Atlantica - 01.03.2004, Qupperneq 38

36 A T L A N T I C A36 A T L A N T I C A UNIVERSITY WIRELESS
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Most tourists to Iceland come to explore the
country’s rugged landscapes. Others travel here
to hang out in the country’s pubs & cafes. Now
there’s a new group of tourists catching flights
to Iceland.
Admittedly, it’s a rather small demographic. It
might even appear strange to move to Iceland to
pursue a Masters’ in Business Administration.
Look closer, though, and it makes perfect sense.
Reykjavík University offers a two-year MBA pro-
gram perfect for today’s students, those who
demand flexibility and desire a cultural educa-
tion in addition to the traditional textbook lec-
tures. “We offer an international program,” says
Thórdís Sigurdardóttir, Program Director of the
MBA Program at Reykjavík University.
Because the university is relatively small, it
doesn’t compete with the larger business
schools such as those in the Ivy League, which
means that they are willing to send their profes-
sors on sabbatical to Reykjavík University. “We
have professors from all over the world, from
many of the best schools in the US and Europe,”
Sigurdardóttir says.
Yet great teachers are not the primary reason to
study in Reykjavík. You’ll want to get to know the
city and its people, and enjoy the varied culture,
including the city’s famed nightlife. The classes,
which are taught in English, run Thursday, Friday
and Saturday every other week, leaving students
enough free time to either work, concentrate on
projects or pursue extracurricular activities.
“One of our students works at DeCode Genetics,
another at an art gallery. It’s also possible to fly in
for classes, and then fly back home to work,” says
Sigurdardóttir.
Fly in from abroad? Well, with airfares what they
are these days, why not? Plus, at only about EUR
22,000, tuition is much less expensive than for
many other MBA programs.
What students at Reykjavík University will discov-
er, though, is that Iceland is a country where any-
thing is possible. Sigurdardóttir adds that, in
Iceland, “We have a different way of thinking. We
take chances – we’re risk takers.”
This attitude rubs off on students, teachers and
business leaders, making the Reykjavík experi-
ence much more creative, innovative and down-
right enjoyable. After all, why go to school if you
can’t enjoy your surroundings? EW
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REYKJAVIK UNIVERSITY, LOG
ON TO WWW.RU.IS.
Business students looking for an international experience now have another option:
Reykjavík University.
Where to what? To those unfamiliar with computer-lingo, wi-fi is short for wireless fidelity, and it means
that anyone equipped with a wi-fi laptop can surf the Internet or send e-mail on special WLANs (wire-
less local area networks) without connecting to a phone line. So where can you wi-fi in the city?
So far, only a few cafés are equipped with the necessary technology. Try Kaffibarinn (Bergstadastræti
1, 101 Reykjavík), Kaffi Hressó (Austurstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík) or the food court at Kringlan shopping
mall (103 Reykjavík). AMB
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY
With classes running only three days a
week, every other week, Reykjavík
University’s MBA program offers students
enough open space to become part of the
Reykjavík community. And what a com-
munity it is. Roughly 60 percent of the
nation lives in the capital area. Reykjavík
has over 180 pubs and restaurants to
choose from, and there are cafes galore to
study in. The city is also within shouting
distance of endless open space, a rugged
wilderness where one can lose oneself in
deep reflection. Or think up that terrific
business idea that’ll make millions.
REYKJAVÍK MASTERS
Where to Wi-Fi
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