What attracts students to register for the summer courses in Icelandic at the University Centre is for the most part the life in Ísafjörður. It is possible to learn Icelandic in many places around the world, and on the Internet, but nothing compares with experiencing the language in a small town during the Icelandic summer.

Immediately after the first morning in classes, students go for a walk around downtown Ísafjörður, the so called City Walk. Luckily, in the big little city of Ísafjörður, all the relevant places to know are like pearls on a string: The harbor with the boats for Vigur Island and Hornstrandir nature reserve, the cafés, the bakeries, the restaurants and shops, the church and the library. During the City Walk students were also told about some historical places along the way such as the old Danish trading centers at Neðsti kaupstaður and Hæsti kaupstaður along with a bit of exploring the backstreets of the old town of Ísafjörður.

The City Walk ended at Hamrar Music Hall of the Ísafjörðru Music School, where music teacher Bjarney Ingibjörg Gunnlaugsdóttir welcomed the group for the choir, or, rather, the chorus, as singing in the choir is part of the pronunciation teaching. Students will most likely hum the melodies learned this afternoon for the rest of their lives.