Many people know little about the small, isolated, and mainly desolate island of Iceland (and no, it’s not made of ice!) Located between England and Greenland in the North Atlantic, this country of glaciers and volcanoes maintains a rich and interesting history that has been passed down through generations. Teenagers in Iceland, and in particular the capital, Reykjavik (“Smoky Bay”), face many of the same fears and concerns as North American teens, but there are some unique differences concerning education and leisure.
School for Icelandic teens is very much like school in North America, starting in September and finishing at the end of May. Subjects are similar to North American subjects, but Icelandic teens are very learned and often trilingual, studying Icelandic, English, and Danish or German. Swimming is also mandatory. Students travel to school on foot in the urban areas, but in the more remote regions, students usually go to boarding schools.
From the ages of six to 16, school is mandatory, but from 16 on, students have various options. Most teens tend to stay in secondary school and prepare for university or college, taking the necessary courses required. The only difference between elementary and secondary schools is that secondary school students pay for their own textbooks.
During the summer months, many teens find employment in various areas, including gardening, public maintenance, and construction. The practice has raised some eyebrows among child labor organizations, but nothing has resulted from it. The government also requires that students put half of their income toward future university costs, so teens tend to learn responsibility at a very young age.
On weekends, teens often partake in sports. But because a winter climate dominates most of the year (summer temperatures average 50°F), as well as the brief amount of sunlight in certain seasons (less than four hours!), winter sports like skiing and skating tend to dominate over summer sporting events. Soccer, river rafting, and horseback riding are some of the favorites during the relatively brief summer season.
Shopping is also very popular. Because stores in Iceland have low overhead costs, many brand names and designer labels are much cheaper than in North America. Teens can also be found looking for secondhand goods at the Kolaportio Flea Market.
One of Iceland’s greatest exports is popular music. Since the mid-’80s band The Sugarcubes jumpstarted the career of Bjork, many forms of music, both classical and popular, have become important to Icelanders. Another popular homegrown band garnering international attention is Sigur Ros. More domestic pop or rock music favorites include GUS GUS, Alda, and Quarashi, but American and European bands are also popular. Reykjavik is home to an international music and arts festival every other year, featuring international groups along with homegrown talent. Teens in Reykjavik can often be found in record stores such as Mal og Menning or Rammageroin.
Movies are another source of entertainment. Teens flock to see the newest American comedies and action films at cinemas such as Bioborgin or the Biohollin. Because of different release dates, these movies occasionally appear four to five weeks later than in North America, but others have the same release date. Movies are in their original language but are subtitled.
Fast food is quite popular in Reykjavik, but often the long lines and high costs make the experience tedious and time consuming. McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and Dominos Pizza are the main franchises in the country, with Burger King having yet to make an impact. There are also some domestic fast food restaurants offering similar food at a slightly reduced price. As for traditional dishes, the sea-and-fishing-oriented economy makes seafood a staple, but not particularly one that will whet your appetite. For example, hakral is putrefied shark meat that is buried for six months to ensure its decomposition. Another is hrutspunger, consisting of ram’s testicles pickled in whey and then pressed into a cake. Definitely an acquired taste!
One of the most notorious problems facing Icelandic teens is boredom, which can often lead to bigger societal problems. Being active in an area where daylight is considered precious and maintaining a positive outlook proves sometimes difficult. A major problem has been underage drinking, particularly binge drinking on weekends. As awareness grows, programs in urban areas and schools are focusing on the dangers of alcohol abuse. Teen pregnancy is also another concern. Iceland has a high teen pregnancy rate, but it also has a high rate of abortions within this demographic.
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