Ironically enough, Icelanders are a very cold people; they tend to be a bit blunt and standoffish. Which I found presented a few interesting interactions that put me and my peers into situations that could’ve been resolved with little explanation and conversation.
I think it made for very confrontational moments. Especially with the culture of the program is don’t ask “squeeze bottle” questions; ie easily found out questions. This is understandable considering we were all in our 20s but I think it made all of us less comfortable to ask valuable questions.
I think it depends on the family because not every Icelander I met was standoffish, so I think generally speaking if I grew up in the culture of Iceland was my home id feel extremely comfortable with the community and people.
I think having the basic blunt exposure for such a long period of time will give me the necessary understanding of what a globalized world means. How much the US impacts other cultures for better and worse. I also think that being abroad allows for a better understanding of the faults of my home country as I was so immersed in the ideals of my host country.