Antonia Rijo '25

Finding Heima in Iceland:
A Transformative Spring Break Experience

Iceland isn’t the first destination a lot of people think about for spring break, nor the first destination that comes to mind for a lot of people when they hear the words ‘refugee crisis.’ Yet I found myself in Iceland this past spring break on a service trip with the Christian non-profit organization Compass, along with 15 other BC students in partnership with the Salvation Army to help serve the large and growing refugee population there. And it was one of the most memorable and transformative experiences I’ve had during my time at BC.

Iceland has a large population of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers coming from around the world. Compass works in partnership with the Salvation Army, which has several locations throughout the country serving the refugee populations in numerous ways such as catering daily meals, operating multiple clothing stores, and providing addiction and education support communities. Something that surprised me most when I was on my trip was how the Salvation Army worship services are done in a combination of Icelandic, Spanish, and English to accommodate the notable population of Spanish speaking refugees in their country. It was the openness and welcoming nature of the Icelandic people, actively seeking to embrace and welcome these arriving refugees and help them feel a sense of belonging that was one of the many aspects of Iceland which made me feel a deep sense of hope, love, and inspiration.

My group's service location was in Akureyri, one of the northernmost parts of Iceland. During our time there, we worked with the Salvation Army to provide cooked meals, clothing, and a safe place for refugees to come and find nourishment and healing. I was struck by the stories I heard and by the resilience and warmth each refugee demonstrated to me and my group. I was able to form meaningful connections with people I encountered and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and hear from people who have endured so much. It made me happy to hear from one Venezuelan refugee, Mario, who told me that he loved Iceland, and that it was a place that was “muy tranquilo.”

Not only was this trip fulfilling through the connections made and service done, but I was also able to feel so present in the beautiful country of Iceland. The light of the sky, whether that be during the silent sunrises or the magical Northern Lights, echoed the lightness in my heart. There were many opportunities for my group to practice reflection and presence, and I felt a sense of peace and joy in so many small, yet memorable moments that I will carry with me throughout my life.

There is a word in Icelandic, heima, that can be translated in English to mean something like ‘a sense of being home.’ This word embodies how I felt with my fellow BC students, our Lynch School GA Delia, and our Compass leader Bryn Clark who all uniquely and beautifully contributed to creating a space in which I felt welcomed to show up as I was, to reflect on how my experiences in Iceland and in my life can transform me, and to discover a deeper sense of presence and belonging.

Antonia Rijo '25
March 2024