My dream came true!
Long time ago I had a dream to go somewhere I can live, work, gain new experiences and discover natural beauties. Icleand was that country for me.
Because I have always been home person and I didn´t know what was needed to make my dream come true I asked one agency that helped me organize and arrange everything. And in 2 months I was here! After arrival I spent one night in Reykjavik and next day I met very polite lady from Icelandic friendly agency that helped me arrange all necessary documents for my work and answered all my questions.
Then she put me on the bus that took me where my employer was waiting. My boss-farmer soon became friend of mine because we shared the work and the household. He patiently explained all the essentials of my work.
On this place I was very satisfied because I had an opportunity to work in the hospitality- in the guesthouse and also on the farm with animals.
Work in guesthouse included cleaning and preparing everything necessary for pleasant holiday of our guests. Thanks to that I met a lot of interesting people from all over the world and I experienced many precious moments.
On the farm I could perceive the diversity of the seasons and how people are connected to a ground that provides them everything what they need.
I learned to feed cows, sheep, helped give them birth and also made a bond with other home animals. I have realized how important animals are in my life.
An important part was also coexistence with an Icelandic family which I become a part of for a while. Perceive differences and things in common and be able to communicate and agree to mutual satisfaction.
This stay enriched me very much in terms of both – work and humanity. I have gained much valuable experience and knowledge on my own.
Thank you very much to both agencies for their support and assistance in handling all the necessary formalities and, in particular, to make my dream come true.
Vendula, 2019
An Impeccable Work and Travel Experience in a Magical and Beautiful Country
It all began in my home country, the Czech Republic, where I submitted an application for the Work
and Travel programme Iceland. The application approval went really quickly. I had the offer from my
new employers after two days! For me, it was incredible. The employers and their outstanding
service in terms of accommodation, food and job, etc. – simply everything was absolutely fabulous,
although some days at work were both physically and mentally demanding.
Our employer´s continuous care and support especially during the busiest time from July to
September gave us (me and my Czech colleague Hana – an organised, determined, nice person who
arrived in May) a lot of energy, confidence and primarily very positive mind. It helped us to manage
everything, not only the job itself, but also other life struggles.
Also, we sometimes had to cope with driving the company´s van in harsh weather, which was very
rewarding and beneficial for both of us as you seldom can experience this type of conditions in our
home country.
What is also worth noting, we had an opportunity to explore the country. I have to admit that we
have seen more that we could hope for 5 months! Sometimes we were given 4 days off in a row, so
we used all of it and set off somewhere for a longer trip. We also had the car for private use, so we
could go and explore the local surroundings on our own while we had only 1 day off.
We have visited some of the top tourist sights, such as: Reykjavik, Akureyri where we were taken by
our employers, Vík í Mýrdal, Djúpivogur, Golden Circle – Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir National
Park, Westman Islands, many impressive waterfalls – Svartifoss, Sistrafoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss,
Gullfoss, Godafoss, Dettifoss, breathtaking glacier lagoons – Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón, the National
Park Skaftafell where we went hiking on the glacier, we have been to the Ice Cave Tour in Katla, we
have strolled in Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, and in the last days before departure we booked the tour of
Snaefellsnes Peninsula and spotted the most photographed mountain – Kirkjufell.
Also, what is necessary to highlight is the fact that we saw the northern lights dancing in the sky and
changing its colours from green to pink and purple. I can still remember this natural wonder.
Moreover, we could not leave Iceland without visiting the Blue Lagoon and Harpa where „a must see
“performance „How to become Icelandic“is played. It has broadened our knowledge about Iceland. I
enjoyed watching it, we were laughing almost all the time.
I would say that this stay has contributed maybe even a little more to my personal enrichment than
the working one. Now I can do more that I even imagined. Everything is manageable only if you want.
Our life is a challenge and it should not be spent by waiting. Be happy for every single moment.
Takk fyrir allt, Nínukot
With love,
Petra Vyhnalkova, 2019