Experience in Reykjavík, Iceland by David

What is it like to live in Reykjavík? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I'd definitely recommend living in Reykjavík. Despite how expensive it can be and the fact that the weather can change at the drop of a hat (not to mention the midnight sun and the polar nights), I found Reykjavík a great place to live. Nothing's too far away and everybody speaks English, so it's easy to communicate.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Reykjavík?

The student bar on campus is always a good place to hang out. The food and the beer are (relatively) affordable. Also, some of the bars offer student discounts.

How much does it cost to live in Reykjavík?

I was paying between 60, 000–80, 000 ISK (€390-€550) per month for my housing. Still, I'm told it is possible to get accommodation for as low as 45, 000 ISK (roughly €360) per month. An upside is that the rent almost always includes hot water, electricity, internet, etc.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Reykjavík? Is there any advice you can give?

It can be very difficult to find accommodation in Reykjavík, so if you plan on studying there, get on it ASAP! People often recommend this website for housing offers, but it's more of a hit-or-miss kind of thing. Word of mouth among the students is generally the best way to go when looking for housing as an international student.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are several burger joints and numerous cafés all over the city. Icelandic cuisine has a lot of fish recipes, naturally. In February, they bring out the fermented shark, which doesn't taste nearly as bad as it smells. Definitely try that at least once. Also tryHarðfiskur, which is dried fish that is sold in grocery stores. Oh, and Kleinur as well. That's a kind of pastry.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Reykjavík?

You can visit:

• Hallgrimskirkja is a must, especially if the weather's good. You get a spectacular view of the city from the bell tower.

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• Viðey island and the mountain

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• Esja, just outside the city.

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Whatever's your thing: museums, outdoors, nightclubs, all of the above Reykjavík's just the right size where you don't have to go far to find what you're looking for.

Is it good to eat out in Reykjavík? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

If you're on a tight budget, don't eat out too often. Iceland is notoriously expensive.

Is the nightlife good in Reykjavík? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is great, if you can stay up late enough for it. Icelanders don't usually start hitting up the bars or the clubs until around 1am and most of the places are open until 5 or 6am.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Reykjavík?

Budget well and bundle up. Oh, and be prepared to be wowed by the northern lights, because you're going to see them at least once. Even in the city, they can still be visible. Also, make sure to see more of Iceland than just the capital. There's some great sights to see out in the countryside. Like the hot springs, glaciers and volcanoes, to name but a few.

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