Read about this month’s International Studies Student Spotlight. Students were asked to share an influential experience they had that connected to their International Studies major or minor.
April 2025 - Bryndís Davis
BA International Studies (Global Environment and Health); BA Creative Writing and Literature; minor, Scandinavian Studies ‘26
Hometown: Berrien Springs, MI
Affiliations: Residential College, Letters Forum, Scandinavian Club
“Last year, I had the opportunity to study abroad independently at Háskóli Íslands in Reykjavík, Iceland studying in the Íslensk sem annað mál (teaching Icelandic as a second language) department. I stayed with relatives in Mosfellsbær and took upwards of 30 credits of Icelandic language, grammar, and phonetics! It was an amazing experience and I felt so connected to my mother's side of the family and her language. The most memorable experience I had was when I was working at Te og Kaffi, a local coffee shop in downtown Reykjavík, and served singer/songwriter Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir and her sister Junia! I was so shocked I didn't ask for a photo, but I did have a chance to chat with her a bit in Icelandic :) I would highly recommend studying abroad and connecting with other kinds of people to broaden your own experiences. Who knows? You might even meet your biggest idol!”
Future Plans: “I hope to work for a non-profit human rights organization as a writer and work at publishing creative works on the side. Maybe someday I will become an author!”
