Iceland and Sweden
Faculty: Nicole Enzinger and Marissa Dickison
Class meeting time: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Trip Dates: May, 2025
Highlights
We welcome you to experience the natural beauty and culture of Scandinavia! Our academic focus for this course is environmental appreciation and care. We will facilitate learning about peace, justice, and reconciliation through the lens of environmental science and sustainability.
In Iceland, we will explore unique geography and ecosystems as we relax in geothermal hot springs, hike to waterfalls, kayak in a glacier lagoon, visit a volcanic black sand beach, and snorkel between two continents. As we go, there will be opportunities to appreciate Icelandic flora and fauna, including puffin colonies. We will learn about Icelandic culture and history by sampling local seafood markets and restaurants, exploring the cities of Reykjavík and Selfoss, and visiting museums that feature Viking ships, archeological sites, geothermal power, and more.
In Sweden, we will slow down in the midst of urban Sweden, exploring the cities Göteborg and Stockholm. We will learn about the Scandinavian philosophies of lagom (“just the right amount”), hygge (“contentedness”), and njuta (“enjoyment”) as we explore Swedish lifestyles and sustainability. We will spend time visiting museums, cathedrals, and the Royal Palace in Stockholm, with opportunities to go hiking, roller skiing, and enjoy a floating sauna.
Our classroom component will have an assortment of activities that will prepare us for the upcoming travel. We will appreciate Iceland and Sweden even more as we lean into lagom, hygge, and njuta prior to and during the trip. Furthermore, Iceland and Sweden are countries known for sustainability with rich spaces for exploring environmental science through a lens of care. Our course will also include a field trip to the Nordic museum in Portland and to the Scandinavian troll sculptures in our area, which are sustainable art. We will also learn about Scandinavian practices in sustainability (e.g., we will have the opportunity to learn how to knit and explore ideas like slow fashion). We will engage in discussion about arctic ice melting data and ecology for exploring ways we can positively impact the environment.
Tentative Itinerary
| Day 1 | Portland, Oregon → Reykjavik, Iceland: Explore city center |
| Day 2 | Reykjavik, Iceland:
The Settlement Exhibition (viking ruins and museum) Hellisheidi Geothermal Energy Exhibition Blue Lagoon &/or Sky Lagoon |
| Day 3 | Akranes or Reykjavik, Iceland:
Glymur waterfalls hike Folk museum or War and Peace museum Guolaug natural pool Seafood, fish markets/restaurants |
| Day 4 | Selfoss or Fludir, Iceland:
Golden Circle Thingvellir National Park Silfra Fissure between two continents - option to snorkel or hike |
| Day 5 | Selfoss or Fludir, Iceland:
Gulfoss waterfall Geysir geothermal area Ljosafoss power station museum Skalholt cathedral Raufarholshellir lava tunnel tour Selfoss Centre- restaurants & shopping |
| Day 6 | Vik, Iceland:
Selijalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss waterfalls Reynisfjara beach & Black Sand Beach Dyrholaey - rocky arch & puffin colony Vestmannaeyjabaer (Heimaey island) puffins, town, volcano Solheimajokull glacier walk/ or hike through tour Skagofoss |
| Day 7 | Skaftafell, Iceland: Skaftafell glacier hike |
| Day 8 | Skaftafell, Iceland:
Diamond beach Svartifoss waterfall Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, optional kayak |
| Day 9 | Reykjavik, Iceland to Stockholm, Sweden: Travel day from Iceland to Sweden |
| Day 10 | Stockholm, Sweden:
City Hall Gamla Stan The Vasa Museum Nobel Prize Museum |
| Day 11 | Stockholm, Sweden:
Free Day to explore Stockholm (pick a museum or activity on Stockholm city pass) Dinner with Swedish friends of Nicole |
| Day 12 | Stockholm, Sweden: Visit Djurgården and can be easily reached by taking the computer ferry from Gamla Stan |
| Day 13 | Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm City Kayak Tour |
| Day 14 | Stockholm, Sweden:
Royal Palace Stockholm Cathedral |
| Day 15 | Travel from Stockholm, Sweden to Gothenburg, Sweden:
Travel Day Explore Gothenburg on our own upon arrival |
| Day 16 | Gothenburg + West Coast, Sweden:
Natural History Museum Free afternoon Explore Feskekörka and group dinner |
| Day 17 | Gothenburg + West Coast, Sweden:
½ day walking tour of Gothenburg Evening party with Swedish friends |
| Day 18 | Gothenburg, Sweden → Portland, Oregon |
