Studying Linguistics and Old Norse in Iceland? (1 Viewer)

[Morwen Edhelwen]

So this year I'm finishing my HSC through Pathways, (did my last prelim subjects last year) and I'm pretty sure what I want to do for the rest of my life; become an academic and specialise in Old Norse-Icelandic Studies and Linguistics. I'm perfectly aware how difficult it is to become an academic, the fact it's going to take up years of my life, and also that everyone will probably say, "Don't do it." And to tell the truth, I can see the point of "Don't do it," because it DOES take up years of your life, but tbh I love the idea of basically doing research for a living along with some teaching, especially on Norse mythology, history, and culture, and on things like the history of languages and words. That probably makes me a 19-year-old idealist, but I'm a 19-year-old idealist who loves the idea even more now, especially since she's finishing high school this year.

I've thought and am still thinking of going to Iceland to do it, probably through exchange or as an international student, but my mum says, "No, get into university here first, do undergraduate here and THEN go to Iceland," which sounds like a good idea.

Bottom line is, I want to study Old Norse, linguistics, and Icelandic history and culture in Iceland sometime when I'm in uni, either next year through exchange or after that. I want to do it for its own sake, not for any ulterior motives, and so I can pick up Icelandic and soak up the culture by immersing myself in it, not just so I can yell at everyone I know, "I'm going to Iceland, guys! I'm so cool! And I'm gonna pick up some hot guys! " Looking at the University of Iceland's website shows that they take international students, but there's a deadline for application, and it's passed (damn). I think exchange or postgraduate might be a good idea, because the way I see it is if I'm going to spend years studying and researching my interests, it may as well be in a place I'm interested in.


But does anyone else have an opinion? Other than, "don't be an academic," of course .

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Chronost]

You should probably think about what you will do as a job to pay off your living expenses during post grad/looking for research/academic funding/job,the problem is because your so specific I doubt there's that many academic spots for it and before you know it they'll take someone local who knows all the European languages and the local culture/history(and many more years of study).You have to plan out what will happen when things don't go right, don't just chase your dream straight on, you might even have to come back to Australia eventually.

Just my opinion.

 

[Morwen Edhelwen]

You should probably think about what you will do as a job to pay off your living expenses during post grad/looking for research/academic funding/job,the problem is because your so specific I doubt there's that many academic spots for it and before you know it they'll take someone local who knows all the European languages and the local culture/history(and many more years of study).You have to plan out what will happen when things don't go right, don't just chase your dream straight on, you might even have to come back to Australia eventually.

Just my opinion.

When you say "a job," do you mean a part-time job or a full-time one? Quite a few (OK, all) of my friends have part-time jobs. Also, I might return to Australia to do some of the research here, assuming I get the marks I need to get there.

 

[Drongoski]

Going to be really hard to find a job I think. If so you may live to regret it.

Maybe first research for you is to find out how many universities are looking for academics with interest in Old Norse/Icelandic Studies.

 

[Morwen Edhelwen]

I know that there are three professors at USyd who do research in that field.