Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice: Icelandic Health, Wellness and Recreation
Program
Iceland is known as the 3rd happiest country in the world. During this program, the participants will have the opportunity to directly experience Midnight Sun (longer daytime hours), hiking in nature, birding, immerse in the most well recognized subterranean spas, such as Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon where various wellness practices, including float therapy, in-water massage, hydrotherapy in geothermal water (healing water) and food as medicine are explored. We will experience and witness how Icelanders use hydrotherapy at Seljalandsfoss and Seljavallalaug (pools) at variety of locations, such as Laugardalslaug, Sundhöllin í Reykjavík, Nauthólsvík (located on the only white beach), Lágafellslaug and Sundlaug Kópavogs.
Itinerary
- Visit the Blue Lagoon, subterranean spa
- Experience hydrotherapy
- Hike to see puffins
- Immerse in the Icelandic culture and landscape
Academics
GS300 Faculty-led Education Abroad to Iceland / HH570 Sp. Topic: Icelandic Health, Wellness & Recreation
This course consists of a virtual pre-travel meetings, 1-wk trip to Iceland, and a post-trip online class activity. The aim of this course is to explore the health statistics in Iceland in comparative to the ones in the US as well as experience some of the geographically unique health promotion strategies in Iceland, such as indoor swimming, geothermal spa, various activities in nature. The class participants are expected to write travel journal as well as photo/videographic journal throughout the trip.
Faculty Leaders
Dr. Sachiko Komagata, PT, PhD, NBC-HWC, ACSM-CPE, is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Integrative Health in the Department of Integrative Health & Exercise Science at Georgian Court University. Before GCU, she worked in an acute care hospital in the suburb of Philadelphia and taught graduate programs part time at UMDNJ, Thomas Jefferson University, and Temple University. She is a Certified Wellness Coach as well as an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist. While she is originally from Japan, she has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia including England, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Spain, Greece, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Australia. She loves eating food from around all corners of the globe and if you are lucky, you may find her cooking authentic food with her students on campus.
Coach Jasmina Perazic is the Women’s Basketball coach at Georgian Court University. She
is entering her 11th year at the helm of the program. Coach Jazz is originally
from Serbia, she grew up in Germany before moving to the US for college. Coach
Jazz has traveled extensively throughout the world. She lived in Italy,
Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, and Brazil during her professional basketball
playing career. Coach Jazz has organized and led trips to Serbia,
Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy for both, Monmouth University and Georgian Court
University Women’s Basketball. Her thirst for adventure led her to Iceland on a
few occasions where she fell in love with everything Icelandic. The country is
made for outdoor adventures with its unique and incredibly beautiful nature.
Perfect for hiking, kayaking, whale watching, and relaxing in the famous Blue
Lagoon.
Program Costs
TBA
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