 With blue skies and calm winds, we successfully made it out of Greenland and landed in Reykjavik, Iceland around 8pm local time. I am geographically further, yet mentally (and logistically) closer to home.
 I am not someone who likes last minute changes to the plans. I like to know ahead of time where I need to be and when. International travel often demands I surrender my love of clear, consistent schedules. Above all else, international travel begrudgingly forces me to learn to go with the flow.
 I woke up today to a second sunny day in Reykjavik. As I had been awake for 48 hours without sleep yesterday, I slept in a bit. Eventually, Alice and I headed out in search of coffee and found a nice little spot to grab a pastry and some caffeine. Then, we hit the road in search of an eruption site. It was the perfect day to visit a volcano.
 With my trip only one day away, I am feeling a lot of emotions. Nerves, anxiety, excitement…but also a good dose of mom guilt.
 With the week of travel here, its time to pack. I have a pile ready to help make for a comfortable trip to the Arctic. Here are some of the things I’m packing for takeoff on Thursday.
 International travel offers many things: adventure, exposure to new cultures, once-in-a lifetime experiences, and plenty of stories to tell your grandkids. But sometimes international travel offers us something even more surprising: a reconnection with home.
 One goal of this virtual field trip is to share what I am learning about Greenland. I am curious about people's current awareness. What is common knowledge and what are you discovering for the first time about this country? Without looking up the answers, please take the survey below. Feel free to leave a comment on your current knowledge of Greenland or what you want to learn more about!
 There is a growing need for virtual international learning (or ‘virtual study abroad’). I’ve recently found myself thinking a lot about remote ways to connect people from different cultures. Where could large-scale virtual international learning make an impact?
 As you can see from this graphic made by my student and content manager, Charlie, the itinerary is taking shape! Everything has to be ready to pivot at a moment's notice given health conditions and the weather. November in Greenland is fair game for winter storms. But... here is where we stand:
 Time to talk money. No matter how little we eat while traveling (does Greenland have Ramen Noodles?) there is no way to get there without funds. Luckily, we have support from three places. Here is a brief glimpse at the organizations making this trip financially possible:
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About me:
I am an anthropology professor, writer, researcher and global traveler. In fall of 2021, I led an experiential eLearning project connecting US students (and others) with the people, places, and industries of Greenland. I redesigned a research trip into a virtual field trip for my students who didn't have any Study Abroad options. All of the videos, photos, interviews, and storytelling are still here to enjoy! 
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