Exchange Program Between the Universities of Minnesota and
Iceland (Háskóli Íslands)

Founded in 1982

Val Björnson Scholarship Fund

THE EXCHANGE: This program is one of the most successful reciprocal exchange programs at the University of Minnesota. Both faculty and students have participated in the exchange. Both Universities and the Val Björnson Scholarship fund the exchange. The local Icelandic community raises the money to support the Bjornson Fund.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Students at each University apply to spend a year studying in the exchange country. The program provides a full scholarship (tuition, room and board, and international health insurance), for a unique opportunity to integrate fully into each other’s academic and cultural life. The Minnesota student lives and studies at the University of Iceland in the capital, Reykjavík, learning Icelandic, gaining insight into Iceland's cultural life and history, and enjoying its amazing geological features.

Usually only one student is selected from each University. Program participants serve as ambassadors before, during and after the study abroad experience, help to promote the program and select the following year's participant. The application process is competitive.

            Personal expenses include airfare, books and personal costs.

            ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION: The exchange program is open to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities juniors and seniors with a 2.5 or higher GPA. Applications must be submitted by mid-November. Interviews are in Mid-December with a selection following shortly thereafter.

            COURSEWORK: A primary field of study is Icelandic for foreign students. The concentration includes courses in Icelandic history, culture and literature.

            The University of Iceland also has a number of courses in various fields taught in English.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND WEBSITE:  www.hi.is.

For international study information, contact the Office of International Education: www.hi.is/eng.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA:

THE UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND (HÁSKÓLI ÍSLANDS)

            The University of Iceland is a state run school founded in 1911 and located in Reykjavík, Iceland's capital city. It serves a nation of 285,000 and provides instruction for some 7,000 students (59% female) in nine faculties. A modern, diversified, and rapidly-developing institution, the University of Iceland offers study and research in more than 50 degree programs in the humanities, science and social sciences as well as in professional fields such as theology, law, business, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and engineering. Some of the resources available at the University are uniquely Icelandic: the medieval manuscripts preserved at the Árni Magnússon Institute and the National Museum, both located on campus, Icelandic census records dating from 1703, exceptionally complete genealogical data, and climatological, galciological, seismic, and geothermal records.

VAL BJÖRNSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND

            Val Björnson (1906-1987), was one of the founders of the Exchange Program. An Icelandic-American born in Minneota, Minnesota (one of the largest Icelandic settlements in the Midwest), he was well know for furthering better relations between Iceland and the U.S. After establishing a career in journalism, he served with Navy Intelligence stationed in Iceland in WWII and was a major facilitator in bringing the U.S. base to Iceland. Returning to Minnesota after the war, he became active in politics and served many years as Minnesota's State Treasurer. He authored the multi-volume History of Minnesota (1969) and Icelanders of the United States (1976). A genealogist, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of Icelandic family trees. His contributions to the Icelandic community were great--as Honorary Consul of Iceland at Minneapolis, scholar, historian and genealogist. Val was one of the founders of the Exchange Program between the Universities of Iceland and Minnesota.

An advisory committee works with the Global Campus (UMN) in the exchange student process and also works with faculty exchanges. It also oversees fundraising. Administration of the fund is handled by the University of Minnesota Foundation. Donations to the fund are tax deductible. 

CONTACT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: contact@icelandminnesota.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

            PLEASE SEE THE CALENDAR FOR INFORMATION.