Iceland: Renewable Energy Innovation & Sustainability

This trip was my first time leaving the country and I went into it being the most nervous about being on the flight for 6 hours. Once you land at KEF everyone is there waiting, getting breakfast, and getting to know each other. We had a lot of long but beautiful hikes that made me really appreciate the beauty of the country and get to know everyone. A few things didn't go as planned, but regardless the guides came up with a backup plan and it worked out wonderfully. The housing accommodations were very nice, I felt safe in every location we stayed in (which is especially important being female) and the food out guesthouse and hostel served was amazing. In the end I made so many amazing friends and got to know so many new people that I still keep in touch with a month later. If you're looking for a good group of people to travel with, memories that will last a lifetime, and a beautiful country to explore, this is it! (Just make sure you pack some extra snacks for the long hikes).

Anyone who comes back from this amazing program will give you a laundry list filled with memories of amazing sites, friendships and knowledge. The staff on site and coordination within the GREEN program are fantastic. The learning environment doesn’t stop at the classroom and the passion the locals have for renewables is inspiring. Before this program I didn’t know what I wanted my career to be and had never traveled to another country alone before. Now I’ve been to 12 different countries and my career is something I can truly say I’m happy with and excited to see where it takes me. The experiences I’ve had with this group of people, staff and student alike, will be something I’ll never forget.

The GREEN Program in Iceland was awesome. So many action packed days filled with adventure, sustainable energy, and great people. I loved every second of it and would love to do another one! My time in Iceland included a glacier walk, local pool time, traditional food, fun game nights, and snorkeling in a glacial river. There were so many fun things on this trip, it's hard to name them all. They have programs in Hawaii, Japan, Peru, and elsewhere, all of which I'd like to go to!

Having only been out of the country once before (to Canada, within 2 hours from the border) I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Iceland. What I found though was the experience of a lifetime! Never have I seen such amazing sights, learned so much in 10 days, or met such incredible people. The highlights of the trip for me include hiking to a hot spring, touring several hydroelectric power plants, meeting people who share my interest in and obsession with sustainability, and embracing a culture vastly different from my own. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is ready for an adventure. Be warned that the weather is cold (yes even in summer) and very rainy. The hikes were sometimes long and with 19 hours of sunlight, so were the days. But, if you’re ready to experience something new and put yourself outside of your comfort zone while seeing the most beautiful scenes in the world, then this is the trip for you!

The Green Program is an experience that I would recommend to anyone and everyone wanting to learn and grow while travelling in a completely new way. It combines aspects of the industry being studied while also getting to experience the culture and diversity of the country not normally available when travelled in a regular manner. Iceland is the most beautiful place and The Green Program made is that much more amazing. It sparked more interest in the field of sustainability as a further career pursuit and helped me find my passion.

My experience on the GREEN program was amazing and one I will never forget. I met so many wonderful people and got to learn a lot about sustainability while also experiencing the Icelandic culture and doing adventurous things that I could only imagine. I think it was the perfect blend of educational and fun.

Ultimately my experience led me to continuing toward my goal of a sustainable career by coming back to Iceland and completing my masters here. Had I not gone on the GREEN program, I would not be where I am today.

I highly recommend the program to anyone interested in sustainability.

This trip definitely provided me with some of the best days of my life, it was truly a life-changing experience. Firstly, because Iceland is such a breath-taking and incredible country. The support for sustainability and renewable energy in the country is noticeable and is something I hope to find everywhere in the near future. Secondly, because the adventures we went on were not only fun but at times, they could be challenging and pushed you to keep going even when you weren't sure if you could! Additionally, the classroom was engaging, and the material that was learned was completely relevant to the trip and was useful information that can be applied to future endeavors. I loved TGP and hope that I can go on another adventure with them sometime in the near future!

The GREEN Program is the perfect mix of exploration and adventure/education and promotion of renewable energy. On the program we hiked mountains and glaciers, drove through the rocky countryside in superjeeps, and learned about geothermal, hydroelectric, and biofuel energy sources. The trip guides were some of the nicest and most down to Earth people I have ever met! They took us to some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Words and pictures cannot do Iceland justice, it is something you must see and do for yourself. The food we were served and the places we stayed were excellent! Some of my favorite memories were hiking to a hot spring on top of a mountain and watching the Northern Lights while relaxing in a hot tub outside in the freezing cold. The GREEN Program was an amazing adventure and an excellent first trip abroad for me. I am more passionate about working in the renewable energy field after taking this trip and I recommend it to anyone.