Why did you decide to volunteer with VFP in Iceland?
Emily: I decided to volunteer with VFP because I thought it would be an interesting and very affordable way to travel. I wanted to experience the touristy things, but I also wanted a glimpse into the life of the people that lived in the country, and working for a local was definitely a good way to experience that.
What made this experience unique and special?
Emily: I think with any trip, the people you are with really make the experience. I was able to meet so many great people from different countries and walks of life, it really made visiting Iceland a lot more special.
Also, I went to Iceland with a very limited knowledge of the country, and was so surprised to see that so many of the things I read were true about their culutre and how safe of a country it really was.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Emily: Now that I have met so many wonderful people, I'm going to have a very difficult time deciding where I want to go next year! There are so many great people and so many interesting things I learned about from Europeans and Asians, it's been truly enlightening. Also, I learned so much about different perspectives, history and culture, it was more than I could have learned form a book. It also made me appreciate what we have in America.
While Iceland was beautiful, after two weeks I was ready to come home to my own apartment and see some trees! (there are almost none in the west fjords). I think it has helped me appreciate some of the differences geographically, in climate and in culture between what I have grown up with as well as what I experienced by spending time there.
Highlights: This was my first time in Europe. I found our international evening to be incredibly informative, particularly since some of the countries represented I had no prior knowledge of beyond their existing. It was also interesting to go on a walking tour of Reykjavik and learn about the country's history and culture as well as what the people were like, their language, culture, etc.
Overall, my favorite experience was the whole of West Fjords, our host provided us with so much history, introduced us to several locals, and I felt we really got a good depiction of what life was like for someone who lived in the region. The landscape was so beautiful, and we were able to just look outside our window and see whales and seals swimming by. It was completely unlike anything I had witnessed before.
Morning: SA: By 9a we would be expected to have eaten breakfast and be prepared to work. Our responsibilities were to clean each room that had been used the night before in the guest house (changing bedding, cleaning sinks, vaccuuming), provide room service to guests staying more than one night, and clean all bathrooms. Check out was at noon, so work typically wrapped up by 1:30.
WF: In the morning we were split into two teams for breakfast, if you made breakfast then you had to be up in time for it to be on the table by 9, if not, you could sleep in, shower etc. After breakfast, those who went to the mountain to collect berries made their lunches and prepared for their trip. They were generally dropped off between 10 and 11. Those that were in the house for the day began the routine of typical chores, cleaning the kitchen, dishes, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping, etc. Then our host would provide the assignments for the day.
Afternoon: SA: once work was completed, we were free to do as we pleased. The two excursions that we were able to over half of a day was go to Hveragerdi (the hot river), and the Blue Lagoon. On the other days that I was there, we explored Reykjavik's local attractions.
WF: Those that were on the mountain would be gathering for about 5-6 hours. Those inside the house were usually in the kitchen, serving clients, or helping our host with whatever needed to be done. Sometimes this involved making bread, preparing dinner, making jam, or even helping make skin treatments to be sold at the house.
Evening: SA: In the evenings, we had dinner around 6 or 7, which we prepared ourselves, then had group activities or went off on our own. The guest house provided us with free internet access, so sometime was spent catching up with family, friends etc.
WF: Dinner was usually around 7. After dinner, dishes were done and then we decided as a group what to do. On some evenings we went for a walk/hike, picking a direction and going until it was dark. Other times our leader would plan activities for us, such as sherades, watching movies, cards, etc. We tried to spend as much time as a group as possible.