Updated Slideshow from the Farm to Table Tour
GO Blog
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April 29, 2008
April 22, 2008
Photo Summary
Bláa Lónið, the Blue Lagoon, is made up of mineral rich, geothermal seawater and is known for its beneficial affects on skin. The average temperature of the steamy water is 40 degrees Celsius.
April 11, 2008
Iceland - A Daily Blog
Day 1
I am happily settled back into the Radisson here in Iceland. It has been a busy 24 hours since leaving St. Paul and I am feeling pretty darn tired but I wanted to be sure to at least write down my first impressions before they become second and third understandings... Thus far, Reykjavik seems to be a very quaint town, amazingly accessible by foot for just about everything AND there are already crocuses blooming and the city lake is full of pink footed geese, ducks and swans. I spent a small part of the day just wandering about the town, watching the kids in the skateboard park, walking by part of the seaport and cruising the bookstore. For dinner, some of the students from the U and a couple elementary school teachers from Miami met up and went to a small pub for soup in a bread bowl dinner and then a tea at a small cooperatively owned coffee house that was playing the very unusual contemporary Icelandic music.
A Week in Iceland
I truly enjoyed my week long stay in Iceland, and was greatly impressed by everything from the beautiful surreal mountainous landscape, to the courteous and introspective Nordic culture; and of course the deep knowledge and unrelenting optimism concerning global health issues shared by both Olafur Ragnar Grimmson, the president of Iceland, and the Icelandic people. Throughout my trip, I couldn’t help but compare Iceland to the United States – there are so many differences and yet many similarities in culture and values. What stood out to me the most, in terms of culture, was the reserved and socially conscious demeanor of the Icelandic people, which contrasts very strongly with the extroverted and individualistic attributes of American culture.
April 10, 2008
What Iceland Can Teach the Modern World
Well it has been 7 days of intense study and learning here at 66 Latitude. Very difficult to do since the sun has been mostly shining and, although the wind is cold, the vistas are stunning. It has been quite a, to use a Nordic term, “saga” of discovery for me. I did not know what to expect beyond what I learned in grammar school about how Greenland is icy and Iceland is green. Suffice to say it was a journey that shed some light the current issues facing our global community.
Continue reading "What Iceland Can Teach the Modern World" »
April 08, 2008
A Global Community: Academics and Public Health
The Global Public Health Institute has just come to a close and it has truly been an amazing learning opportunity! I had the privilege of attending lectures and collaborating with classmates and faculty from both the University of Minnesota and the University of Iceland. The lectures were very thought provoking and provided me with the opportunity to learn more about the research being done at both universities. Several interesting themes emerged from the Institute and I am amazed at how a simple change of environment can bring these ideas to the forefront and shed a new light on the issues surrounding global health.
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April 07, 2008
Something Inside
I feel so alive. There is nothing as refreshing as a swim in Iceland’s outdoor swimming pool, followed by a soak in the hot pools. It is so good for the soul. Something inside me keeps drawing me back to this unique country, the home of my ancestors. I consider Iceland my second home.
How do I describe my past week in Iceland? This is difficult when so much emotion and feelings are attached. I feel so fortunate to be able to study and attend the Global Health Institute in Reykjavik. Thank you to the University of Minnesota for offering me this excellent educational opportunity and travel stipend. It is my dream come true to study at the University of Iceland.
April 05, 2008
Coming Home
I’m sad to be returning. I met some really great people on this trip that I hope become life-long friends. Anna, Tai, Kate & Kristin-I couldn’t have asked for better company! All of you inspired me in one way or another. Thank-you!
Our Icelandic classmates; Hilda, Agnes, & Hannah: These women met us out after school and extended much Icelandic hospitality (sometimes in the form of Brennivin). They are wise and interesting women who do not know which hand you wear your wedding ring on in Iceland. I found that refreshing! We all dispelled myths-like Americans get engaged and get married always in one year. Icelandic women do not have to give up their names; both parties simply keep the names of their fathers.
Funny how much you can have in common.
April 04, 2008
A Visit to the President's Home
Sunday March March 30, 2008 We were invited to the home of Olafur Ragnar Grimmson, the President of Iceland. He gave a wonderful presentation about climate change. He discussed the use of geothermal energy and how other parts of the world, including the United States, have geothermal energy resources. There was a slide in his presentation that showed where in the world there is known geothermal energy resources and I was amazed to see the amount of this available in the United States.
Everything I didn’t know about Iceland…
Always being interested in Global Health and Climate change I decided that going to the Global Health Institute in Iceland would an amazing opportunity for me. I learn much more by experiencing things first hand and always appreciate seeing things in person rather than in books. Here is a summary of my first four days in Iceland:
Continue reading "Everything I didn’t know about Iceland…" »
April 03, 2008
Tour of Decode.
Wow. This is like a longitudinal case study of epic proportions. I cannot believe what they have learned. I was astounded by their data base of genetic coding. As a consequence, they have also developed a huge questionnaire data base. Being from Public Health- I would love to tap into that! The Icelanders are generous to share their information, so that we can learn. I’m astounded by their willingness to help, and to be so progressive and trusting. -- Jamie Sweet
April 02, 2008
Ad-Lib tour of NICU
We got the chance to visit the Icelandic NICU. Margaret (an Icelandic Nursing student) was our tour-guide. Margaret is amazing! She once was a lay midwife in the Icelandic countryside, before getting into Informatics. I was impressed looking at the reports and statistics the women had prepared for us before we came. They compiled a tidy list of the average number of births & infant mortality rates. They also told us where children were sent for special care. Surprisingly, they utilize the US quite often. They simply place the sick child and the nursing/medical staff on board a plane and deliver them to the US.
April 01, 2008
First Thoughts & Impressions
The Icelandic hospitality was wonderful and they welcomed us warmly. The taxi driver who drove me from the airport to the hotel spoke with me about the geology of Iceland and said, “in Iceland the plates are coming apart while in California they are bumping together.”
Driving in from the airport I was reminded of my time spent on the Big Island of Hawaii. The temperatures were not the same, but the rugged lava beds that flowed out to the ocean were similar in their sparse vegetation, jagged, crumbling rock, and the feel that one is experiencing the world as it was millions of years ago, before the advent of animal life. I feel like I am in a dream, floating through some mysterious other world…
Greg Burgess
MPH Environmental Health, Infectious Disease Control
University of Minnesota
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