Iceland

Inspiring Iceland

Traverse this legendary landscape and leave forever inspired by the other-worldly beauty of Iceland with our high school summer travel program. This Nordic oasis transforms mundane into extraordinary. During our student trip to Iceland, you will stroll amid active glaciers, bathe in steaming lagoons, feel the welcoming warmth of the local people, and swim the crystal-clear water between continents. As the development of the outside world accelerates, the cinematic horizons of Iceland remain timeless – you’ll earn 20 hours of community service working to protect and restore the natural environment through reforestation and coastal cleanup projects. All while learning who you, and what the world, can be in the land of fire and ice.

  • Days
  • Service
  • Students
  • Age
  • Availability
  • Tuition (USD)
Session 2 / Jul 9 - Jul 23, 2024
  • 15
  • 20 hours
  • 12
  • 14 - 18
  • Limited
  • $6,670

Focus

  • Humanitarian Support
  • Infrastructure Development
  • Environmental Conservation

Adventure

  • Cultural Exploration
  • Hiking & Walking Tours
  • Water Sports
  • Land Sports

Environment

  • Urban
  • Rural
  • Mountains
  • Ocean

The Journey

Your Adventure Starts Here

Halló! Departure for Iceland!

Our journey begins! Students have the option of flying to Keflavik (KEF) via New York (JFK) on a preferred group itinerary, or students can fly independently. For students flying via JFK, GoBeyond arranges for an airport representative to assist with the transfer. In some cases, this representative is one of the group leaders and flies with the students. In other cases, he/she is a local contact responsible for airport assistance but will not be on the flight to Keflavik. Due to time zone differences, our group flight typically lands in Iceland the day after departure.

Iceland Blue Lagoon High School Travel

Itinerary Activities

Orientation & the Blue Lagoon

After arrival in Iceland, students are met at the airport by GoBeyond’s professional staff and transferred to the famed Blue Lagoon. These unique blue waters originate more than 6,500 feet below the surface, where they’re tapped by the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant for hot water and electricity. Rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, the Blue Lagoon offers students the perfect environment to relax after a long night of travel. After a program introduction and lunch at the local cafe, students are then transported to our night’s accommodation for orientation and icebreakers.

community-service-teen-travel-iceland-snorkeling
Adventure Activities

Snorkeling at Silfra

Care for a swim between the Eurasian and North American continental plates? The Silfra fissure offers students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that. World renown for its crystal clear waters – where visibility can reach over 100 meters – Silfra stuns visitors with its deep blue waters, dark lava rock, and vibrantly colored algae. Originating as melt water from the nearby Langjökull glacier, the waters are filtered underground through porous lava rock for 30-100 years, emerging at Silfra so pure that you can drink straight from the fissure.

Explore Iceland Summer Service Program
Adventure Activities

Glacier Walk

Students strap on their crampons and experience a unique adventure on ice. Beginning as fallen snow that’s then compressed under its own weight – moving almost imperceptibly like slow rivers – glaciers are as beautiful as they are fascinating. GoBeyond students have the opportunity to learn more about these natural wonders and the risks they face, while also taking part in a small hiking tour of the retreating yet accessible Sólheimajökull glacier.

Teen Summer Program In Iceland
Adventure Activities

Horseback Riding

Introduced by the first settlers from Norway in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Icelandic is a small yet hardy horse, descendant from a breed now extinct outside Iceland’s borders. Commonly seen throughout the countryside, these horses display a multitude of colors and patterns and add yet another classic element to Iceland’s picturesque vistas. Students spend an afternoon riding these personable animals while exploring local farms and contemplating the simpler way of life still present in the hearts of Iceland’s rural peoples.

Iceland Whale Watching Summer Program
Adventure Activities

Whale Watching

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a tour of the incredible marine life. During the summer months, over 20 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises – including Humpback, Minke, and Blue Whales – gather in the coastal waters to feed on the bountiful krill and fish. Departing from the quaint fishing village and “Whale Capital” of Húsavík in the northern part of the country, students hop on and enjoy a small charter to get up close and personal with these majestic sea creatures.

Summer Volunteer Community Service Program High School Iceland

Itinerary Activities

Service & Sustainability Study at Sólheimar

Considered by many to be the oldest eco-village in the world, Sólheimar first began in 1930 as a children’s home. Today, the village has evolved to serve the young and old alike. Over 100 residents with and without special needs live and work in harmony with the natural surroundings. As a pioneer in organic farming and sustainable living, students spend some time learning about the center, participate in arts and crafts workshops, and give back to needed infrastructure projects such as greenhouse upkeep, painting, and trail maintenance.

Travel To Iceland For Community Service
Save The Forest In Iceland Volunteer Program

Program Focus

Exploring & Restoring the Icelandic Environment

Browse through photos of Iceland’s vast and dramatic vistas of beautifully open land and you might be surprised to learn that over a third of Iceland was once forestland. Today, a mere 2% of those forests remain.

Dating back to the early agrarian settlers, human land use has greatly altered Iceland’s landscape over time. The once extensive birchwood forests have been replaced by agricultural land and grazing habitat – a double-edged sword as livestock feed on baby trees preventing any hope of forestland regeneration. Today, due to land use practices coupled with climate change and an exploding tourism industry, Iceland is seeing unprecedented pressure on its natural resources. It’s estimated that 40% of the land is now severely degraded.

The GoBeyond Iceland high school travel tour offers students a unique opportunity – not only to explore one of the world’s top nature destinations – but also to lend a hand to critical environmental initiatives for the good of its people. Working with local non-profits and governmental organizations, we seek to educate ourselves while making a difference through conservation and preservation projects.

Meet Our Service Partners
“GoBeyond is such an amazing program that lets students discover and explore countries they never thought they would ever go to. Combining service and excursions to become totally immersed in the country is absolutely wonderful.”
Rachel S. Hollywood, FL
Rachel S
Gobeyond Iceland Brochure Catalog

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Get Our Free Brochure

Full of detailed information about our journeys, staff, and FAQs for you to access anytime
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Closing Activities

The last days are always so hard! To round off their high school summer travel program, students have a grand feast in Reykjavik on their final night, and, perhaps, shed a few tears during our slide show and closing program. Without fail, there is a mix of emotions – there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. On the final day of the trip, students are transferred to the Keflavik airport by our professional staff, checked in, then travel on to their respective homes and families. Yet the journey continues on for each individual in undefinable ways. The stories we make on GoBeyond Iceland are ones we never forget.

GoBeyond Iceland Slideshow 1
Husavik Iceland Whale Watching
Community Service Program In Iceland For Teens
Iceland High School Horseback Riding Trip
Best Community Service Program For Teens
Community Service In Iceland
By Olivia B.

La Laguna

Day 14 started off with a bright, and early 7 A.M. wake up. At 7:30, we headed to the Blue…

Read More
By Macy B.

Pönnukaka from Heaven

Ayooo!! Day 13 was most definitely the tastiest day of the trip. Wake up was at 7:30, an early morning.…

Read More
By Sofia V.

Everybody Say FOSS!

Today I woke everyone up at 7:45 am. We had a delicious breakfast along with cups of tea. After that,…

Read More
By Avery V.

Horsin’ Around

Day 11! Today was the group’s last day of service at Solheimar, and it was full of fun. Our morning…

Read More
By Emily S.

A Day in the Greenhouse

We all woke up bright and early at 8:00 after having a full day of service prior. After having a…

Read More
By Erik S.

First Full Day at Sólheimar

Today was our first day at Sólheimar after a full day of traveling the day before. I was the leader…

Read More
By Jack B.

The World’s Greatest Hot Dogs

What up fans? Day 6 was the biggest day of our trip by far – action-packed from 7 A.M. until…

Read More
By Maxwell H.

One Sapling at a Time

Today everyone woke up to a warm and hearty breakfast of eggs, potatoes, and breakfast conversation. After breakfast we all…

Read More
By Charlotte D.

Where the Wildlife At?

We woke up this morning around 8:45 again for breakfast before our seven-hour travel day out of Reykjavik. After some…

Read More
By Luke C.

Between Two Plates

Our first full day was packed full of fun activities. We all woke up at around 8:30am ( all being…

Read More

Trip Logs

Halló! Departure for Iceland!

Our journey begins! Students have the option of flying to Keflavik (KEF) via New York (JFK) on a preferred group itinerary, or students can fly independently. For students flying via JFK, GoBeyond arranges for an airport representative to assist with the transfer. In some cases, this representative is one of the group leaders and flies with the students. In other cases, he/she is a local contact responsible for airport assistance but will not be on the flight to Keflavik. Due to time zone differences, our group flight typically lands in Iceland the day after departure.

Iceland Blue Lagoon High School Travel

Itinerary Activities

Orientation & the Blue Lagoon

After arrival in Iceland, students are met at the airport by GoBeyond’s professional staff and transferred to the famed Blue Lagoon. These unique blue waters originate more than 6,500 feet below the surface, where they’re tapped by the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant for hot water and electricity. Rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, the Blue Lagoon offers students the perfect environment to relax after a long night of travel. After a program introduction and lunch at the local cafe, students are then transported to our night’s accommodation for orientation and icebreakers.

community-service-teen-travel-iceland-snorkeling
Adventure Activities

Snorkeling at Silfra

Care for a swim between the Eurasian and North American continental plates? The Silfra fissure offers students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that. World renown for its crystal clear waters – where visibility can reach over 100 meters – Silfra stuns visitors with its deep blue waters, dark lava rock, and vibrantly colored algae. Originating as melt water from the nearby Langjökull glacier, the waters are filtered underground through porous lava rock for 30-100 years, emerging at Silfra so pure that you can drink straight from the fissure.

Explore Iceland Summer Service Program
Adventure Activities

Glacier Walk

Students strap on their crampons and experience a unique adventure on ice. Beginning as fallen snow that’s then compressed under its own weight – moving almost imperceptibly like slow rivers – glaciers are as beautiful as they are fascinating. GoBeyond students have the opportunity to learn more about these natural wonders and the risks they face, while also taking part in a small hiking tour of the retreating yet accessible Sólheimajökull glacier.

Teen Summer Program In Iceland
Adventure Activities

Horseback Riding

Introduced by the first settlers from Norway in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Icelandic is a small yet hardy horse, descendant from a breed now extinct outside Iceland’s borders. Commonly seen throughout the countryside, these horses display a multitude of colors and patterns and add yet another classic element to Iceland’s picturesque vistas. Students spend an afternoon riding these personable animals while exploring local farms and contemplating the simpler way of life still present in the hearts of Iceland’s rural peoples.

Iceland Whale Watching Summer Program
Adventure Activities

Whale Watching

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a tour of the incredible marine life. During the summer months, over 20 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises – including Humpback, Minke, and Blue Whales – gather in the coastal waters to feed on the bountiful krill and fish. Departing from the quaint fishing village and “Whale Capital” of Húsavík in the northern part of the country, students hop on and enjoy a small charter to get up close and personal with these majestic sea creatures.

Save The Forest In Iceland Volunteer Program

Program Focus

Exploring & Restoring the Icelandic Environment

Browse through photos of Iceland’s vast and dramatic vistas of beautifully open land and you might be surprised to learn that over a third of Iceland was once forestland. Today, a mere 2% of those forests remain.

Dating back to the early agrarian settlers, human land use has greatly altered Iceland’s landscape over time. The once extensive birchwood forests have been replaced by agricultural land and grazing habitat – a double-edged sword as livestock feed on baby trees preventing any hope of forestland regeneration. Today, due to land use practices coupled with climate change and an exploding tourism industry, Iceland is seeing unprecedented pressure on its natural resources. It’s estimated that 40% of the land is now severely degraded.

The GoBeyond Iceland high school travel tour offers students a unique opportunity – not only to explore one of the world’s top nature destinations – but also to lend a hand to critical environmental initiatives for the good of its people. Working with local non-profits and governmental organizations, we seek to educate ourselves while making a difference through conservation and preservation projects.

Meet Our Service Partners
“GoBeyond is such an amazing program that lets students discover and explore countries they never thought they would ever go to. Combining service and excursions to become totally immersed in the country is absolutely wonderful.”
Rachel S. Hollywood, FL
Rachel S
Summer Volunteer Community Service Program High School Iceland

Itinerary Activities

Service & Sustainability Study at Sólheimar

Considered by many to be the oldest eco-village in the world, Sólheimar first began in 1930 as a children’s home. Today, the village has evolved to serve the young and old alike. Over 100 residents with and without special needs live and work in harmony with the natural surroundings. As a pioneer in organic farming and sustainable living, students spend some time learning about the center, participate in arts and crafts workshops, and give back to needed infrastructure projects such as greenhouse upkeep, painting, and trail maintenance.

Gobeyond Iceland Brochure Catalog

"*" indicates required fields

Get Our Free Brochure

Full of detailed information about our journeys, staff, and FAQs for you to access anytime
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Travel To Iceland For Community Service

Closing Activities

The last days are always so hard! To round off their high school summer travel program, students have a grand feast in Reykjavik on their final night, and, perhaps, shed a few tears during our slide show and closing program. Without fail, there is a mix of emotions – there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. On the final day of the trip, students are transferred to the Keflavik airport by our professional staff, checked in, then travel on to their respective homes and families. Yet the journey continues on for each individual in undefinable ways. The stories we make on GoBeyond Iceland are ones we never forget.

GoBeyond Iceland Slideshow 1
Husavik Iceland Whale Watching
Community Service Program In Iceland For Teens
Iceland High School Horseback Riding Trip
Best Community Service Program For Teens
Community Service In Iceland
By Olivia B.

La Laguna

Day 14 started off with a bright, and early 7 A.M. wake up. At 7:30, we headed to the Blue…

Read More
By Macy B.

Pönnukaka from Heaven

Ayooo!! Day 13 was most definitely the tastiest day of the trip. Wake up was at 7:30, an early morning.…

Read More
By Sofia V.

Everybody Say FOSS!

Today I woke everyone up at 7:45 am. We had a delicious breakfast along with cups of tea. After that,…

Read More
By Avery V.

Horsin’ Around

Day 11! Today was the group’s last day of service at Solheimar, and it was full of fun. Our morning…

Read More
By Emily S.

A Day in the Greenhouse

We all woke up bright and early at 8:00 after having a full day of service prior. After having a…

Read More
By Erik S.

First Full Day at Sólheimar

Today was our first day at Sólheimar after a full day of traveling the day before. I was the leader…

Read More
By Jack B.

The World’s Greatest Hot Dogs

What up fans? Day 6 was the biggest day of our trip by far – action-packed from 7 A.M. until…

Read More
By Maxwell H.

One Sapling at a Time

Today everyone woke up to a warm and hearty breakfast of eggs, potatoes, and breakfast conversation. After breakfast we all…

Read More
By Charlotte D.

Where the Wildlife At?

We woke up this morning around 8:45 again for breakfast before our seven-hour travel day out of Reykjavik. After some…

Read More
By Luke C.

Between Two Plates

Our first full day was packed full of fun activities. We all woke up at around 8:30am ( all being…

Read More

Trip Logs

Need More Information?

Affiliates

GoBeyond is a proud supporter of local, national, and international service organizations around the world.

On the student trip to Iceland, students have the opportunity to work closely with local people on projects where the need is authentic and the results are long-lasting. When our time is up, we provide much needed financial help with a direct donation, which helps fund partner projects in an ongoing way. Consider your impact…join GoBeyond this summer and make a difference!

  • Landgraedslan Logo Bw

    Soil Conservation Service

    The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland is a governmental agency under the Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources. The main tasks of the SCSI include combating desertification, sand encroachment and other soil erosion, promotion of sustainable land use and reclamation and restoration of degraded land.

  • Blái Herinn Logo

    Blái herinn

    Blái herinn, or the "Blue Army," is an informal organization founded by sport diver Tómas J. Knútsson from Sandgerdi, southwest Iceland. He was disgusted by all the rubbish in Iceland’s harbors and elsewhere and didn’t want visitors to see the mess. Knútsson uses an old blue army truck with a boom in front and a platform in the back to remove larger pieces of rubbish from beaches, such as the heavy remains of fishing nets.

  • Solh Logo Eng

    Sólheimar

    Solheimar is a world renowned sustainable community known for its artistic and ecological atmosphere where about 100 people live and work together. The Solheimar community focuses on the growth and development of man and nature. The social emphasis is that different individuals are offered variable opportunities to work, live, and socialize.

Need To Know

Is this journey right for me?

This high school summer travel program is for the student looking for a travel experience with an incredible amount of variety. Whether you prefer the ocean, mountains, countryside, or city – Iceland offers all of it within just a short distance. Students applying for the student trip to Iceland should be ready for authentic and engaging experiences in both service work and active excursions. If you enjoy exploring natural wonders, participating in adventure sports, and stretching the borders of your comfort zone, then this is the journey for you.

What's the group like?

There’s really no rigid mold that GoBeyond participants are cut from. Since our students come from different backgrounds all over the world, the groups end up being naturally diverse. Everyone arrives with different goals, expectations, hopes, and fears but they quickly find common ground and begin to bond. The GoBeyond environment allows team members to connect quickly and become closer friends than anyone would expect. Many students report leaving feeling as though they had known their fellow students much longer than they actually had.

Our philosophy revolves around small group sizes that are still large enough to foster a sense of community. For the student trip to Iceland, we’ve found that a group size of maximum 12 students works best. This high school summer travel program does not require any previous experience, skills, or language fluency – only a willingness to get involved and appreciate each incredible adventure.

Who are the staff?

GoBeyond is proud to attract and recruit the best in our field. Our summer staff consists of avid world travelers, highly qualified professionals, and fun and experienced facilitators and educators. All members of our team are dynamic, multi-talented, and passionate individuals with a devotion and commitment to the safety and experience of our students.

The average age of our summer staff is 26. Staff skills are journey specific, such as holding a maritime license in the BVIs or having a background in childcare for China. All staff are First Aid and CPR certified, and many hold advanced training certificates such as Wilderness First Responder or EMT. Along with local guides and our community service partners, the ratio of staff to students is approximately 1:5. This enables close interaction and individualized attention during the journey.

Learn More About Our Staff

What do I need to bring?

GoBeyond students are responsible for carrying their luggage from place to place. As such, we recommend that you keep things simple and avoid over packing. Students are given the opportunity to do laundry throughout the trip, so there’s no need to pack several weeks’ worth of clothing.

Our hope is that families will have minimal purchases prior to the trip, so we’ve compiled our packing lists in a way that you’ll find most of what you need in your closet at home. Around mid to late March, we make available our Pre-Trip Packet to enrolled students, which contains a detailed packing list for this year’s journey. If you’d like to see last year’s packing list as an example, you can download it here.

Download Sample Packing List

During the trip, students will need an emergency/travel credit or debit card in addition to personal spending cash. The credit or debit card (minimum balance of $400) is intended to cover travel costs to and from the program and any unanticipated costs that might arise such as clinic or hospital visits. While not required, if you are concerned about loss or theft, students do have the option of storing their credit or debit card with our staff during the journey.

GoBeyond will pay all major program costs while traveling and working, but there will also be opportunities for students to spend money on personal items. The most common expenses include snacks, souvenirs, and phone/internet time (calling cards, internet centers, etc.). Based on our past experience, some students will spend less and some will spend more than our recommendation ($300). Judge this amount by the spending habits of your student. Please set up boundaries for its use, as GoBeyond cannot be responsible for monitoring student spending. If you are concerned about loss or theft, students can give staff up to $150 of their spending cash to be put into safekeeping/drawn later.

Where do we stay?

GoBeyond is not a luxury journey; however, we utilize comfortable, clean, and safe accommodations during our trips. In Iceland, our students typically stay at local hotels, hostels, and B&Bs.

What do we eat?

GoBeyond’s tuition covers all meals after arrival in the host country. We strive for healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals, and serve a mixture of local and international fare (including Western). For our Iceland journey, we primarily eat at the hotels/hostels/B&Bs for breakfast and local restaurants for lunch and dinner.

Note, as GoBeyond is a health-conscious program, our staff do not provide large quantities of “junk” food (i.e. sodas, chips, candy bars, large desserts, etc.). Students can always supplement our meals and snacks by shopping locally for their own items.

During the application process, families can inform us of any dietary allergies or restrictions. We are usually able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, pescetarians, etc., as well as various food allergies. However, if your student has a severe allergy to peanuts or other common substances, please call our office to discuss the options.

Nitty Gritty

Flights
Are flights included in the tuition?

Since students join us from all over the world, the cost of transportation to and from the destination country is not included in the program tuition.

Who should we contact to book travel?

Helping to coordinate our students’ travel is of vital importance – and a mammoth task! For this reason, we strongly suggest that all families start by contacting our travel coordinator, Leah Hernandez of TRC Travel Center (T: +1.281.528.7727 or 800.329.9000 • E: leahctn68@hotmail.com). Even if you are not originating in the U.S., Leah will be able to provide options and guidance.

When should I book flights?

We suggest you wait until March 20th, and here’s why. The quality of the experience is in large part defined by the makeup of the student team, and unfortunately we can’t determine the status of a specific journey or session until we receive the appropriate number of enrollments to guarantee a great experience (which is typically no fewer than six). Therefore, unless you select a ticket fare type or flight insurance policy that allows flexibility for date modifications, refunds, or credits, we suggest that families wait until after March 20th to book their international flights.

What is the preferred itinerary for U.S.-based students?

Each year, GoBeyond works with TRC Travel Center to select a preferred itinerary to/from Keflavik (KEF) via New York (JFK). GoBeyond strongly encourages U.S.-based families to book on our recommended route, so that as many students as possible can fly together as a team. Please bear in mind, however, that GoBeyond has no control over the number of participants that choose to fly via JFK. Depending on the desires of other participants, the number of students traveling on the recommended route can vary greatly.

What about an alternate itinerary that suits us better?

Since students come from all over the U.S. and world, it is not required that students book on our preferred itinerary.  For non-U.S. based students, those looking to use frequent flier miles, or others who are not booking with TRC Travel Center or on our preferred flight itinerary, please contact our office prior to booking to ensure you are arriving and departing Iceland at appropriate times. Note that the journey start date (as shown above) is the date upon which the GoBeyond group flight departs New York. Due to time zone differences, the group flight may actually land in KEF the day after. The journey end date is the date upon which the GoBeyond group flight departs KEF.

Does GoBeyond provide support on travel days?

Yes. We understand that travel days can be stressful for both parents and students, so no matter what time of the day or night, our office team actively monitors and supports our participants during travel. We require students to travel with a mobile phone with domestic data capability so we can monitor their progress and communicate directly if necessary. For certain flight connections, GoBeyond also offers on-site airport assistance, yet our experience has shown that being active and available to everyone electronically is often more effective in quickly troubleshooting snags than being physically present in just one location. For this specific journey…

  • Preferred Itinerary (Outbound flight, JFK to KEF) – In some instances, particularly for the first session of the summer, GoBeyond has a group leader who flies with the students on the preferred itinerary at the start of the trip. When a group leader is not able to travel with the students on this outbound flight, GoBeyond will typically hire a representative for the JFK airport who is responsible for helping troubleshoot any flight/connection issues that may arise.
  • Preferred Itinerary (Inbound flight, KEF to JFK) – On occasion, particularly for the last session of the summer, a group leader will return to the U.S. on the preferred flight with the students. If a staff member is not able to return with the students, GoBeyond will not typically hire an in-airport representative for JFK. This is due to the lack of an on-site representative’s ability to attend to customs/immigration issues and ongoing connection coordination when they do not arrive with the students.

For more information on airport assistance, please contact our office. We will be glad to let you know what type of support we typically offer for your journey (specific plans will only be available nearer the travel date).

Can I leave a program a day or two early or arrive a day or two late?

We understand that commitments at home may necessitate a student wanting to arrive or depart from our program on days other than our standard published dates. Each scenario is unique, and while we accommodate these requests when we can, we need to plan appropriately so that we know those additional staff resources are in place to ensure a safe, well-coordinated travel experience. We don’t charge extra tuition for accommodating non-standard travel, yet we do require that parents cover the direct costs associated with any additional staff travel, off-site accommodation, and meals. Please use this form to initiate a formal request for us to consider your non-standard travel wishes and a representative will contact you to discuss possibilities.

Travel Docs & Vaccinations
Travel Docs & Visas

GoBeyond cannot apply for passports or visas on a student’s behalf, but we can provide the information you need to do so yourself. At the time of writing, students traveling on U.S. passports do not need a visa but must have 6+ months of validity on their passport after the departure date from Iceland. For the most up-to-date and thorough information, please visit travel.state.gov. Students traveling on non-U.S. passports should verify passport and visa requirements for your nationality by contacting your local Iceland embassy or consulate.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

We do not currently require proof of vaccination in order to enroll.

Other Immunizations

GoBeyond understands that families have varying opinions on vaccinations. Some greatly desire the precaution; others prefer to avoid possible side effects of certain medications such as anti-malarials. Coupled with the fact that each student has unique medical considerations known best by his or her doctor, GoBeyond does not supply medical advice. We recommend that all families refer to the expertise of the CDC (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel), their health care providers, and/or a travel clinic.

Itinerary
Living in the moment

Though the fundamentals of our journeys do not change, specific journey logistics evolve over time. It is typical for our community service partners to not choose our project areas until late spring/early summer, thus the final touches to our itineraries are not always set until then. The journey overview portions on this page should give all families a basic understanding of the kinds of activities we do on the journey. We also suggest last year’s Trip Updates if you need more descriptions. For the most up-to-date information on our expected itineraries, feel free to Contact our office.

With that in mind, we encourage all participants to “live in the moment” while on the journey. Travel, even on organized trips, requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. Your journey country may not be as efficient, orderly, and/or timely as you are used to. We hope you’ll take the bumps in stride, and enjoy the adventure!

Service Hours
Service Hours & Letters

After the completion of summer, all students (U.S. and non-U.S. students alike) receive a GoBeyond service letter and transcript reflecting their participation on the program.*  The GoBeyond service letter and transcript describes the type of service work performed, the number of hours awarded, and is printed and signed on our letterhead.

GoBeyond service hours are accepted by most high schools/colleges/institutions.  Please note, however, that every school is a bit different. Some schools have special community service requirements for graduation, etc., such as students performing a certain number of service hours locally rather than abroad.  We recommend that students/families check with their school administration prior to enrolling to ensure GoBeyond service hours meet their requirements for community service participation.

* Presence alone does not necessarily earn students the community service hours. GoBeyond reserves the right to deduct hours due to non-participation and/or early dismissal. Participants who work hard and participate in all program activities can expect to receive the full number of service hours available for their journey.

Tuition
GoBeyond tuition fees cover the following:
  • All in-country journey accommodation, meals, and ground transportation
  • Full-time service adventure staff, local guides, and tips
  • All group activities including service projects and materials, sight-seeing trips, and educational excursions
  • Physical and monetary donations to our partner organizations
GoBeyond tuition does not cover the following:
  • Air transportation, including in-country flights, are not included since our students come from all over the world
  • Required emergency evacuation insurance & International SOS and MedAire Membership ($85 for 21-day programs & $60 for 14-day programs) LEARN MORE >
  • Medical insurance, and optional trip cancellation insurance
  • Fees associated with obtaining passports, visas, vaccinations airport taxes & baggage fees
  • Personal spending money
OUR 5-8 WEEK Journeys

Any consecutive programs may be joined to form one extended course. In the interim between programs, students stay with staff. The total cost is determined by combining the cost of each program and subtracting the 5% extended course discount.  This discount also applies toward any trips adjoining our sister program, ActionQuest. ActionQuest and/or GoBeyond enrollment for any consecutive programs in the same summer will be considered as a single extended program in the event of withdrawal or dismissal from the trip at any time.

Financial Aid
Every year, GoBeyond awards a number of partial tuition scholarships

The financial aid budget is determined by the GoBeyond Directors and is allocated from the organization’s operating budget. Eligibility is based on a number of factors, including financial need, past academic performance, community involvement, and promise of success on the journey.

As students come from all over the world, flight and travel costs are not included at any scholarship level, nor spending money and other additional costs associated with traveling abroad (vaccinations, doctor visits, visas, etc.). If you know that you are unable to fund your experience without financial assistance, then please visit our Financial Aid pages for more information and the application.

  • Flights
  • Travel Docs & Vaccinations
  • Itinerary
  • Service Hours
  • Tuition
  • Financial Aid
  • Are flights included in the tuition?

    Since students join us from all over the world, the cost of transportation to and from the destination country is not included in the program tuition.

    Who should we contact to book travel?

    Helping to coordinate our students’ travel is of vital importance – and a mammoth task! For this reason, we strongly suggest that all families start by contacting our travel coordinator, Leah Hernandez of TRC Travel Center (T: +1.281.528.7727 or 800.329.9000 • E: leahctn68@hotmail.com). Even if you are not originating in the U.S., Leah will be able to provide options and guidance.

    When should I book flights?

    We suggest you wait until March 20th, and here’s why. The quality of the experience is in large part defined by the makeup of the student team, and unfortunately we can’t determine the status of a specific journey or session until we receive the appropriate number of enrollments to guarantee a great experience (which is typically no fewer than six). Therefore, unless you select a ticket fare type or flight insurance policy that allows flexibility for date modifications, refunds, or credits, we suggest that families wait until after March 20th to book their international flights.

    What is the preferred itinerary for U.S.-based students?

    Each year, GoBeyond works with TRC Travel Center to select a preferred itinerary to/from Keflavik (KEF) via New York (JFK). GoBeyond strongly encourages U.S.-based families to book on our recommended route, so that as many students as possible can fly together as a team. Please bear in mind, however, that GoBeyond has no control over the number of participants that choose to fly via JFK. Depending on the desires of other participants, the number of students traveling on the recommended route can vary greatly.

    What about an alternate itinerary that suits us better?

    Since students come from all over the U.S. and world, it is not required that students book on our preferred itinerary.  For non-U.S. based students, those looking to use frequent flier miles, or others who are not booking with TRC Travel Center or on our preferred flight itinerary, please contact our office prior to booking to ensure you are arriving and departing Iceland at appropriate times. Note that the journey start date (as shown above) is the date upon which the GoBeyond group flight departs New York. Due to time zone differences, the group flight may actually land in KEF the day after. The journey end date is the date upon which the GoBeyond group flight departs KEF.

    Does GoBeyond provide support on travel days?

    Yes. We understand that travel days can be stressful for both parents and students, so no matter what time of the day or night, our office team actively monitors and supports our participants during travel. We require students to travel with a mobile phone with domestic data capability so we can monitor their progress and communicate directly if necessary. For certain flight connections, GoBeyond also offers on-site airport assistance, yet our experience has shown that being active and available to everyone electronically is often more effective in quickly troubleshooting snags than being physically present in just one location. For this specific journey…

    • Preferred Itinerary (Outbound flight, JFK to KEF) – In some instances, particularly for the first session of the summer, GoBeyond has a group leader who flies with the students on the preferred itinerary at the start of the trip. When a group leader is not able to travel with the students on this outbound flight, GoBeyond will typically hire a representative for the JFK airport who is responsible for helping troubleshoot any flight/connection issues that may arise.
    • Preferred Itinerary (Inbound flight, KEF to JFK) – On occasion, particularly for the last session of the summer, a group leader will return to the U.S. on the preferred flight with the students. If a staff member is not able to return with the students, GoBeyond will not typically hire an in-airport representative for JFK. This is due to the lack of an on-site representative’s ability to attend to customs/immigration issues and ongoing connection coordination when they do not arrive with the students.

    For more information on airport assistance, please contact our office. We will be glad to let you know what type of support we typically offer for your journey (specific plans will only be available nearer the travel date).

    Can I leave a program a day or two early or arrive a day or two late?

    We understand that commitments at home may necessitate a student wanting to arrive or depart from our program on days other than our standard published dates. Each scenario is unique, and while we accommodate these requests when we can, we need to plan appropriately so that we know those additional staff resources are in place to ensure a safe, well-coordinated travel experience. We don’t charge extra tuition for accommodating non-standard travel, yet we do require that parents cover the direct costs associated with any additional staff travel, off-site accommodation, and meals. Please use this form to initiate a formal request for us to consider your non-standard travel wishes and a representative will contact you to discuss possibilities.

  • Travel Docs & Visas

    GoBeyond cannot apply for passports or visas on a student’s behalf, but we can provide the information you need to do so yourself. At the time of writing, students traveling on U.S. passports do not need a visa but must have 6+ months of validity on their passport after the departure date from Iceland. For the most up-to-date and thorough information, please visit travel.state.gov. Students traveling on non-U.S. passports should verify passport and visa requirements for your nationality by contacting your local Iceland embassy or consulate.

    COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

    We do not currently require proof of vaccination in order to enroll.

    Other Immunizations

    GoBeyond understands that families have varying opinions on vaccinations. Some greatly desire the precaution; others prefer to avoid possible side effects of certain medications such as anti-malarials. Coupled with the fact that each student has unique medical considerations known best by his or her doctor, GoBeyond does not supply medical advice. We recommend that all families refer to the expertise of the CDC (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel), their health care providers, and/or a travel clinic.

  • Living in the moment

    Though the fundamentals of our journeys do not change, specific journey logistics evolve over time. It is typical for our community service partners to not choose our project areas until late spring/early summer, thus the final touches to our itineraries are not always set until then. The journey overview portions on this page should give all families a basic understanding of the kinds of activities we do on the journey. We also suggest last year’s Trip Updates if you need more descriptions. For the most up-to-date information on our expected itineraries, feel free to Contact our office.

    With that in mind, we encourage all participants to “live in the moment” while on the journey. Travel, even on organized trips, requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. Your journey country may not be as efficient, orderly, and/or timely as you are used to. We hope you’ll take the bumps in stride, and enjoy the adventure!

  • Service Hours & Letters

    After the completion of summer, all students (U.S. and non-U.S. students alike) receive a GoBeyond service letter and transcript reflecting their participation on the program.*  The GoBeyond service letter and transcript describes the type of service work performed, the number of hours awarded, and is printed and signed on our letterhead.

    GoBeyond service hours are accepted by most high schools/colleges/institutions.  Please note, however, that every school is a bit different. Some schools have special community service requirements for graduation, etc., such as students performing a certain number of service hours locally rather than abroad.  We recommend that students/families check with their school administration prior to enrolling to ensure GoBeyond service hours meet their requirements for community service participation.

    * Presence alone does not necessarily earn students the community service hours. GoBeyond reserves the right to deduct hours due to non-participation and/or early dismissal. Participants who work hard and participate in all program activities can expect to receive the full number of service hours available for their journey.

  • GoBeyond tuition fees cover the following:
    • All in-country journey accommodation, meals, and ground transportation
    • Full-time service adventure staff, local guides, and tips
    • All group activities including service projects and materials, sight-seeing trips, and educational excursions
    • Physical and monetary donations to our partner organizations
    GoBeyond tuition does not cover the following:
    • Air transportation, including in-country flights, are not included since our students come from all over the world
    • Required emergency evacuation insurance & International SOS and MedAire Membership ($85 for 21-day programs & $60 for 14-day programs) LEARN MORE >
    • Medical insurance, and optional trip cancellation insurance
    • Fees associated with obtaining passports, visas, vaccinations airport taxes & baggage fees
    • Personal spending money
    OUR 5-8 WEEK Journeys

    Any consecutive programs may be joined to form one extended course. In the interim between programs, students stay with staff. The total cost is determined by combining the cost of each program and subtracting the 5% extended course discount.  This discount also applies toward any trips adjoining our sister program, ActionQuest. ActionQuest and/or GoBeyond enrollment for any consecutive programs in the same summer will be considered as a single extended program in the event of withdrawal or dismissal from the trip at any time.

  • Every year, GoBeyond awards a number of partial tuition scholarships

    The financial aid budget is determined by the GoBeyond Directors and is allocated from the organization’s operating budget. Eligibility is based on a number of factors, including financial need, past academic performance, community involvement, and promise of success on the journey.

    As students come from all over the world, flight and travel costs are not included at any scholarship level, nor spending money and other additional costs associated with traveling abroad (vaccinations, doctor visits, visas, etc.). If you know that you are unable to fund your experience without financial assistance, then please visit our Financial Aid pages for more information and the application.

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Upcoming Sessions

Our summer 2024 dates and costs for this journey are not yet published. Check back, or give us a call (+1.941.924.2115) to discuss our future offerings.