In February 2023, students from Roedean School took part in a three-day trip to Iceland. This was the independent school’s first Geography trip since 2018, as, in recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic meant restrictions to most travel plans.
Starting on the Friday before the February half-term, 40 girls from Years 10, 11, and 12 flew to “the land of fire and ice.”The trip was an extraordinary opportunity for the School’s students to explore Iceland’s natural wonders and learn about the country’s geography, history, and culture.
Exploring Iceland’s Natural Wonders
Iceland is famous for its unique, natural beauty. The island country’s glacier lagoons, geysers, hot springs, and powerful waterfalls draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to Iceland each year. The three-day trip offered Roedean students ample opportunities to appreciate the country’s natural splendour.
The itinerary for the first day involved a guided tour around the sustainable town of Selfoss and visits to the LAVA Centreand two of Iceland’s iconic waterfalls.
The girls started the second day of the trip with a tour of the dramatic coastal features around Vik. This included the headland features at Dyrhólaey and the nearby black beaches and basalt columns. The group saw the powerful North Atlantic Ocean at work as large waves battered the coastline.
On the afternoon of the second day, the group ascended the Sólheimajökull glacier with the assistance of local mountain guides. Students learnt how to use an ice axe and followed the guides up the middle of the glacier, manoeuvring around crevasses and witnessing the natural phenomenon’s raw beauty.
The last day of the trip saw the girls enjoy a swim in the geothermal Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest natural swimming pool. Finally, the group embarked on the Golden Circle Tour of southern Iceland. The tour took in the active geyser at Geysir, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the historic site and national park of Thingvellir.
Roedean emphasises the educational nature of the Geography students’ half-term adventure. Besides marvelling at many of Iceland’s natural wonders, the group had the chance to learn more about the country’s fascinating geographical features, such as the tectonic plates at Thingvellir.
Thingvellir was also the traditional location of the Viking parliament. Throughout the trip, students uncovered insights into Iceland’s Viking history and culture.
The students worked on several academic and scientific projects during the trip. One of these involved studying the effects of climate change on Icelandic glaciers.
The School hopes the students who took part in the Iceland visit will continue to reap the personal and academic rewards of the trip well into the future. The excursion provided ample opportunities for girls to expand their knowledge of the natural world and enhance their cultural understanding of another country.
One of Roedean’s aims is for each student to be compassionate, developing respect for others throughout their time at the School. Trips play a useful part in this aim, offering enrichment opportunities for girls to explore new cultures and ideas in meaningful ways.
These experiences can also contribute to and consolidate students’ academic learning. By observing the landscape and geographical features, the Iceland trip helped the girls gain a better understanding of their classroom studies.
Roedean’s 2023 Iceland trip proved a valuable experience for the students involved. The excursion gave the girls the chance to explore a country famed for its natural beauty, expand their academic and personal horizons, and make lasting memories with friends.
Families with daughters seeking a well-rounded education packed with similar opportunities may consider applying to Roedean School.
Roedean welcomes applications from both UK and international students. Families can apply via the Roedean website or with the assistance of an educational agent. The admissions process is run through Roedean’s online admissions portal, where you will need to set up an account to submit an application.
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