Cross-Cultural Impact for Theatre Students in Iceland

In January 2025, 15 students from the School of Theatre Arts and Dance and I traveled to Reykjavík, Iceland, to participate in the newly formed study abroad partnership between UNC and Listaháskóli Íslands (LHÍ), Iceland University of the Arts. During their time in Reykjavík, the students enrolled in two-week elective courses offered by the university, which ranged from acting courses to design and visual arts classes where they interacted and studied with current students at LHÍ.   

When not in the classroom or exploring the streets of downtown Reykjavík with their new Icelandic classmates, the UNC students were offered the chance to see some of Iceland’s famous landmarks, such as bathing in the world-famous Blue Lagoon and visiting the geological wonders of Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur Geyser, Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerið Crater. 

While the trip’s itinerary ensured the students would have a meaningful experience, the broader cultural impact was far greater than I could have imagined. There has never been any doubt that study abroad opportunities can have a massive educational effect on students, and I saw this first-hand.   

My students had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore their craft in a highly developed nation that has consistently ranked in the top countries on the Human Development Index. Iceland has a rich history, from government and politics as the first country in the world with a citizen-run parliament, to storytelling in its extensive Icelandic Sagas, to geological beauty where scientists study its fjords, glaciers and active volcanic landscape.  

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Iceland has broadened its artistic communities with a very active film, television and live performance industry. In addition to multiple performing arts venues, one of the country’s prized venues is the Harpa Concert Hall in the heart of Reykjavík, which includes multiple performance and recital venues that offer productions in ballet, opera, symphonic and theatrical works. UNC students were able to explore what Iceland has to offer, which helped them understand their craft through new cultural viewpoints and perspectives. 

Conversely, the Icelandic students were also impacted by this partnership. The United States has one of the largest arts industries in the world, and during my years of guest teaching at LHÍ, Icelandic students are looking for as much information as possible about the arts industry in the U.S.  

They tend to consider this country a guiding light in artistic creation. As an island nation separated by the Atlantic Ocean from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, Iceland does not always afford its students the same opportunities to create, perform and work in the way that other countries in the Global North do. This made the American perspective that UNC students provided to their new Icelandic colleagues highly beneficial. 

During the two weeks in Iceland, many of the UNC students took the Musical Theatre course that I teach every year at LHÍ in my role as Visiting Guest Lecturer, which I have held since 2018. For them, the course topics weren’t new, but what made it special and educationally significant was working next to Icelandic students who were hungry for the information. They were reminded not to take their training, knowledge and opportunities for granted.   

My favorite comment on the trip came from one of my students at the airport while waiting to board our flight home to Denver.  As we discussed the impact of the trip, she so beautifully stated, “this experience reminded me why I love performing.”  For me, there could be no greater words of support for study abroad opportunities and the lessons students bring home from them.