ISLAND - REYKJAVIK
My exchange semester in Iceland is coming to an end and I wouldn't have thought how much things would change for me. I find it quite fascinating to analyse how my understanding of the unknown developed during my stay abroad, from the breathtaking landscapes to the introverted but friendly locals. Every part of this semester abroad has made me see things in a whole new light and somehow changed my world.
Living and traveling all by myself for so long was a big deal. I mean, back home in Liechtenstein, it was all about family and friends. Here it was like jumping in at the deep end, which is what I actually wanted, to leave my comfort zone. As I was on my own, I had to deal with things that were new to me, such as doing all the administrative stuff in English or asking some questions. At home, you usually have friends you can ask quickly or your family, but it's different when you're alone abroad. Furthermore, you now have to do everything yourself, from cooking to laundry. This is nothing new, but it takes more time than usual. Nevertheless, I was happy to make new friends with whom I get on really well and who were practically my family here.
Sundays in Iceland were very different from those in my region. In my Region Sundays are like rest days, most shops are closed. Exceptions are cafes or restaurants, shopping on a Sunday is not possible. But here it's as if the whole city comes to life, the shops are open, people are bustling around, and a day of rest becomes a day of activity. I thought it was great right from the start, as you could do all your purchases on a Sunday. So, occasionally, we went into town on Sunday or did our weekly grocery shopping.
The days and nights here are something else. In summer, it feels like the sun never wants to go down. In August, the sun rose at 5 am and set at 11 pm. Adjusting my internal clock to the midnight sun was a real task, but I learned to appreciate the crazy mix of light and dark. In winter, on the other hand, it was all about enjoying the few hours of sunshine. The sun rose at 11 in the morning and set again at 3 in the afternoon. I could feel myself getting more and more tired as the days got shorter, but you just have to adapt and take vitamin D.
What I wasn't used to was the weather. In the summer, we had around 18 degrees, and in the winter around -7 to 5 degrees. You quickly get used to the temperatures, and I wore my autumn jacket until the end. The only thing you have to get used to is the cold wind. Often the temperatures weren't that cold, but the fresh and cold wind made it feel much cooler than it actually is. Because of the wind, even light rain showers feel more intense, and you really should have a good wind and rainproof jacket, but as I said, with the right clothing, any weather condition is fine.
As I prepare to say goodbye to Iceland, I'm not just taking home breathtaking landscapes and friendly faces. I take home unforgettable moments, friendships, and lots of photos. I spent a lot of time with my flatmates, laughing, talking, and drinking. The last 4.5 months have been a wonderful adventure that I never thought would be so beautiful. I had to adapt to various circumstances and learned to be more independent.