The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on international affairs and travels all around the world but it will not prevent International Days being held with pomp and circumstance at the University of Iceland 4 - 6 November. Diverse events will be offered online where students and staff can see the possibilities for studies and work abroad next year, when the epidemic will hopefully have retreated.
International Days have been held at the University of Iceland for years and have from the very beginning caught the attention of curious and eager travellers among students and staff. The aim of the International Days is to emphasise the various international opportunities for students, teachers and staff, which are made possible through the university’s active participation in international cooperation.
The International Office and the Student Council's International Committee are even more ambitious this year despite the raging pandemic; which has, in fact, not been able to stop students' travels around the globe. There are, thus, 180 students from the University of Iceland in exchange studies all over the world this academic year and over 70 international students began their studies at the University of Iceland this autumn, 175 exchange students and 543 degree students.
Three day programme entirely online in accordance with current restrictions on gatherings
The feast begins at noon on Wednesday 4 November when a representative from the International Office lists diverse possibilities for students in both undergraduate and graduate studies in vocational training or research activity in universities, companies or institutes in Europe. The same day, university staff members can learn about teacher and staff exchange programmes, along with other possibilities through Erasmus+ along with possibilities for students in exchange studies at the over 400 partner universities worldwide. As it is best to carefully select a university for exchange studies, students are can chat with former exchange students about everything connected to the process and the stay at the end of the day on both 4 and 6 November.
The University of Iceland is an international university so similar introductions will be held in English for exchange studies, mobility grants, and vocational training abroad. This event takes place on 5 November. Additionally, a presentation of the AURORA network and European University Alliance will offer both staff and students insight into the network’s projects and future opportunities within the alliance. The day ends with an international Pub Quiz, organised by the International Committee where participants get the chance to show off your trivial knowledge about Iceland and the world.
The information office on studying abroad organises a talk for degree students on 6 November, there is, furthermore, an opportunity the same day to look into exchange studies.
Those interested should follow the University of Iceland's Instagram (haskoli_islands) and the International Office's (internationalofficeui) as students in exchange studies and vocational training abroad will give a glimpse of their stay, and international students at the University of Iceland will describe their experience here in Iceland.
The International Office, furthermore, organises a photography competition in connection with the International Days where students that have been or are currently in exchange studies, can share their photos and experience of their stay. There is a prize for the best photos and they will also bee on display during the International Days and into the month of November.
The International Days programme can be found on the University website.