Land of Fire and Ice: An Unforgettable Experience in Iceland

An Amazing Journey 

This past spring, 10 Taylor students had the incredible opportunity to take a semester Geology class that culminated in a 10-day trip to Iceland during the summer. Led by Dr. Michael Guebert, Professor of Geology and Environmental Science, and his wife, Carolyn, Adjunct Voice Instructor at Taylor, the Geology of Iceland class covered geologic topics such as plate tectonics, volcanoes, and glacial processes, as well as human history, culture, and sustainability in Iceland.   

Psalm 24:1-2 states, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it,” and the students learned this in a new way. During the trip, students integrated faith with science and gained a deeper understanding of their responsibility as stewards of creation.

Learning in Creation 

As they explored Iceland, the group studied many unique aspects of nature. Some memorable moments included hiking the side of a volcano and walking on recently cooled lava, hiking behind beautiful canyon waterfalls that resulted from melting glaciers, and strolling a beach where chunks of glacier ice were drifting away into the sea. They toured a geothermal energy plant that utilized heat from the earth in ways that are not possible in the United States. During the spring semester, Dr. Guebert had lectured on the natural features that they would encounter. Once in Iceland, the students finally saw all that they had studied in real time, and they learned how science and culture come together. 

Opportunity and Blessing 

Over the course of the trip, the Gueberts and their group were blessed in many ways by those around them. They were accompanied by Cambridge Volcano Seismologist Dr. Bob White, who shared his research on monitoring volcanic activity. This deepened the students' understanding as they studied the volcanoes in Iceland. Dr. White also gave multiple lectures on topics such as the age of the earth, natural disasters and God, and creation care. He eagerly integrated faith and science while helping to guide Taylor students through their experience in Iceland.   

Leaders from the group’s Icelandic hosts, GeoCamp Iceland, welcomed them with incredible hospitality. They shared about the country’s history, culture, and the values of home and care for the environment. Students enjoyed a treat of ryebread baked underground by hot springs. Their guide even invited them to his own home for a delicious traditional meal of lamb.   

One of senior Serena Lee’s favorite moments was visiting another guide’s childhood home. “We were able to meet her parents, see the inside of her home, and eat rhubarb cake, ice cream, and coffee that her parents made. It feels like a part of me is still in that house in Iceland,” Lee shared. Everyone on the trip felt cared for by those they met and made incredible connections with their hosts.

A High-Impact Experience 

Throughout their trip, students kept journals to process their educational and spiritual reflections. Danika Haack, one student on the trip, wrote, “I thank God for getting to go on this trip. It’s important for us to travel to these new places to get a true feeling and connection for why we must care for God’s creation. The heavens declare His glory.”  

Another significant takeaway for students was the concept of home, as many Icelandic people can readily trace their ancestry back 31 generations. Students returned home with a better appreciation for their families, culture, and what makes their homes special and beautiful.  

“We felt like it was such a privilege to be in Iceland and also to have that special connection with native Icelandic people who know and love their country and culture so well and then be able to share that with students who could experience it firsthand,” Carolyn reflected.  

God blessed all on the trip with new experiences in his glorious creation and through connections with others. Iceland is not a place that anyone will soon forget.