From Northumbria University, MacGregor has seen more than just the nation of England while studying abroad. The week of March 14, MacGregor ventured out to see Iceland, leaving footprints behind.
“Iceland is quite honestly a completely different environment from England,” said MacGregor. “After being in England for a few months, I have gotten quite comfortable with the environment and everything that has to do with Newcastle. It was interesting to see the nervousness that I had experienced from leaving the states in the beginning of January return as I was preparing the night before leaving for Iceland.”
MacGregor was feeling as nervous about traveling to Iceland as he did when he first came to England to study abroad.
“It was almost identical to the feelings of traveling to England for five months, even though I knew the trip to Iceland was only going to be for five days,” said MacGregor. “It was especially nerve wracking because I was renting a vehicle for these five days and I had not driven anywhere for nearly two months. Let me just say that it was a breath of fresh air to see people driving on the [right] side of the road for a change. I did not realize how much I had missed being in a car until the moment I started adjusting the seat in the car,” said MacGregor.
MacGregor noticed one huge difference from being in Iceland, and that was the price.
“Iceland is by far the most expensive country I have ever encountered. It is nearly impossible to find a meal for under $10 and if you are looking for a place to sit down and eat, it is easily $25 a person and up,” said MacGregor.
In addition to food prices, souvenirs can also have high costs. MacGregor looked forward to getting a t-shirt from Iceland but it was a little out of the question, starting at $35, which MacGregor found ridiculous.
“To anyone complaining about gas prices back home, just be aware that the price per gallon in Iceland came to about $8.00. I quite honestly do not understand how they afford anything in Iceland,” said MacGregor.
Something MacGregor found priceless were the sights he explored.
“The scenery was simply remarkable. The black sand beaches were unlike anything I had ever seen before,” said MacGregor.
MacGregor added the beaches in Iceland don’t compare to the typical beaches he has vacationed at previously.
“I’ve gone to the beach so many times before – the typical white sand, hot sun, disgusting saltwater taste as soon as you get out of the car sort of beaches,” said MacGregor. “But here in Iceland, I found myself getting out of the car and being cold. While we were exploring the shoreline, it started to snow as well – something I’ve never seen before.”
In addition to the black sand beaches, MacGregor took in the 15-minute scenic walk to the largest glacier in Europe: Varnajokull.
“The sheer magnificence of this natural wonder was beyond words,” he said. “Driving up towards the area, it looked just like the other areas of Iceland: looming mountains over the horizon, snow in every direction, lots of people, the usual tourist attraction scenery. But as we got closer and closer to it, you could tell that this was not going to be like any other mountain or waterfall attraction dotting the Icelandic map. This was something special.”
MacGregor gets more opportunity than the location he resides in for schooling while being abroad. MacGregor’s experience in Iceland was an adventure he said he would relive if he had the chance.
“It was easily all that I expected it would be and so much more! I absolutely loved everything about the country and I would love to go back and experience it all again,” said MacGregor.