"Youth in Iceland: Impact of Culture & Context on Substance Use Prevention"
 

Credits: 2  Program Location:  Reykjavik, Iceland Term: January/Winter Term Minimum GPA: 2.5 All Ramapo College students in good academic and judicial standing are eligible. Students of other U.S. colleges or universities are also eligible.

  

[Course Description] - "Youth in Iceland: Impact of Culture & Context on Substance Use Prevention" (INTL 130)

 
Substance use rates among Iceland youth were the highest in Europe until a comprehensive, research-informed behavioral addiction prevention program was
enacted, which resulted in their rates of youth substance use to be the lowest in Europe. This faculty-led study abroad course will engage with the professionals engaged in the Youth in Iceland program that these successes have been attributed to affording a thorough understanding of the meaningful risk and protective factors. Strong predictive factors in Icelandic youth include: participating in organized activities at least three to four times per week, total time spent with parents during the week, feeling cared about in school, and not being outdoors in the late evenings. This course will review the research-based model adopted, how all parties including the youth and their families were engaged, and outcome data to support the program’s success. Students will meet with researchers, clinicians, and policy makers engaged in preventing behavioral addiction in Icelandic youth through visits to community-based programming, governmental agencies, and Reykjavik University. Unique aspects of the program that contribute to its success are $500. stipends given to families to pay for extracurricular activities for their children, strong support from Icelandic government, built-in mechanisms to collect data on program effectiveness, and a foundation in science and theory. Also, while in Iceland, students will embark on a tour of the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, and the Northern Lights.

[Our course of study]  

  
Students will gain cross-cultural experience in a country outside the USA for approximately one week and will learn about substance use prevention among youth in Iceland. Students will attend pre-departure orientation sessions to learn more about the country. During the program, reflect on their experiences in writing. After they return, students will present their findings to a public audience.

[Preparations]

There will be an extensive pre-departure orientation on culture, health, safety, as well as on- and off-campus meetings prior to the departure from the U.S. 

[Accommodations]  

Students will reside in hotels throughout the program.

[Cost]

Program cost: $TBD
(non-NJ Residents = $TBD)
Program cost includes: Program reading materials; round-trip international airfare; pre-departure and on-site orientation; comprehensive health & security insurance; accommodations; some meals; excursions and entrance fees; in-country program transportation; pre-departure and on-site orientations. 
Program cost does not include: US airport transfers; some meals; personal expenses and immunization costs.
 

Payment Timeline
Commitment & $500 Deposit (non-refundable)	October 15
Payment #1:	December 1
Payment #2:	January 15
Payment #3:	March 1