What is it like to be a student or an intern at Hólar?
Whether you join as an intern student for couple of weeks or for longer studies (Master and PhD program), living in Skagafjörður or at Hólar is a unique opportunity to experience Iceland. It combines education through learning of scientific approaches, allows an immersion in nature, and the chance to take part in a close-knit community. Discover what it truly means:
Life at Hólar
Location: Hólar is a small village nestled in a picturesque region in northern Iceland. Nature is ever-present, with mountains, rivers, a forest, and breathtaking landscapes. Life here is calm and deeply connected to the natural environment. Additionally, the village is very close to stunning natural beaches, perfect for relaxing or exploring.
Whether you join as an intern student for couple of weeks or for longer studies (Master and PhD program), living in Skagafjörður or at Hólar is a unique opportunity to experience Iceland. It combines education through learning of scientific approaches, allows an immersion in nature, and the chance to take part in a close-knit community. Discover what it truly means:
Life at Hólar
Location: Hólar is a small village nestled in a picturesque region in northern Iceland. Nature is ever-present, with mountains, rivers, a forest, and breathtaking landscapes. Life here is calm and deeply connected to the natural environment. Additionally, the village is very close to stunning natural beaches, perfect for relaxing or exploring.
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Community: While Hólar is a small village, this creates opportunities to quickly form strong bonds with other students or interns, professors, and locals. You'll be part of a small community where everyone knows each other, and interactions are easy and welcoming. The university is the chore of the village, and there is a good blend of Icelanders and international staff and students.
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Outdoor Activities: Students and interns can enjoy activities such as hiking, skiing, horseback riding, or fishing. It’s an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature sports lovers. Many horses are trained and bred in the valley and they are an entire part of the landscape at Hólar. Moreover, Hólar is an excellent location for wildlife observation and photography, especially for birds, which can often be approached quite closely.
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Wellness and sports facilities: Hólar University offers an outdoor heated pool, complete with a hot tub and a cold plunge, perfect for unwinding after a day of work. Additionally, there’s a gymnasium where students and interns often play bandy, a popular variant of indoor hockey in Iceland.
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Daily Life
Housing: Students and interns live either on campus or fjord nearby. Accommodations are simple and functional, fostering a lifestyle centered around the university and its activities.
Dealing with isolation: Living at Hólar sometimes means adapting to a quieter, more solitary lifestyle away from larger cities. This presents a great opportunity to appreciate the tranquillity and beauty of living remotely. While local services are limited, the town of Sauðárkrókur, with its shopping centers and amenities, is only a 30-minute drive away.
Housing: Students and interns live either on campus or fjord nearby. Accommodations are simple and functional, fostering a lifestyle centered around the university and its activities.
Dealing with isolation: Living at Hólar sometimes means adapting to a quieter, more solitary lifestyle away from larger cities. This presents a great opportunity to appreciate the tranquillity and beauty of living remotely. While local services are limited, the town of Sauðárkrókur, with its shopping centers and amenities, is only a 30-minute drive away.
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Climate and darkness: Iceland offers a unique climate, with cold and snowy winters that include magical northern lights transforming the night sky into a spectacle of colours. Summers, on the other hand, bring long, bright days, verdant landscapes, and sunsets that seem to linger endlessly, inviting moments of pure contemplation. Darkness is mostly experienced between November and late January and an active social life and sport activities helps with this time of the year.
Sharing convivial moments: Every Friday evening, a local Beer Club offers an excellent chance to spend time with friends. This club features locally brewed beers, crafted right in Hólar by its owner, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great way to create memories and strengthen bonds within the community.
The social life of the department relies on each and every one (students, interns and staff) to be active. Here are for example some social events that have been organised passed years by staff of the department: ice fishing afternoon, Darwin’s dinner, ‘Skata’ or fermented ray festival, celebrate Iceland Independence day, summer walk.
Sharing convivial moments: Every Friday evening, a local Beer Club offers an excellent chance to spend time with friends. This club features locally brewed beers, crafted right in Hólar by its owner, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great way to create memories and strengthen bonds within the community.
The social life of the department relies on each and every one (students, interns and staff) to be active. Here are for example some social events that have been organised passed years by staff of the department: ice fishing afternoon, Darwin’s dinner, ‘Skata’ or fermented ray festival, celebrate Iceland Independence day, summer walk.
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Culture and integration
Immersion in Icelandic culture: Studying at Hólar provides the chance to closely experience Icelandic culture, its traditions, and its language. The warm welcome from Icelanders and a safe environment make the experience even more enriching.
Autonomy and organization: Hólar’s isolated setting encourages students and interns to develop strong independence and hone their organizational skills in daily life, making it a valuable life experience.
In summary, being a student or intern at Hólar University means choosing a rewarding experience in an exceptional natural setting while forming strong connections within a small but warm community. Are you ready to embrace this unique challenge?
For more information, including details on preparing for your arrival, transportation options to Hólar, healthcare services, shopping, and other amenities, as well as additional useful information, you can refer to this guide: Welcome to Hólar - Guide
Immersion in Icelandic culture: Studying at Hólar provides the chance to closely experience Icelandic culture, its traditions, and its language. The warm welcome from Icelanders and a safe environment make the experience even more enriching.
Autonomy and organization: Hólar’s isolated setting encourages students and interns to develop strong independence and hone their organizational skills in daily life, making it a valuable life experience.
In summary, being a student or intern at Hólar University means choosing a rewarding experience in an exceptional natural setting while forming strong connections within a small but warm community. Are you ready to embrace this unique challenge?
For more information, including details on preparing for your arrival, transportation options to Hólar, healthcare services, shopping, and other amenities, as well as additional useful information, you can refer to this guide: Welcome to Hólar - Guide