Participants' Survey: General Comments
I would rate the Snorri West program definitely fantastic!! I am so happy that I got selected for the program because it is really a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would recommend it to everyone. ”
All the host families were extremely nice. They all treated us well and went an extra mile to make us feel welcome. I would recommend the Snorri West program to anyone. It broadens your view on the history not only of Canada and the USA but also Iceland itself. ”
Participants' Survey: 2019 - Pacific Coast
Our hosts really spoiled us. They were great hosts and made us feel very welcome...I was able to make a personal connection with a close relative and make a social network with more Western-Icelanders." — A particpant from Háskóli Íslands
I really liked hiking in [Washington], it was so beautiful and it felt great to exercise....Hosts were so nice, amazing...the activities super fun. [Not necessary to know relationships to West Icelanders, [the program] found them for us.} The program is very good and educational." — Another participant from Háskóli Íslands
Awesome place[s] to visit, interesting, fun, amazing place[s]...very friendly and helpful." — Another participant from Háskóli Íslands
Participants' Survey: 2018 - East Coast
I already told everyone I know to apply for next year. This program is such a great opportunity to meet people from different parts of hte world and learn about their culture and how it mixes in with yours... I was not expecting to make so many friends and learn so much about every place we went to see." — A participant from Fjölbrautaskólinn í Garðabæ
Without a doubt [it met my expectations]. It's heartwarming to meet other people who also care so much about Iceland. We met a lot of fantastic people on our trip and got to know both Canada and the U.S. a lot better. I expected it to be fun, but it exceeded my expectations. It was a pleasure to meet all of the Western-Icelanders and hear their stories, but it was also cool to meet Icelanders who moved to North-America more recently. We did a lot of things that I could never have imagined happening if we were planning the trip ourselves, so I really value all of the planning that went into the trip." — A participant who graduated from Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík, Háskóli Íslands and Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB
I went with rather low expectation and open mind so I would be prepared for everything and is was so much fun. Everybody was super nice and so helpful." — A participant who graduated from Menntaskólinn að Laugarvatni and Háskólinn í Reykjavík
It was great getting to know all the story of west Iceland. Yes [it met my expectations] and i already have [recommended the program] because I think we need to get more of young Icelanders to learn the story of west Icelanders." — A participant who graduated from Menntaskóli Borgarfjarðar
Participants' Survey: 2017 - Midwest Corridor
I had two main expectations. To make strong new connections and broadening my horizons. Both very successful. I made great friends and learned a lot." — A participant who graduated from Fjölbrautaskólinn í Breiðholti and Háskólinn í Reykjavík
Yes, it sure did meet my expectations. We were involved in various activities that made the trip more memorable than I would otherwise anticipate. What surprised me the most was to see how people relate to their own culture heritage. The cultural awareness, that the people which we met, brought to the table was something that I´ll always cherish and appreciate the values held by their actions." — A participant who graduated from Háskólinn á Bifröst and Háskóli Íslands
It was the most amazing four weeks of my life!...All of my hosts were amazing and I'm super happy that I got the chance to meet them and get to know them!... Almost everyone that we met was related to us one way or another...It was all very well organized, great hosts and everything was always well planned...I'm actually going to write my BA thesis about my generation of Western Icelanders....this Program just changed my life a way too much! Takk fyrir allt " — A participant from Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri and Háskóli Íslands
Yes I would [recommend the Snorri West Program] and I have so far! It was amazing to get to live the local life and do things the locals do. Also meeting all of the Western Icelanders that were so proud of being Icelandic! It did open my mind about that how amazing it is to be part of such a small and nice nation, and I was a way prouder to be Icelandic when I came back home than I was when I left." — Anonymous
Overall it was fantastic...It's a great way to meet people, learn about Icelandic history, have fun and travel...I met my relatives and got information and photos from them." — Anonymous
Participants' Survey: 2016 - Central Corridor
My favorite [part] was talking to people and hearing the stories they knew of their ancestors and their lives before and after they came to North America. Wanda actually showed me letters that her great-grandmother had written to her sister, who was my great-great-great grandmother, and in it she speaks of my great-grandfather. Absolutely wonderful! ” — Anonymous
One of the best thing[s] about the Snorri West trip is the people who I met and stayed with. Everyone was so sweet and went out of their way to make the trip so great for us! I´m so happy that I met all these wonderful people and hopefully I will meet them again in the future, there in Iceland or in America. I did not meet any close relatives but everyone I met treated me like I was their family and that was such a great feeling.” — Anonymous
Wow, this has been a truly life changing experience. I don't even know where to start, the stories I heard, the places I saw, the things I did, were all amazing. But the hospitality and kindness of people was just beyond heartwarming. To take us into your homes and hearts like this was more than we could have hoped for. We have made friends and family for life. Thank you so much. This time will stay with me always. ” — Anonymous
I would highly recommend the Snorri West program to others. I would say that there is a new world open to me after this trip. I did the research for the trip, looked at the places we were going to visit on google maps and read about them but actually going to the places was a great experience, being in America and seeing everything connected to Iceland was amazing. Like visiting the Icelandic churches and going to the Icelandic graveyards and seeing the Icelandic names on the gravestones,that was amazing. Meeting all the people of Icelandic descent and hearing their stories was great. This is such a great opportunity for young people, to learn about their country and what happened there all these years ago in this way. I believe that this experience will follow me for the rest of my life.” — Anonymous
My overall experience was fantastic. I felt [at] home and was welcome in their house as a family member. Good food! Nice to have home cooked meals like chicken and fish in between all the burgers and sandwiches. Yes I would absolutely [recommend the Snorri West program]. I had a blast. I did not want to go home after these 4 weeks and I cried when I was saying goodbye to my relatives at the airport. I had some ideas about how the program was going to be, but it was so much more than I had ever expected. I recommend young people to go to meet relatives yes. That experience was over and beyond. I love all of them and we are going to keep in touch. They will come to Iceland in a few years and I plan to go see them right away in the summer of 2017. In this program and see the Icelanders who live there and think so highly of their roots from Iceland, and have Icelandic culture in their home. “Everyone is so good and polite to you, I just can't explain. You have to go there [to North America].. ” — Anonymous
I cannot thank everyone enough for everything they did for us. I can only say thank you and I hope I'll see them again.” — Anonymous
I really enjoyed getting a home cooked meal at the host families. It was also great to get BBQ meals... then we get to know food that they would have on a regular day. ” — Anonymous
It is a once in a lifetime experience where you get to learn about the Icelanders that left while living with families in another continent as if you were family. And maybe you are!” — Anonymous