This page covers practical matters for exchange students, including the cost of living at Bifröst, the facilities on campus, and important things you should know while planning your trip to Iceland.
 

Accommodation:

The Bifröst student housing authority (Nemendagarður háskólans) is an independent company which manages and rents out all residential housing on campus. Bifröst's policy is to guarantee all incoming exchange students housing, and we do our best to take incoming students' housing preferences into account. Further information on housing for exchange students is available in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of this website.
 

Cost of living:

The price level in Iceland is somewhat higher than that of continental Europe and North America. In general, food is relatively expensive in Iceland, books and alcohol are expensive, petrol (gasoline) costs about the same as in other northern European countries, while heating, hot water, and electricity are relatively inexpensive. When eating out, there is never any tipping in Iceland. One never even rounds up the bill. This means that a meal advertised as €10 in a cafe in Iceland costs somewhat less than a meal advertised as €10 in Germany or Italy.

The following table lists some common costs for students on the Bifröst campus. Prices are up to date as of April2010.

Extracurricular and leisure activities:

Bifröst is in the countryside, 30 km away from the nearest larger town. This does impose constraints on exchange students' ability to enjoy typical big-city pleasures such as theatre, cinema and art exhibitions (for all of which one must usually go to Reykjavík). However it is very hard to be bored at Bifröst unless you really put your mind to it!  There are many student clubs. Recent years have seen a chess club, a hiking club, a horse riding club, and a fitness club, just to name those that are easiest for non-Icelandic speaking students to take part in. Typical of campus universities, students at Bifröst naturally spend a lot of time together and there are endless opportunities for making new friends, as well as frequent lectures, musical performances, formal dinners, and informal parties in the school café and at nearby Hreðavatnsskáli.
 

Facilities for special needs students:

Students are kindly asked to contact the International Office regarding their needs at the time they apply. Bifröst has in effect a non-discrimination policy and will review each case separately and do everything in its power to accommodate special needs students.

Financial suppport for students:

Neither Bifröst nor the Icelandic government offers any financial support for international students. Students from within the EU are recommended to apply for an ERASMUS grant at their local agencies to lessen the financial burden of their study abroad period.
 

Insurance:

Students coming from within the EU/EEA area are covered for health insurance if they bring with them their E111 form or European Health Insurance Card.For detailed information on the Icelandic health care system consult the Europa website.
 
Students coming from other parts of the world for a stay of more than 90 days in Iceland need to buy health insurance from an Icelandic insurance company to be able to apply for a residence permit. This insurance is relatively inexpensive by international standards and the International office at Bifröst will assist students in this matter.

No other insurance is required. Some students may wish to buy accident, theft, damage, or travel insurance. This needs to be done in their country of origin before arriving in Iceland. In general, we advise students to be careful and think twice before buying extra insurance cover. Some packages are heavily advertised and marketed but provide little actual benefit.

Internships:

Internships (and other kinds of unpaid work) are not a common practice in Iceland and they are generally not a required part of university studies. Most Icelandic students, however, work in industry during their summer break and thus gain valuable experience and the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real life situations. Wages for these positions are generally much higher than what would be paid to an intern.Students are however solely responsible for securing their summer jobs and Bifröst does not offer special assistance in this matter. Non-Icelandic speaking exchange students will find it somewhat difficult, although not necessarily impossible, to arrange a summer job with an Icelandic company.
 

Meals:

There is no specific student cafeteria, mensa, or canteen at Bifröst. There is a café which serves full meals at lunch, and hamburgers and hot sandwiches at dinner. However, most students choose to cook their own meals since it is less expensive. All apartments and rooms have excellent facilities for cooking, and in many apartments students take turns cooking meals cutting the cost down even more.
 

Medical facilities:

There are no medical facilities on campus (except first aid kits and a trained EMS person). The nearest health care center is in the town of Borgarnes, 30 km from Bifröst. The nearest hospital is in the town of Akranes, approximately 70 km away. If you have a medical emergency please call the national emergency number 112. Iceland has an excellent standard of medical care.
 

Sports facilities:

At Bifröst there is a gym and weight room open long hours to all students, staff and their families. Access is included in the tuition fees. There are generally some sort of aerobics lessons. At Bifröst is an outdoor football field, outdoor basketball court and a golf course in only 5 min distance.Further there are hot-tubs and a sauna in place for use for the inhabitants of the campus. Specific sports halls, such as to play indoor soccer or other sports are not available at Bifröst however twice a week students group together and go to Varmaland (10 min. away by car) for a game of football, volleyball or basketball. At Varmaland there is also a larger swimming pool.

Student affairs office:

Bifröst is by international standards a very small university. All student affairs matters may be directed to the school administration office whose reception desk is just by the main door of the school. The reception staff will direct enquiries to the appropriate staff member. The office is open weekdays from 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-16.00 and the telephone number is +354 433 3000.

The International Office is dedicated to making exchange students' stay in Iceland and at Bifrost as enjoyable as possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or problems.  We are located in the school administration office and open the same hours. You can also send e-mail to incoming@bifrost.is. 

Student associations:

The Bifröst Student Association, (in Icelandic, Nemendafélagið), is an umbrella organization for all student associations on campus and also an association of its own. Membership is free for all students. Other student organizations apply each year to the Student Association for funding. The association has its own website, www.skolafelag.is (only in Icelandic). Exchange students have one contact person in the Student Union that they can contact at all times.

Study facilities:

Bifröst offers excellent study facilities. Study rooms are open to students 24 hours a day and lecture halls are free for use by students following lectures every morning, late afternoon and during most weekends. The wireless LAN is in operation round the clock and printers and copiers are within easy reach from all over the campus. The teaching facilities and specially designed apartments in the residential buildings are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Traveling to Iceland:

From London and Copenhagen you have a choice between Icelandair and IcelandExpress. The latter is usually less expensive and offers the flexibility of one-way tickets. Icelandair, however has more scheduled destinations in Europe and North America. Please note that optimal arrival is on the Friday before the first day of classes, which is always on a Monday.
 

Arrival:

Keflavík-Reykjavík

All international flights to Iceland land at Keflavík Airport, near Reykjavík and about 150 km (2 hours' drive) from Bifröst. After arrival in Keflavík students are expected to take the flight bus to BSÍ, main bus station in Reykjavík. If arriving late at night an overnight in Reykjavík may be necessary. In that case our international coordinator will assist in finding affordable accommodation.

Reykjavík-Borgarnes

Depending on landing time, students can in some cases jump right on the next bus to Bifröst. However, you might have to spend the night in a hostel in Reykjavik.

When arriving at Bifröst (often late in the evening), you will get your keys and will be escorted to your room to settle in.

Currency:

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic krona (abbreviated kr or ISK). Bank notes are in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 ISK. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 ISK. In September of 2009 the exchange rate was approximately 132 ISK per euro and 90 ISK per U.S. dollar.

Access to money on arrival:

There is a bank in the airport terminal for immediate access to Icelandic currency. It is open whenever flights are due to arrive. It is possible to convert bank notes, cash travellers' checks, and get a cash advance from a debit or credit card. Credit and debit cards are widely used and accepted in Iceland. It is strongly recommended that exchange students carry one to be able to meet any unforseen expenses during their stay. Just make sure that it will be valid during the entire length of your stay.

Climate:

Due to the effect of the Gulf Stream Iceland enjoys a relatively mild coastal climate, considerably milder than the name of the country implies. During the summer (lasting from early June to mid-September) average temperatures are 12°C, and there are normally a few days in July or August where the daytime high climbs to 25°C. During winters (October to mid-March) the average temperature is 2°C, and there are normally a few days in January or February when the temperature drops to -8 or -10°C (usually accompanied by bright sunshine). The Icelandic climate is drier than England or Scotland and although precipitation (rain or snow) is frequent, it is rarely heavy. Drizzle and snow flurries are more common than downpours and snowstorms. Strong winds are, however, common. Warm, waterproof, and windproof clothing is a good idea at any time of year.

Banking:

Banking hours in Iceland are weekdays from 09:15 – 16:00. Banks are generally closed on weekends, but in Reykjavík there might be a branch or two with extended opening hours. Exchange students generally do not need to open a bank account for their stay in Iceland. Credit/debit cards are the dominant method of payment of in Iceland and most students in Bifröst do all their banking online.

Business hours:

Business hours in Iceland are typically 9:00-17:00 weekdays. There are exceptions to this, especially with official governmental offices, which typically close at 16:00 or even 15:00.

The office at Bifröst is open weekdays from 9:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00. The international office is located within the main school office.

Electricity:

Iceland uses 220-volt electricity (like most of Europe) and the plugs are two-pin continental size, as in mainland Europe. Plug adapters and current converters are available in stores but some may find them rather expensive. If possible we would advise international students to buy them in their home country before leaving for Iceland.

Telephones:

In Iceland the vast majority of the population have mobile phones and use them a lot, even though they are rather expensive. The few public phones which remain are used less and less. Foreign exchange students are encouraged to bring their GSM mobile phones with them, and then to buy an Icelandic prepaid card which gives them an Icelandic telephone number and a certain amount of starter credit which can then be refilled. The two major Icelandic GSM carriers are Síminn and Og Vodafone and the prepaid cards can be purchased in the arrivals hall at Keflavík Airport (on weekdays, at least) and at the Síminn office in Borgarnes, near Bifröst. Increasingly, though, students are finding Internet-based telephone services like Skype as useful or more useful than a mobile phone card.

E-mail:

All students enrolled at Bifröst will get their own e-mail address, typically something like name@bifrost.is. Exchange students retain their e-mail address for 4 months after their departure from Bifröst. A webmail interface allows students to check their Bifröst e-mail regardless of whether they are on campus or not.

What to bring:

Clothes

The weather in Iceland is quite variable so I would advice that you bring a variety of clothes. Fall and spring term visitors should certainly bring a warm coat, hats, a scarf and gloves and warm leather shoes/boots. In summer, there will be a few days when you will be comfortable in just a T-shirt, but there will also be a few days when the daytime high is around 8-10°C with strong winds. So bring a jacket, hat, and gloves, especially if you are planning a hiking trip in the mountains where the weather can be considerably colder. Icelanders are fairly casual dressers so for everyday life around campus just bring whatever you would wear at home. When Icelanders go out clubbing or to a school-sponsored dinner they tend to dress up, so it might be a good idea to bring something a little more formal as well.

Bedding

Beds are 90cmx200cm and the standard size of a duvet is 150cmx210cm and the standard size for a pillow is 50cmx60cm. Exchange students get a comforter (duvet, Bettdecke in German) and pillow on loan from the school. We are normally able to provide a pillow case, comforter cover, and bed sheet as well.

Towels
Please make sure to include towels in your luggage since they are not included in your room rental.

Other
A camera, hygienic products, and some favorite personal items such as pictures and books will surely come in handy. Also do not forget your laptop if you have one. If you are planning to do any travelling while here, bring a sleeping-bag for using in youth hostels – they are much cheaper than staying in hotels

Orientation:

Orientation for exchange students is generally held on the Saturday before the first week of classes. Students will be introduced to the learning system, facilitys, courses and all things necessary for students to excel. Exchange students will be introduced to their personal buddy. The buddy system helps the exchange students to intergrade into the environment the and adapt easily.

Getting around Iceland:

Iceland is very much a country of private cars. Although there are scheduled buses and a public transportation system in the capital area, the majority of people still opt to use their own cars for transportation. Bifröst is 110 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. There are scheduled buses driving to and from Reykjavik. For further information on the timetable please see the section "How to get to Bifröst" on our web site.

Because bus service is infrequent and not as convenient as we would like, Bifröst tries to arrange for a car to be at the disposal of its exchange students. The car is free of charge (except for gas), but if students get in an accident, the driver is liable for any damage up to the insurance deductible (the point where the insurance company starts to pay). The car will not necessarily seat all exchange students at once, so sharing must be arranged.
 
To be able to drive a car in Iceland you have to be at least 17 years of age and hold a valid driving licence. Depending on the lease terms the minimum age for the exchange students' car may be higher (most likely 20 years). Like most of Europe in Iceland we drive on the right side of the road.
 
It is also very common at Bifröst for students and staff to arrange rides to and from Reykjavík or Borgarnes with other students and staff.

Visas and residence permits:

For exchange students from inside the EU / EEA
Many of our exchange students from the EU/EEA ask whether they will need to apply for an Icelandic residence permit. The terms at Bifröst last four months and thus exceed the 90 day period in which EU/EEA citizens are allowed to stay without a visa. So strictly the answer is YES.  However, EU/EEA citizens are allowed to stay in Iceland without a residence permit for an extra three months if they are "looking for work," and since it is very difficult to determine whether someone is looking for work or not, the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has not in the past made students from the EU/EEA countries apply for a residence permit for a stay of up to six months. So in practice the answer is NO. If you are planning to stay only one term please do not worry about permits. Simply buy your plane ticket and come.

For exchange students from outside the EU / EEA -- this means China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Canada, USA etc.
Students from outside the EU and EEA wishing to spend more than 90 days in Iceland need to apply for a residence permit before their arrival in Iceland. With the application, you need to request that the embassy in your country of residence which handles Icelandic visa matters (this is most commonly the Danish embassy) be instructed to issue you a so-called D-visa.  When the residence permit application is approved, the embassy will be notified and you can send your passport to the embassy to receive the D-visa.  The D-visa allows you to enter Iceland. Once entering Iceland, you must register your address with the National Registry (Þjóðskrá) and undergo a very brief medical examination to receive your actual residence permit. The school can help arrange for the medical examination at the clinic in Borgarnes. The initial residence permit is valid for one term and must be renewed if you are staying longer.
 
There is unfortunately a rather long list of things you will need to do to apply for your student residence permit and it can take up to 90 days between your application and the approval of your D-visa, which means that you need to start early. See the Directorate of Immigration's student visa application instructions for the full details. We recommend patience and an early start.
 
For the most complete and authoritative information on visas and residence permits in Iceland, see the web site of Iceland's Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun). Some of the information on the web site of the Directorate of Immigration, is confusing but rest assured that the International Office at Bifröst will help all admitted students complete the paperwork that they need.

Time zone:

Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) the whole year around. That means that Iceland does not observe daylight savings time. The time difference between Iceland and other countries is as follows:

Summer Winter

USA/Canada - East Coast - 5 hours - 4 hours
USA/Canada - West Coast - 8 hours - 7 hours
Britain/Portugal + 1 hour 0 hours
Mainland Europe, Scandinavia + 2 hours + 1 hour
Finland/Estonia + 3 hours + 2 hours
Japan + 10 hours + 9 hours
New Zealand + 13 hours + 12 hours