amber's alumni internship story: a life-changing summer in hofsós, part 2

Amber Drake (Snorri 2018) served as our US Snorri Alumni Intern in the summer of 2025. Amber packed her bags (including her bagpipes!) and bid farewell to her home on one volcanic island, Hawaii,  to embark on a months-long adventure that would take her to several countries across Europe. But her adventure began in quaint Hofsós, where she volunteered alongside her Canadian counterpart, Sydney Veldhuis, and other volunteers at the Icelandic Emigration Center. The following excerpts from Amber's blog offer insights into what life is really like as a Snorri Alumni Intern. (Part 2 of 3 - click here for Part 1 and here for Part 3)

July 27, 2025
One Month in Hofsós
I can hardly believe it’s already been a month since I arrived in Hofsós! This place has been a true sanctuary for me, filled with peace, a deep connection to nature, and meaningful interactions with others — many of which have been wonderfully serendipitous. This past week has been full of adventure, quiet moments, delicious food, and new connections. Before diving into the week’s escapades, I’d like to take a moment to highlight the work I’ve been doing at the museum.

Connections made at Vesturfarasetrið
I’ve realized that I haven’t shared enough about my experiences working at the museum and what it truly means to me. In a previous post, I briefly touched on the museum’s purpose and provided details about each of its buildings; however, I didn’t delve into the day-to-day interactions that make this place so special. 

Some days are pretty slow, with only a handful of guests passing through, while others bring a steady stream of visitors eager to explore. It’s fascinating to see people from all corners of the globe come to visit us, including India, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Austria, England, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Canada, and many more countries. Each visitor brings their unique perspective and stories, enriching our museum experience and reminding me of the importance of cultural exchange.

Among the many encounters I have had with travelers, some have particularly stood out to me. I am constantly reminded of the incredible interconnectedness in our universe, as there have been many instances where I have made wonderful connections with people, even in the far north, in the tiny town of Hofsós.

When guests arrive, I usually start by asking where they're traveling from, how long they'll be visiting, and what brings them to the museum. In return, they often inquire about my background and ask why I'm volunteering here. Many are surprised to learn that I'm a Western Icelander from Hawaii. Sharing these personal details often sparks engaging conversations, especially since many guests are excited to connect with someone from a place that holds cherished memories for them or who shares a common interest.

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Many visitors to the museum are of Icelandic descent, and their experience here offers a deep understanding of their familial origins. The museum does an excellent job of illustrating the harsh realities of life in Iceland, where many people believed that emigrating west was their best chance for survival. As I learn more about the journeys of various Icelanders, I often find myself wondering how they endured such hardships. Many visitors also ponder the same question.

Visitors with Icelandic heritage have varying degrees of familiarity with their family history. Some come with a wealth of information, while others know just a few names. For those who do have a name, we can help shed light on their ancestors' immigration stories. Occasionally, guests passionately share their family tales, and their Icelandic pride truly shines through. 

One day, an Icelandic couple returned many years after their first visit to the museum, eager to track down a photograph they remembered seeing in our genealogy library. As we searched for the book containing the photo, they regaled me with stories about their family, many of whom ventured west while others remained in Iceland. After about an hour of friendly conversation and diligent searching, we finally located the photograph. Their excitement was apparent; it turned out to be a picture of his great-grandmother, accompanied by a brief paragraph about her life. He snapped a photo of the page, thrilled to have found it. A fun little anecdote: he shared that his great-grandmother had earned the nickname "the machine gun" due to her lively chatter. He joked that his own talkative nature was likely inherited from her. We all shared a good laugh before they departed.

Yesterday, I met a couple who are related to Valgeir and are from the Big Island of Hawaii. They were excited to meet me, and Valgeir asked me to give them a tour of the museum. It was clear that it meant a great deal to them to have someone from their home state dedicate time and attention to them, highlighting the stories in the museum that featured their family members.

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All photos courtesy of Amber Drake.