Reykjavík - Icelandic & Environment

WORK & STUDY/PROJECT: This particular project will combine a learning/study content of the Icelandic language and of work in the capital of Iceland. Volunteers wishing to gain basic knowledge of the Icelandic language and willing to discover Reykjavík and its citizens are welcome to join this project; the focus will be given to conversational/oral competences; accompanied by formal sessions on grammar and informal ones on practical situations of real life.

The group may be divided according to the Icelandic level of the participants. Formal and non-formal learning methods will be combined with a good blend of in-room sessions and in-the-city activities to practice and improve the knowledge in different situations and circumstances of daily life.

The project will be divided into two; during the morning volunteers will have the Icelandic lessons and activities with an experienced teacher; while in the afternoon the group will be working on various different projects with the city of Reykjavík, in the public and outdoors areas.

The lessons will be given in a language school located in the centre of the city; closely located to the accommodation place and within walking distance to all major attractions of Reykjavík. The working sites will be diverse around the city and include work at the coast-line, parks and recreational areas.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay at local house located in the heart of Reykjavík and will be sleeping in bunk beds in the house.

Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Reykjavík*, the Icelandic capital, has been called Europe’s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city’s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000; a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of the capital.

The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America, is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxaflói Bay. The population of the city is about 115,000 (40% of Iceland’s population) in the metropolitan area and 180,000 (60% of Iceland’s inhabitants) including its suburbs. It is growing steadily and 45% is younger than 30 years old; 83,1% of men and women aged 16-74 are active on the labour market. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources, geothermal power and glacial rivers. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.

Visitors to Reykjavik experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.

LANGUAGE: English & Icelandic will be the languages of the camp; proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Closest bus station in town.

EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR150. SEEDS will provide volunteers with passes to access free of charge the city’s seven geothermal swimming pools and beach. Volunteers will have the chance to live at the northernmost capital in the world and one of the smallest!

* The name Reykjavík means “smoky bay”: Given by the first settlers that arrived to the area due to the high geothermal activity and the constant rise of steam out of the hot springs around.