ESJ Global Trip: Iceland: June 9-18, 2027

$5,900 – Current 9th-11th Grade Students

The purpose of this science-based trip is to introduce students to the unique and vibrant geology of Iceland and to witness firsthand the active processes of Earth formation, the regional impacts of climate change, environmental challenges, and both blue and green sustainability measures. With the oldest continuously running parliament in the world (established in 930AD), topping the World Index of Gender Equality, and the highest percentage of renewable energy use of any country in the world, there’s much more to discover than geology in this tiny island state in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.

During the trip, students will learn more about these features through daily outdoor excursions and by experiencing the local culture, which blends modernity with elves and a heritage harkening back to the Vikings. We will visit some of the youngest landmasses on Earth, witness the impact of a warmer climate on the island’s glaciers, learn about natural hazards in the Westman Islands (dubbed Pompeii of the North), hear about the Sagas that inspired both Tolkien and the Marvel movies, eat rye bread baked in the bubbling mud of the ground, and experience animal life in the form of puffins, horses, and sheep (which outnumber the humans). Amid relaxation in geothermal pools, breathtaking waterfalls, and the tranquility of unspoiled natural wonders, we will soak in a country that inspires imagination in one of the most geologically active places in the world.

Be on the lookout for more information and sign-up links coming after the Global Programs Assembly on September 18!

Marti Baugh
Iceland Program Leader
baughm@esj.org