Completing a degree in Leisure Studies taught me a lot about myself

“To be honest I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to study but I just knew that I didn’t want to sit in front of a computer for the rest of my life. I wanted to work with and be around people,” says Bergdís Fanney Einarsdóttir who graduated this February from the University of Iceland with a BA in Leisure Studies. Like many other prospective students, Bergdís wasn’t sure about what she wanted to study and therefore decided to speak with a student counsellor at the university. After doing a little research she decided that a degree in Leisure Studies would be the right fit for her. Bergdís says that she liked how open and versatile the degree would be: “It was a good fit for me because I was rather undecided when it came to what I wanted to do in the future.”

The study trips were the most fun

Bergdís, who had been studying Computer Science took a u-turn and started her degree in Leisure Studies in January 2021. She doesn’t regret that decision. Asked what she thought was the most fun part about her studies, Bergdís mentions the annual study trips. “They really gave me a new perspective on my studies,” she says. The trips are diverse and intended for both socialisation and studying. During Bergdís’ first year they went on a freshman trip to get to know one another better and get acquainted to their study programme. There were two field trips in the second year where the focus was on solving real projects and one trip to Vatnaskógur in the final year. “The purpose of that trip was really to reflect on and use what we had already learnt,” says Bergdís.

A bachelor's thesis that focuses on leisure activities for older people

Along with her studies, Bergdís worked in Hrafnista, a care home for the elderly, and in the occupational and physical therapy unit at a care home called Hamrar in Mosfellsbær. She has a keen interest in working with the elderly and the subject of her BA thesis was leisure activities for people over the age of 65 and the use of their leisure time. In her thesis she put forward ideas on how to prevent loneliness and leisure boredom and encourage leisure awareness among older people so that they can make the best use of their free time. As part of her thesis, she wrote a handbook for those working the elderly. The handbook includes an eight-hour leisure education course for those who work with the elderly and is the only known handbook of its kind written in Iceland.

You can do anything you want by being organised

Bergdís hasn’t stopped at studying full time and working alongside her studies but has also been pursuing her hobbies. That includes playing football, playing the guitar, and writing music and she has in fact used her music in her work with the elderly. A lot of work and organisation goes into being able to do all these things. “It wasn’t easy, combining my work, studies, and hobbies. It’s always said that studying full time equals working full time but by being organised and determined you can do anything you set your mind to,” says Bergdís.

The community and the connections the best part about studying at UI

When asked about what she thinks stands out after completing her degree Bergdís doesn’t hesitate and says: “What I think stands out was how much I learned about myself and how to work with many different people. At the same time, I found out what I wanted to do and what I want to stand for.” Judging by Bergdís’ answer it is obvious how much of a positive effect her degree in Leisure Studies has had.

According to Bergdís the best thing about studying at the University of Iceland is the community and connections you make that’ll last you a lifetime and she recommends studying for a degree in Leisure Studies: “I’d definitely recommend Leisure Studies. I’s a programme that suits everyone. You graduate with so much more than a degree; you also learn a lot about life in general.”

What are Bergdís’ plans for the future? “You could say that life takes over now after graduating. I like working at Hamrar, and I can see myself using my degree in that field in the future and perhaps doing more work with the elderly.”