When Guðrún Kristín Kristinsdóttir, better known as Stína, discovered the Intercultural Encounters (ICE) Master’s Programme at the University of Helsinki, it was almost by accident. “I found the ICE program just by googling something like ‘culture studies,’” she laughs.
Initially unsure if she wanted to apply to universities abroad, finding ICE online and feeling a sense of connection to Finland, Stína took an opportunity.
That moment of chance turned into a defining chapter in her life.
Coming from a background in anthropology at the University of Iceland, Stína was already passionate about understanding human experiences. But she felt a pull toward something broader: something interdisciplinary, international, and open-ended. “I had no idea what to expect,” she says.
Now, with her master’s thesis submitted and a new internship in digital anthropology ahead, she’s reflecting on an experience that helped her define her academic identity, forge lifelong friendships, and shape her future.
A Space to Grow: Academically and Personally
From the first semester, Stína was struck by the ICE programme’s flexible and student-centered approach. She describes a valuable structure where students are trusted to work in the way they work best. There’s space to explore what you care about, she says.
She completed the Global Transfers and Communication & Media modules, choices that aligned with both her anthropological training and her evolving interest in digital culture. Her thesis work, supervised by an academic professional of her choosing, allowed her to take ownership of her topic and process.
“I was very happy with the way that I could take control of it, write about what I wanted to write about, and do the research that I wanted to do—with guidance, with realistic advice and help, and space to make mistakes as well,” Stína remarks.
This independence helped her realize she could present herself not just as an anthropologist, but specifically as a digital anthropologist. That sense of independence shaped not just her academic path, but also her professional future.
From Helsinki to Iceland: Putting ICE into Practice
After graduation, Stína is returning to Iceland to begin a traineeship with CCP Games, a well-known video game company. There, she’ll work in marketing and player research, a role that directly connects to her academic work.
“My master’s degree definitely helped me get this job,” she explains, after discussing how the interdisciplinary training and soft skills, like communication, academic writing, and working across cultures made her stand out.
She also noted that Finland’s higher education system made a lasting impression.
“Studying in Finland is the best in the world,” she says. “The country of Finland accommodates students so well. You can get stuff for cheap because you’re a student, you can rent a student apartment for an affordable price, you can eat at UniCafe for less than three euros every single day, multiple times a day.”
A Culture of Connection
For Stína, the ICE programme wasn’t just about what happened in the classroom. It was about the community.
“There has been a very tight group of people, and an intimate atmosphere of people who are connecting,” she says. “These are some of the best friends that I’ve made in my life.”
She recalls moments that defined her experience: “In the beginning of my degree, I was going through a lot of changes. I went through a breakup, moved to a different country, and moved out of my parents’ place for the first time. I was really nervous, without realizing how nervous I was. Then me and a few people from my year had a hangout, bought wine, and just talked. That’s one of my favorite memories. I was like, I needed this.”
Celebrating milestones together also became a hallmark. “There’s so much celebrating others, because someone’s always accomplishing something—defending a thesis, finishing an assignment, an exam. There’s always someone celebrating, which I think is so special.”
Advice to Future Students
To anyone considering ICE, Stína she encourages them to be intentional and open to exploration.
“Consider your previous studies, what interests you’ve developed, and how you could strengthen that,” she says. “But also, if you want to venture out, ICE is a very good programme for that. You can really take different paths.”
Having found ICE online, she laughs “If you Googled your way to it, just do it.”
Looking Ahead
While she’s excited about her next chapter, Stína admits it’s bittersweet.
“I’m really sad to be leaving the program, but I feel like it’s been such a good time. It has been such a safety net, such a bubble.”
To end, she describes feeling prepared and ready for the future. “I feel like it’s the right time to leave,” Stína says.