Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Ange Murielle
From: ESILV
To: REYKJAVIK UNIVERSITY
2025 • Fall
DATA, OPTIMISATION,STATISTICAL MODELLING..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
AROUND 700 EUROS PER MONTH
Where was it located?
HAALEITISBRAUT
How can someone find this place?
Would you recommend it?
YES
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
RAS
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
DATA, OPTIMISATION,STATISTICAL MODELLING
Do you have some tips?
YES THE SCHOOL IS COOL
Best trips to do?
BUS TOUR
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Reykjavik?
COST OF LIVING
William
From: Esilv
To: Haskolinn I Reykjavik
2024 • Fall
Main street has lots of bars, we had a discount at a French bar as one of our Friends worked there..
What kind of place was it?
Airbnb
How much was the rent per month?
1200
Where was it located?
In Reykjavik, 20 minutes by bus from University, 15 minute walk from city center
How can someone find this place?
Housing Anywhere
Would you recommend it?
It was a nice place Even though it was very expensive
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Main street has lots of bars, we had a discount at a French bar as one of our Friends worked there
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
All classes are interesting, Even though some will require more work than others
Do you have some tips?
Campus is very modern, registration really easy. Very good integration
Best trips to do?
Rent a car from Blue Car Rental and do a road trip across the Islande for a week
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Reykjavik?
Very expensive but so unique
Florent
From: EMLV
To: Háskólinn í Reykjavik
2024 • Fall
You absolutely have to travel around the country. Before end septembre you can go for a day or two in Iceland center through F-roads. You will probably want to…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
1080
Where was it located?
In Reykjavik downtown
How can someone find this place?
Housing websites
Would you recommend it?
The apartment was very nice but too expensive, the best thing to do is to register on the student housing list
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Not the busiest city, there are still some bars and clubs. Alcool is very expensive
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I was basically registered on the main marketing classes. Almost every assignment is a group work and pretty easy
Do you have some tips?
Very easy
Best trips to do?
You absolutely have to travel around the country. Before end septembre you can go for a day or two in Iceland center through F-roads. You will probably want to go to the south and you should. It’s very beautiful and the car rental in Iceland are not that expensive compared to the global prices. You should also try to make a tour, I recommend mid November, during the study week
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Reykjavik?
Quite calm, but very cute and very cold. It’s easy to find a part time job, I was a waiter in a French restaurant “La Cuisine”. Very good plan if you need money to pay your rent + possible discounts for your friends
Buy B vitamins from early November until the end of your semester
Nina
From: IE University
To: Iceland University
2024 • Fall
This is not the typical student housing/residence you will see in other universities, it was not what I expected but the best thing you can have if you don't…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
950
Where was it located?
In Haskoli which is where the university is located, about 20 minutes (walking) from the center where all restaurants and bars are located.
How can someone find this place?
https://studentagardar.is/english/
Would you recommend it?
This is not the typical student housing/residence you will see in other universities, it was not what I expected but the best thing you can have if you don't want to spend and incredible amount of money far away from the university. You don't have the feeling of being in a student residence, there are no common areas where you can socialise, only one room that you could rent if you wanted to be there with your friends, and not everyone living there were students, my neighbours were a family with a kid for example. The process to get the apartments is a bit stressful, specially because they tell you that it is not 100% sure that you will get a place to live so my recommendation it to say yes to the first place that they offer, because you never know if you will get another option. I was living in a "studio-like apartment" by myself, in one of the old buildings, let's be straight not the best at all but it did the job and I didn't have to look for another more expensive apartment elsewhere. So yes I would recommend it as before going to Reykjavik you have to be aware that it is not as all the other cities where you have a million options of student housings or renting apartments so this is the best, less expensive alternative.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Not so much night life as in other cities of course but you have thousands of bars in the centre as well as incredible restaurants and coffee shops. The best club is in Lækjargata and it is called Auto.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I took all the international relations classes available in English and I loved them all, the teachers were amazing, and being honest there was not a lot of workload and the exams were really doable.
Do you have some tips?
I would not change a single thing about my exchange. The campus was great (at least my building), everyone was really nice, and registration was easy. Tip: they will always tell you that you need the "kennitala" which is the Icelandic identification number (you have to take an hour long bus to get to the place and it was a whole process to get the number) but I never had it and never had q single problem with that
Best trips to do?
YOU HAVE TO SEE ALLL ICELAND. I did four trips and saw everything, it is a must.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Reykjavik?
It is the most expensive city i've ever been to, so be prepared. Don't pack unnecessary things, everything you will wear will be jackets, boots, thermal clothing, gloves... it is cold as it seems and be prepared for the strongest and coldest wind you've ever experienced.
You will be grateful to be able to live this experience and visit the most amazing country in the world.
