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Courses in Iceland Practical life
Cost of living: it would take 1000€ per month for a person to live in Reykjavik, but
Iceland: a land of contrasts, where ice and fire rub shoulders. This a student should be able to get away with approximately 1,000€ per month.
country is very much involved in the preservation of the environment, and plays There are many examples of price on the University of Reykjavik website: english.
an active role at international level in the protection of the oceans and the fight hi.is/cost_of_living
for a reduction in CO2 emissions. Located mid-way between Europe and the
United States, Iceland benefits from international relationships and participates Accommodation: difficult to find, as the cost of rentals is rather high. ‘The Student
in international trade. Agency‘is an on-line agency which helps students to find housing or employment.
The services sector occupies an important place, but the Icelandic labour market
is still characterised by fishing and agriculture. Iceland also has many natural Students can contact the owners directly:
resources, including energies hydro and geothermal energy, and diatomite, www.fs.is/en/student-agency
particularly used in the agri-food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries where “Rentmate” is a new company that puts online ads for shared accommodation or
a form of it is used as a liquid filter medium. rooms in private homes, even for short periods: www.rentmate.is
"HousingAnywhere" is an international website for housing worldwide and has
Name and legal framework offers for Iceland: housinganywhere.com/en
Courses in business are a great tradition in Iceland in secondary vocational
training, and the professional branches tripartite-type contracts which govern Tips on finding a course and useful sites
their operations: number of hours of work, duration, compensation, executable Finding a course in Iceland is not easy because this practice is not common in
tasks, conditions of work. graduate studies, and the mastery of Icelandic is often expected in addition to
At higher education level, this practice is just emerging and there are not yet
clearly established rules. These periods of courses within companies may be English. Students must therefore redouble their efforts to be able to have this
arranged during or after studies with no minimum duration. Remuneration is not unique and very rewarding experience.
systematic, but the signature of a course contract is recommended.
CV and covering letter
Administrative formalities Icelanders attach a lot of importance to this, so it is necessary to take care
An Icelandic identity number is essential to open a bank account. and to follow their recommendations: maximum one page, easily readable and
✓ For foreigners who remain for less than three months, the host company will understandable, often including a photograph. The covering letter should show an
make the request. interest in the company, and prove that the applicant can meet the requirements
✓ For those staying for more than three months, registration at the national of the position.
office or the municipal office of the place of residence is necessary to obtain Tips and examples:
an ID number. ec.europa.eu/eures/vivre et travailler/Islande - vinnumalastofnun.is
For people from a country outside the EU or EEA, a residence permit is required It may be advantageous to target companies engaged in Franco-Islandic relations,
and must be requested from the Iceland immigration services: : utl.is. see the website of the Franco-Islandic Chamber of Commerce: fris.is/membres
In Iceland, every working person must pay taxes. This system is called PAYE (Pay- General websites to help applicants understand Iceland's socio-economic
As-You-Earn). The tax card must be submitted to the employer to obtain reductions situation:
in the levy. Otherwise, the latter is obliged to take the maximum amount. To find
out more about this card and how to obtain it: rsk.is. o Icelandic Employment Agency : vmst.is
o Eures portal: eures.is
Business directory
o infoiceland.is/Industries of Iceland
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