Attending Summer School at Stanford

Four students from the University of Iceland will be studying this summer at Stanford University in California, as part of the so-called Stanford Summer International Honors Programme (SSIHP). The summer programme lasts for eight weeks and allows students to experience the unique academic and scientific community of Stanford. Additionally, they have the opportunity to get the summer programme accredited as part of their studies at the University of Iceland.

The four students heading to Stanford are: Aðalheiður Lind Björnsdóttir, a psychology student; Benedikt Tómas Guðmundsson, electrical and computer engineering; Óðinn Andrason; mechanical engineering student; and Sonja Oliversdóttir, economics. Notably, Óðinn is following in the footsteps of his three older sisters, all of whom have participated in the summer programme at Stanford.

The summer programme is very diverse, offering lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as organised trips to Silicon Valley, which is located near the university.

Daðey Ásta Hálfdánsdóttir, who graduated with a BS degree in chemical engineering this June, participated in the summer programme at Stanford last summer. She says that her stay at Stanford was the most memorable part of her university experience. "Stanford is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, and the campus offers excellent facilities and an academic environment where everyone is passionate about their studies. The highlight was meeting people from all over the world, even from places I had never heard of before! I will always cherish this experience and the memories and friends I made that summer."

Stanford University and the University of Iceland signed an agreement for the summer programme in 2010, and since then, a large group of students has taken advantage of this unique opportunity to study at one of the world's leading universities.