Background Information

Since today was a lighter day for program activities here is some background info on the Snorri Program:
Hosted by the Nordic Association and the Icelandic National League of Iceland, the Snori Program has been providing North Americans between the ages of 18-28 that are of Icelandic descent the opportunity to visit the land of their ancestors, meet living relatives, learn about the language and culture since 1999.  2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Snorri program where each year about 16 North Americans have been allowed to participate in the program.  Most of the Snorri program participants are Canadian since the majority of Icelandic emigrants settled there.  This year I am one of four participants from the US out of 17 total participants.

The general itinerary of the Snorri program is as follows:
Week 1 & 2: Icelandic language lessons as well as lectures on history, music, nature, and emigration at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.  Vising museums in Reykjavik and learning about the culture.
Week 3-5: All partcipants split up and meet up with their living relatives in different areas of Iceland, where they do a homestay for three weeks .  During this period, each participant volunteers at a local organization where their relatives live to experience a typical Icelandic youth's summer job.
Week 6: Participants gather and go on a tour of Iceland (this year we will be touring the western side of the country).
For more information on the Snorri Program visit: http://www.snorri.is/