredibly engaging every single day. We also met with important environmental figures in Iceland including a member of parliament, a former government employee turned activist, a member of an environmental NGO, the director of the soil conservation service, and many more. We learned about geothermal and hydroelectric energy by actually going and seeing how they work. We learned about agricultural practices by, again, going to visit farmers or varying sizes and magnitudes.
We learned how important a community is for creating a sustainable future by being a part of a community that promoted trust and acceptance, and celebration! We saw northern lights, swam in hot springs, and experienced some of the most beautiful places I've ever been. And finally we experienced how empowering it is to make individual change in our own lives as we work more broadly for policy action on climate change, or study ocean acidification, or work for NGOs strengthening local food systems. A self proclaimed bacon addict turned into a vegetarian, and one of my most trusted confidants. There is something that cannot be described about the sense of community that was built in such a short amount of time. And that is something that I will never forget.
What would you improve about this program?
As with anything sustainability related, there can always be greater measures taken to be sustainable. The community we lived in, Solheimar, was n the right track, but was not as sustainable as I thought hey would be going into it.
Also the readings could have been more complex and nuanced to fuel our discussions.
It should be longer and with a few day backpacking trip included!
