Final Thoughts

Iceland. There are 171,476 words in the Oxford English Dictionary, and I don't think any of them could effectively sum up the spirit of this volcanic rock in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It is truly a place with a personality of its own, and as you move your eyes over every part of it - every tearjerker of a sunset, every horse in every lush pasture, every frozen peak piercing the clouds, every menacing volcanic silhouette looming in the distance - you feel as if you're engaged in a dialogue with the Earth itself, telling you the secrets of its past, present, and future. It is a place simultaneously young and fiery but also frozen and eternal. Its harshness and remoteness might lead one to be amazed at the sociability and warmth of its people. Over the last millennium they have learned not to wrestle with the sometimes cruel nature of their motherland, but to recognize and respect her temperaments. She first took them in as weary seafarers and has allowed them to thrive on her natural bounty ever since, and in return they pay homage to her in their legends and architecture. They are fiercely proud of their home and their history, and it shows in their desire to both share it, and protect it.

I was humbled by Iceland at every turn. No picture can do it justice, and no force of man can tame it. It inspired me to take a deeper interest in my field, and to continue to travel to far-flung corners of the world to better understand the living, breathing planet we so often take for granted. As for my 19 travelling companions, I could not imagine a better group to share in this experience with. All of them are amazing people, all totally and perfectly unique. I am proud to call them my friends. To the professors, Dr. Suresh and Dr. Ranson, you are the ones who really made this trip. Needless to say, none of this would have been possible without you, and I am so grateful for the amount of work that you put into this trip, and the work you put into being teachers, mentors, and friends every day.

This has been Mitchell Freyermuth. I hope you've enjoyed reading. May your travels take you farther from your cares, and nearer to yourself.