amber's alumni internship story: a life-changing summer in hofsós, part 3

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 3 of 3 - click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2)

The cover of Amber's forthcoming coloring book inspired by Vesturfarasetrið.

August 17, 2025
My summer project
I haven’t mentioned this before, but I’m creating a coloring book for the museum, set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. I’ve selected various photographs and scenes from the museum and have been transforming them into coloring book pages using just a pencil and a micron pen. This project has given me a unique connection with many of the images. By closely examining each photo, I’ve picked up on details I might have missed if I weren’t drawing them.

For example, one of my drawings features a little boy inside an old turf house. The scene is crowded with various objects, and next to the stove was an indistinguishable blob. When I zoomed in to figure out what to draw, I realized it was actually a cat! The cat must have moved just as the photo was taken, making it blur into obscurity. The boy’s sullen expression made me wonder what he might have been going through at the time, but there’s some comfort in knowing he had his furry companion nearby.

I just finished the last page today and am proud to say I completed the entire project with only one pencil, which is now a little under an inch long! Now, I’ll begin scanning each image to prepare for printing. Keep an eye out for the coloring book’s release next summer!

[...]

Being here has fostered a deep connection to this place. Having lived in Hawaii for the past decade, I’ve learned a great deal about Hawaiian culture. One concept I had heard of but never truly understood until coming to Iceland is the idea of a “sense of place.” For the Hawaiian people, this concept is vital—it represents a lifestyle deeply rooted in familial relationships with the land and all its features: the physical terrain, the stories tied to it, and those who lived there before. Where you come from and where your ancestors come from are central to your identity. I feel this profound “sense of place” here in Iceland. Connecting with the land and learning more about the stories of my ancestors has helped me gain greater insight into who I am. I’ve spoken a lot about connecting with others, but this trip has brought me just as much connection to myself, which has been truly priceless.

August 23, 2025
Last full day in Hofsós
On my last full day in Hófsos, I woke up early. Right after opening my eyes and looking out the window from my bed, I saw a blue sky with small pink clouds floating by as the sun began to rise. I got ready earlier than usual because we were scheduled to welcome another cruise ship into the harbor, which would double the population of Hófsos for the fourth time this summer. It was a gorgeous day; the sun was shining, and the bright blue sky was only interrupted by a few wispy clouds.

I took out my bagpipes and stood on the rocks by the harbor, welcoming the guests with some music. After about half an hour of playing, I was assigned to my group, which I would guide on a tour of the town. This time, I assisted a small group—just one older couple from London. They had some mobility limitations, so I took them on a shorter tour, but we talked a great deal about the exhibits, and they had all sorts of questions. They were lovely, inquisitive, and very appreciative. They felt fortunate to have a private tour, as it allowed them to ask more questions instead of getting lost in a crowd.

After most of the guests returned to the ship, the tour guides and I sat outside to enjoy the sunshine. I even started to sweat! As we soaked in the warmth and sipped our coffee, David and I reminisced about how much more confident we had become in our ability to guide tours since our first one. We have both learned a great deal since arriving and have found our rhythm in providing an excellent experience for our guests.

Once the cruise ship set off for its next destination, the other tour guides headed home, and David and I stayed at the museum to greet any guests who might visit. Valgeir joined me for a while to chat before he left to tend to some horse-related duties. He mentioned how quickly my time here has flown by. I expressed how special this internship opportunity has been and how much I’ve learned about my ancestors and myself. He gave me a long hug before he left to tend to his horses.

---

The remainder of the day was slow-paced, much like the past few weeks, and I did my best to soak up the last moments of this year’s internship. We closed up a bit early, and I had the honor of lowering the flags for the final time. After locking up, I headed over to Brimnes to unwind a bit before my cousin Þora arrived. She arrived shortly after, and we briefly caught up on what we had been doing over the past few months before heading over to Vatn for dinner with Valgeir and Gunna.

Upon our arrival, we admired the stunning view; the whole day had been so gorgeous. The water was like glass, perfectly reflecting the clouds above. Valgeir had prepared a lovely meal for us, and Mallory, David, and one of Valgeir’s granddaughters joined us. We talked about our day, laughed, and shared stories, leaving my face sore from all the smiling. We also reflected on how special this experience had been. I shared some herbs I had gathered around Hófsos, presented in recycled jars that I had adorned with some hand-drawn labels. In return, they gave me some thoughtful gifts, including an authentic Icelandic flag from their flag shop and a hat featuring the name of their farm along with their farm number, which is displayed on all their sheep tags.

As we said our “see you later” goodbyes, I lingered a bit longer after David and Mallory left, wanting to savor each moment. I hugged both Valgeir and Gunna tightly, and we all got emotional; there was not a dry eye in sight. The most challenging part of this experience has been having to depart and say goodbye, at least for now. I have left a significant piece of my heart here in Hófsos, and they promised they would look after it until I return.

August 28, 2025
Goodbye to Hofsós
This week, I had to say goodbye to Hofsós, and it turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated. Words cannot truly express how special my time there was, and I will cherish this summer forever. I packed my belongings and cleaned up Brimnes for David to enjoy during his last few weeks there. When I closed the door of Brimnes for the final time, I was overwhelmed by a mix of sadness and gratitude. I felt sad that this chapter of my life was coming to an end, but I was also deeply grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I had experienced.

Soon it was time for the museum to open, and the day was about to begin. I said my final goodbyes and made sure to take a photo with Valgeir and Gunna, who all gave me long hugs. I have grown to love and care for them deeply. As Þóra and I drove out of Hófsos, I couldn’t help but cry for a while. I am so grateful to have had this beautiful experience, to have established such strong connections, and for the opportunity to connect more with my roots. I left a big piece of my heart there, and I can’t wait to return.

I recognize that this has been a life-altering experience, and I am grateful for the incredible opportunity I had. Throughout this journey, I explored many aspects of my heritage and discovered new and better ways to live. I gained a wealth of knowledge about history, which reinforced my belief that life is all about connection. Additionally, I developed a newfound confidence in myself, as I accomplished a significant amount independently and learned to enjoy my own company more than I had before. I realized that most of the time we are capable of far more than we give ourselves credit for, and if we remain open and curious, many incredible things can happen.

All photos courtesy of Amber Drake.