esn reykjavik survival guide

16
Surviving Iceland

Upload: esn-reykjavik

Post on 22-Mar-2016

237 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

Survival guide

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

Surviving Iceland

Page 2: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

II

Welcome to Iceland

A short note from the board

ESN Reykjavík was founded back in 2007 by the International Students‘ Association in the University of Iceland. The idea was that it would both benefit the organization and the international students of Reykjavík to be a part of something bigger, stronger and obviously way cooler like ESN. To make a long story short, they were right!

ESN Reykjavík works under the main principles of ESN International. We foster student mobility by taking part in the International level of ESN but most importantly by doing our best to intergrate interna-tional students into the Icelandic university commu-nity. We work closely with the Student Council of the University of Iceland on the buddy / mentoring system and collectively try to find ways to make it better.

Our mission is to make your stay in Iceland an unforgettable experience. Therefore we offer numerous trips and activites each semester and weekly parties where you can meet your international comrades over a beer or two (or three!). We are always open to suggestions so if you have an idea, go nuts and send it to us.

Welcome to Reykjavík!The board of ESN Reykjavík

Design::Karin Weber, ESN Zürich, SwitzerlandCopyright:: ESN Switzerland

Cover: ESN Reykjavík with a little help from their friends, ESN Kapa Athens

ESN Reykjavíkwww.esnreykjavik.com

[email protected]

Page 3: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

1

Page 4: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

2

ESN Reykjavík

2

What does ESN stand for?ESN stands for Erasmus Student Network. It was formed by former exchange students in Gent in 1989 and is therefore celebrating it‘s 20th birthday this year.

Who‘s it for?As the name suggests, in the beginning it was mainly thought as a support network for Erasmus students. Even so, everyone is welcome to join us as long as they are studying in a Higher Education Institution in Iceland and agree with our values and principles.

What about the ESN card?The ESN Card is our membership card. With it you can get discounts with various companies in Iceland and you get a priority to all our trips and events throughout the semester. Our more popular events may be exclusive to ESN members if only a limited number of people can participate.

Does the board get paid?The members of the board are volunteers that are just students like you. Many of them have had the experience of being new in a foreign country so they know what it‘s like to be in your shoes. Some of them are just in it for the good times though :)

How can I be a part of this?If you are an exchange student, new to the University or just very interested in cheap beer you can become a member by buying our card. If you are Icelandic or staying in Iceland for a long time you should look into joining our team or become a buddy for an exchange student.

For the year 2009/2010 the price of the ESN card will be 3000 ISK.

That‘s less than 20 Euros and just over 20 Dollars. How can you say no to that?

Page 5: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

3

Events in the ESN calendar

The final event of the semester is normally a surprise event where we celebrate our time together and say good bye to good friends.

Below are a few examples of what nifty treats await you this coming winter.

Meet your buddy party is the first ESN event of the semester. It is a great opportunity for the foreign students to meet their Icelandic buddies and get to know each other.

Weekend at Þórsmörk and river rafting is our first trip of the semester. Before heading into Þórs-mörk we go river rafting down the glacial river Hvítá. After a day of rafting we part for the valley of Þórsmörk which is thought by many one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. The trip into Þórsmörk is like a safari in itself but the valley is known for its breathtaking views and great hiking routes.

The International dinner is a fun event where everyone can make a contribution by bring-ing and offering a special dish from their home country. Students can then enjoy and experience different styles of cusine from around the world while partying like there‘s no tomorrow.

Þorrablót is a traditional icelandic feast held in February. ESN invites it‘s members to enjoy the Þórrablót by offering them a traditional Icelandic gourmet dinner that involves haggis, sheep heads, shark and many other traditional delicacies

The Super jeep trip takes us up on one of the Icelandic glaciers in a specialized 4x4 super jeep. Up there we will glide over the glacier on a skidoo while enjoying the amazing views. Not to be missed.

Page 6: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

4

SHÍ - Student Council

Welcome to the University of Iceland.

The student council is a venue where students work together for students‘ rights. The council has 20 students all working on improving our environment as students. Within SHÍ are seven permanent committees: a workforce committee, a financial committee, a family committee, an equality committee, student interest committee, education committee and last but not least the international committee. The names for each committee pretty much explain the role of the committee.

The international committee takes care of the international affairs; Icelandic students abroad, international relations and the incoming intern students. The most important thing these days is to welcome incoming students and make their stay a little less complicated.

The international officer is the contact person for all foreign students. The international officer is Björn Teitsson and his contact information is found below. Björn will have office hours at the Student Council office, you can get information about the hours from Student Council. See contact information on the left.

If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact the student council office. SHI will do all there is possible to solve your problems. If you are not sure who to contact it is easy to send the inquiry to the Student Council,

We hope you enjoy your stay in IcelandThe Student council of the University of Iceland

Student Council:Háskólatorg - 3rd floorTel. 5 700 850e-mail: [email protected]

International Officer: Björn Teitsson [email protected]

Chairperson: Hildur Björnsdóttir, [email protected]

Secretary General: Jóhann Már Helgason, [email protected]

Student interests- and loan officer: Ingólfur Birgir Sigurgeirsson, [email protected]

Chairperson of the international Commit-tee: Anna Sigríður Hafliðadóttir, [email protected]

Page 7: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

5

Page 8: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

6

ESN International

Auður Ösp is the National Representative for ESN in Iceland. She joined ESN in 2008 after signing up as a buddy for an exchange student and in her own words: Somehow ended up as the NR. We asked her to answer a few questions about ESN and her role as the National Representative.

ESN, what‘s it all about?We foster student mobility in Higher Education.

What is that in human?We are joined with 300 other ESN sections in 33 countries to work on issues that are important to international students all over Europe. We do so by cooperating with the other ESN sections through various activities and by finding ways to better facilitate the international students in Reykjavík. We also give out information to Icelandic students who are about to embark on the great journey that is to be an exchange student in Europe. Last but not least we organize parties and trips for our members and we have a blast doing so!

So what do you do, besides throwing your fancy title around?ESN has three different levels: The local level, the national level and the international level. Individual sections are on the local level, then countries with many sections form a national board that represents ESN in the country as a whole and finally on the international level there‘s an International Board that lives and works out of Brussels and a council of National Representatives. The National Representative is a link between the sections in their country and ESN International.

Auður is studying Political Science with Marketing and Inter-national business as a minor. She hasn‘t gone on an exchange yet but lived for a while in different countries around Europe where she got to know the Erasmus way of living.

Page 9: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

7

The National Representative

The Council of National Representatives? Sounds like something out of the lord of the rings!The Council of National Representatives, or CNR, is made up by NRs from all of the 33 countries that are a part of the network. We meet 5-6 times a year to discuss how to make the network stronger and we discuss all the different projects that are going on at any given time. For example now we have a project that aims to encourage disabled students to go on an exchange and how to make it easier for them to do so. Between meetings we stay in touch through a mailing list, Skype and so on.

So you are serious people? I would like to think we are pretty serious about what we do but we also know how to let our hair down.

Would you recommend ESN to others?I could not recommend it enough. Not only will you meet a lot of amazing people but you will also learn a lot. Plus, if you get my position, you get to travel all over Europe.

So your job is up for grabs?Officially the NR‘s term is one year, from one Annual General Meeting to the next. Next AGM will take place in Istanbul in March 2010. However, at the moment there are no likely candidates for my job so I might be stuck with it for another year. Which, to be honest, is not such a bad thing! I would strongly encourage everyone who‘s interested in my job or anything ESN related to contact us and find out how to join us. You won‘t regret it! We are always looking

for motivated people to join our team. Visit our website for more info:www.esnreykjavik.com.

Page 10: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

8

What‘s on in Reykjavík?

Feeling cultural? Then Reykjavík’s the place to be! Grab your journal and jot down these dates:

September 17th - 27th: Reykjavík International Film FestivalWant to see a short film from Kasakhstan? Or maybe a documentary from Chile? Or perhaps you’d prefer an Icelandic movie? You don’t really have to choose… just see them all! http://riff.is/

September 25th - 30th: Nordisk PanoramaWe do like movies here in Iceland… might have something to do with those long, dark winter nights. Check out Nordic short films and documentaries at the Nordisk Panorama Film Festival http://www.nordiskpanorama.com/

October 14th - 18th: Iceland AirwavesSeptember was full of movies… now it’s time for music! It’s time for ICELAND AIRWAVES! Need I say more? http://www.icelandairwaves.is/

November 6th - 14th: UnglistThe art festival for the young at heart. Actually, it‘s only for young people but that‘s OK because we are young (and hip!). Music, design, fashion, art... they got it all. http://www.unglist.is

Outside the concrete jungle

For those brave en-ough to venture out of Reykjavík we would also like to recommend Aldrei Fór Ég Suður music festival in Ísafjörður. It takes place every Easter weekend and is abseloutely free. An Icelandic woolen sweater is a must for this country fun. Their web-site is currently down but try googling Aldrei fór ég suður for more info

Page 11: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

9

Outside of Reykjavík

Are you a fan of spectacular landscapes, other worldy geological wonders and odd people with peculiar hobbies? Well, then you are in luck because Iceland offers all that and more. Although it‘s hard to imagine for us city folks, Reykjavík is not the center of the universe. Every part of the country offers something different and always when you think you‘ve discovered the most beautiful place in the country, you drive a little further and find something new.

We recommend you take use of the special ESN offers from our partners and enjoy a weekend or two outside of Reykjavík. Get in touch with nature, chat with the hidden people and find out why more and more people fall in love with Iceland each year.

The Phallological Museum in Húsavík:www.phallus.is

The Ghost Center in Stokkseyri:www.draugasetrid.is

The Settlement Center in Borgarnes:www.landnam.is

Page 12: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

10

Reykjavík on the cheaps

Every Saturday the Food Not Bombs group gives away free lunch in Lækjartorg between 1pm and 5pm.

If you have a taste for hotdogs you can get 5 hotdogs and bread in 11-11 convenient store for 299 ISK. You may have to cook them yourself but this is probably the best hotdog deal in town

The cheapest supermarkets to shop in are Bó-nus and Krónan. You can visit their websites for the latest offers but unfortunately they are only in Icelandic. www.bonus.is and www.kronan.is

Subway offers the sub of the month for 349 ISK. You can make the most of your money by stuffing it with delicious fresh greens, no extra charge.

IKEA has cheap furniture but they have even cheaper food. Get a full meatball meal for 595 ISK.

The cheapest beer around can be found in Batteríið every Wedneday night at our weekly ESN parties. Beer for 400 ISK, Wine 500 ISK and Cocktails 1000 ISK.

In need for some coffee? Try visit the banks! They offer free coffee for their waiting customers and sometimes even cookies. It‘s no Soya Latte but does the trick.

Food

Drinks

Page 13: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

11

Reykjavík on the cheaps

Almost every café around town, the public library and even Austurvöllur park offer free WIFI for passers by. The cafés might expect you to buy something to use it but no such thing is needed in the library.

A few muesums grant free entrance on specific dates:• Wednesdays: The national Museum• Fridays: Arbaer Museum• Every day: Reykjavík Art Museum.

Stay in shape with the University gym. A pass for a whole year 7000 ISK and 10 sessions pass 1500 ISK.

Stay in touch with your mates. Buy the ESN card and you will get a free SIM card from Nova that allows you to call all your other friends with Nova for free! You can also send a free SMS to everyone else through their website www.nova.is.

Eager to see the newest Hollywood blockbuster? Regnboginn movie theater has the lowest overall price or 750 ISK per showing. However, every Tuesday you can get the ticket for 500 ISK in Sambíó.

Need a new chair? Visit the Good Shepard charity shop or the Salvation Army‘s charity shop which both offer great value on second hand furniture.

Finally, to see what‘s going on in Reykjavík pick up your free copy of the Reykjavík Grapevine at va-rious locations around the city. .

Every-thingelse

Page 14: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide
Page 15: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide

13

In case of Emergency

112 – Police, Medical and Fire emergencies• If an accident occurs or an emergency

arises, call 112.

• Explain as clearly as you can the circumstances, where you are and what type of assistance you need.

• Stay calm and listen to the instruc-tions you receive from the emergency operator, who will immediately arrange the appropriate help.

1770 – Duty DoctorReception between 17:00 -23:30 Mon-Fri and between 9:30 and 23:30 on weekends

575-0505 – Emergency DentistSaturday and holidays 11:00-13:00

1700 – Health CentersInformation telephone service Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00

Important websites

National Registry: www.thjodskra.is/enInformation about rent subsidies:www.mcc.is/english/housing/rent-subsidies/Icelandic Directorate of Immigration: http://www.utl.is/englishUniversity of Iceland: www.hi.is/enESN Reykjavík: www.esnreykjavik.com

Vínbúðin opening hours: Mon.- Thurs. 11-18Fri. 11-19Sat. 11-18

If it‘s a real emergency then the stores in Skeifan and Dalbraut are open for extra two hours Mon-Fri*Vínbúðin is the state run alcohol shop

Page 16: ESN Reykjavik Survival guide