Over a Hundred Students Studying Icelandic
A three week course in Icelandic language and culture began yesterday at the University Centre of the Westfjords. Over a hundred students from all over Europe, North America and one even from Hong Kong arrived in Ísafjörður and Núpur yesterday to take part in the course. This is the third year that the University Centre organizes this course for the Office of International Education in Iceland. Most of the students are Erasmus and Nordplus grantees that will study at universities in Iceland the coming fall, but also students that are studying on their own accord, as well as students who will begin their study in the masters program in Coastal and Marine Management at the University Centre.
While most of the students arrived by traditional means of transportation, by plane or bus, Victor Francisco Pajuelo Madrigal, a philosophy and linguistic student from Barcelona, decided to ride his bike all the way from Reykjavík. On this twelve day trip he managed to do a lot of sightseeing including a ferry trip over Breiðarfjörður bay on the way to the Westfjords. "When I arrived in the Westfjords my bike broke and I had to lead it for 20 kilometers. People were very helpful during my entire trip, but especially here in the Westfjords." Says Victor and adds that he was even offered meals on occasions.
During the next three weeks the students will enjoy an intensive training in Icelandic with varied and up-to date teaching methods. „We strongly focus on communication skills and want our students to be able to use Icelandic in everyday life. So in the courses, class work, group work, and fieldwork are combined to give students the best learning experience and results possible", project manager Heiðrún Tryggvadóttir explains.
While most of the students arrived by traditional means of transportation, by plane or bus, Victor Francisco Pajuelo Madrigal, a philosophy and linguistic student from Barcelona, decided to ride his bike all the way from Reykjavík. On this twelve day trip he managed to do a lot of sightseeing including a ferry trip over Breiðarfjörður bay on the way to the Westfjords. "When I arrived in the Westfjords my bike broke and I had to lead it for 20 kilometers. People were very helpful during my entire trip, but especially here in the Westfjords." Says Victor and adds that he was even offered meals on occasions.
During the next three weeks the students will enjoy an intensive training in Icelandic with varied and up-to date teaching methods. „We strongly focus on communication skills and want our students to be able to use Icelandic in everyday life. So in the courses, class work, group work, and fieldwork are combined to give students the best learning experience and results possible", project manager Heiðrún Tryggvadóttir explains.
So the course is definitely not all work and no play. In order to learn more about Icelandic culture, customs and traditions, participants choose from a wide variety of electives, including fun activities like singing and dancing or a shopping rally, but also in-depth classes on Icelandic grammar, history and literature.
But the most important aspect is being immersed in the Icelandic language for such a long period of time. The past few years, the locals have been very helpful to the students by speaking Icelandic with the students. By upholding this tradition the people of Ísafjörður will be valuable co-teachers in this year's course too.
