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.
Iceland is such a contrast to Arizona, where I have spent the past three months working in order to save money to travel and study in Iceland. Most people I talked with thought I was nuts. You’re what? Working in Arizona to go to Iceland? I am so glad that this fascinating island of fire and ice generally remains a well kept secret.
This is my fourth trip to Iceland. I created the opportunity to work in Iceland in 2001. I wrote letters to several hospitals and was fortunate to get one reply and job offer. It was just meant to be. The timing was perfect. This was my window of opportunity, as the Icelanders were graduating their first occupational therapy class that spring. So, seven years ago, I traveled from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to northern Iceland to accept a position as an occupational therapist at Kristnes, a country hospital near Akureyri. After meeting some of my dear relatives in Reykjavik, and having my first Icelandic meal of fish and potatoes, I boarded the bus to Akureyri in the darkness and began my job on January 15, my birthday. I will never forget this special birthday gift. I worked in Iceland for nine months and absolutely had the time of my life. I fell in love with the people and the country. Fortunately I was able to meet most of my relatives thanks to my father’s siblings visiting years earlier, as well as the excellent genealogical records. I even met some relatives one day while working at Kristnes, and the next thing I knew I was invited to their farm to shear sheep. I have many other stories of my wonderful experiences and adventures.
So, my first trip to Iceland was to work and explore my roots. My second trip to Iceland was to visit my family and friends. My third trip to Iceland was with my husband for our honeymoon. And now my fourth trip to Iceland is to attend the Global Health Institute at the University of Iceland. I am very happy to be living my dreams. As the president of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson says, Icelanders think they can do anything. Well, I believe this is a very positive and healthy attitude for everyone.
I have learned very much attending the Global Health Institute this past week. I have found the presentations very informative and interesting. The Institute has provided me with an excellent opportunity to meet others interested and working in the area of public health.
Global climate change is a real problem. We all have our part to play in changing the global environment.
I believe that we have much to learn from the Icelanders. .They have many things to be proud of such as sustainable resources, renewable energy, gender equality, an excellent health care system, history of the first parliament, and genealogy records. Now they are leaders in using genetic testing to formulate preventive strategies for common diseases. My ancestors left Iceland for Canada because of poverty. Iceland is now a wealthy nation. Through its history, this small nation has valued literacy and education, and this has served them well. I agree with some of the presenters that the solution to global health problems is education in order to change behavior. Knowledge is the key element in international development and the key to empowerment. What an excellent educational opportunity this has been.
Cindy Anderson
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