Frequently Asked Questions

So glad you asked!

We are a faith-based non-profit organization. We empower people of any background to pursue their purpose through community, exploration, and service, and we do this by bringing groups and individuals on transformative experiences to Iceland. An experience with Compass is designed to cultivate purpose-minded individuals who foster belonging, justice, and hope, locally and globally.

Read more about us here:

https://compasspath.org/mission-vision

And meet our team here:

https://compasspath.org/compassteam

We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the trip expenses will differ from program to program. Please speak directly with a staff member regarding your specific trip's arrangements, and/or view your trips informational page for those details.

If you are concerned about cost, we encourage you to speak with a Compass staff member! We work really hard to make this program affordable for everyone, and if you dream of going on a Compass trip but are concerned about the cost, we will do all that we can to make it a possibility for you.

Most of our participants fundraise to cover their trip expenses. Compass provides all participants with a personalized fundraising page that will allow them to collect donations, as well as various supports and resources to help with the fundraising process.

Additionally, Compass has a limited amount of needs-based financial aid available by application only, on a first-come first-served basis. Please contact a Compass staff member to request the financial aid application at info@compasspath.org.

We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the onboarding process can differ slightly from program to program.

Typically though, we will have an application that will ask for basic contact and demographic information as well as a few short answer questions.

We also request that you upload a headshot (even a selfie works!). Once we have received those materials one of our Compass staff members will set up a 20 minute call with you. This call is an informal interview that allows us the chance to get to know you, and you the chance to get to know us and the program. Bring your questions!

Our team will then review these materials to ensure this is a good fit, and will be in touch shortly to let you know whether or not you are accepted into the program.

If you are accepted into the program, your spot is not officially confirmed until you have paid your deposit.

Please note: Because we work with vulnerable populations on these trips, your acceptance into the program will ultimately be contingent upon the results of a background check.

Compass offers a variety of different programs, so it depends on the program. Some are specifically for high school or college-aged students, so those ones do have a strict minimum and maximum age. Check with a Compass staff member to verify the age requirements for your specific trip.

Adults-only trips are for those 18+. For intergenerational trips, we encourage people of all ages to go on the trip, but the minimum recommended age is 7, and any minors on an intergenerational trip must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

There is no maximum age, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

While this trip doesn’t involve dangerous situations, intense physical labor, or extreme heat, there are still components of the trip that could prove to be strenuous or overwhelming.

We ask that each individual fully understand what the trip involves and decide for themselves if they believe it is something they are up for.

Some things to consider:

• There is a significant time zone difference, and jetlag can be exhausting.

• While we encourage everyone to take breaks and rest throughout the program, the primary aim of the trip is service, not leisure. Pouring out to others can be very tiring.

• On a couple of days, we do a significant amount of walking. There are ways that we may be able to adjust the amount of walking to accommodate anyone with limited mobility, but it could mean being separate from the group.

• Iceland has great healthcare facilities. There is a hospital located less than 10 minutes away from where we will be staying should any medical needs arise.

• For groups sleeping at the church: The sleeping mats we provide are about 3 inches deep and offer decent comfort, but are obviously very different from a real mattress. If getting up and down off of a sleeping mat on the floor isn’t going to be feasible for you, you are welcome to pack a deeper air mattress for yourself; just make sure you also bring an outlet converter.

• Compass will make as many accommodations as we are able to support the emotional, physical and dietary needs of our participants, but we can only do so if you report any needs you may have to us in advance.

We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the housing situation will differ from program to program. Please speak directly with a staff member regarding your specific trip's arrangements.

Some groups stay at the Salvation Army building the whole time. There is one large room where the group would stay. Compass will provide inflatable sleeping mats for all participants, but participants will need to bring their own pillow and sleeping bag.

Other groups will be housed in a nearby hostel for the entire duration of the trip. The hostel has group rooms with simple bunk beds and communal bathrooms (think college dorm style). There will be multiple rooms varying in size, but no one who is outside of our group will be sleeping in the same room as us.

Other groups will do a combination of sleeping at the church and at a hostel.

With all shared living spaces, we ask everyone to respect group living guidelines, such as having all participants get changed in the bathroom and come in and out of the shower fully clothed, and agreeing on a shower rotation, etc.

Some meals will be prepared by our own team, with food we get from a local grocery store, while other meals will be prepared by the Salvation Army staff. Compass will have light snacks on hand (fruit, chips, granola bars etc) for in between meals.

On a couple of occasions, we will go out to eat or order from local restaurants. On travel days (airport travel and tourism day) we will do bagged lunches.

On our medical form, we ask participants to list all dietary restrictions and will use that information to plan meals accordingly.

Compass is well-equipped to navigate various dietary restrictions/food allergies. We have had at least one person with some kind of dietary restriction on every trip we’ve led.

Compass is committed to making trips as accessible as possible, and we will make as many accommodations as we are able to support our participants. We will ask all participants to fill out a medical form, and it is very important that you list any and all medical conditions you have so that we can best support you.

While there are local medical facilities nearby (including a hospital less than 10 minutes away) Compass does not have any trained medical professionals on hand. If you are concerned about your health on your trip, please consult a doctor.

There will be access to a refrigerator for anyone who needs it for medical purposes.

The CDC doesn’t currently require travelers from the US to Iceland to get any vaccinations beyond what is recommended for the general public. Compass highly recommends that all participants get the COVID-19 vaccination and stay up to date on booster shots due to the nature of the program, but it is not a requirement.

As for documents, all participants must have a passport valid for at least six months after our travel dates. If you are a US passport holder, no additional documentation is necessary. If you are a citizen of another country and don’t hold a US passport, you may need a visa in order to enter Iceland. Additionally, if you are in the US on a visa, you would need to double check that the visa will allow you to exit and re-enter the US. For more details on how to apply for or renew a US passport, as well as details on obtaining a visa for non-US citizens, please review the information here and reach out to a Compass staff member with any questions. Applying for visas and passports can take several months, so if you need either a visa or a passport, you must apply for one immediately to ensure you will be able to travel.

Included in the price of the program is traveler’s insurance that Compass will purchase. You should still bring a copy of your health insurance card with you on the program. Please note that if you fundraised to cover your trip expenses, those funds are considered donations and are therefore nonrefundable per IRS regulations.

If you have a sudden illness or major family emergency that would prevent you from being able to participate in a Compass trip after you have already paid in full, please contact a Compass staff member to discuss your options.

We hope so! Ultimately it will depend on your visa situation. We have had a number of international students over the years travel with Compass to Iceland (so it is possible), and we welcome participants of any nationality to participate in our programs. Our staff is equipped to help you navigate any extra steps this could involve such as visiting an embassy/consulate, visa requirements, and flights if you won't already be in the US at the time of the program. For more details on what these processes involve, please review this informational page.

Icelandic...

But most Icelanders also speak English, and a couple of other languages too. Compass will provide some Icelandic language lessons to program participants, but you are encouraged to practice on your own time too! Disney+ has a number of movies that are either dubbed in Icelandic or have Icelandic subtitles. Amazon Prime and Netflix also have some offerings that are either in Icelandic or are about Iceland. Unfortunately, because so few people in the world speak Icelandic, most language learning apps don't have Icelandic as one of their offerings. Two that we know of that do teach Icelandic are Pimsleur and Memrise.

Most of our Compass groups will encounter the refugee/asylum seeking/immigrant populations connected with the Salvation Army. These folks come from all over the globe, so there are dozens of different languages represented. If you know any other languages in addition to English, by all means brush up on it before your Compass trip. Or, if you have never learned a second language, we encourage you to take the plunge! It is always meaningful to be able to connect with someone in their native tongue.

We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the itinerary will differ from program to program. Please speak directly with a staff member regarding your specific trip's arrangements, and view the informational page for your specific trip.

We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the exact activities will differ from program to program. Please speak directly with a staff member regarding your specific trip's arrangements.

Our approach to international service is that we do whatever is needed of us. The frontlines of compassion services present ever-changing needs. Whether it's sorting clothing donations, running a summer camp, serving meals, participating in the church service, hanging out with teens at youth group, or providing free workshops in arts and sports — Compass is in constant communication with our Icelandic counterparts. We prepare each group for the specific work that's needed when we arrive. 

Our service in Iceland isn't just about doing; it's about being. We practice intentional presence and living our personal values during all portions of the trip to help us learn and grown ourselves. Many meaningful moments will come from relationships rather than tasks.

Although the primary purpose of our Compass trips are service and not leisure, there will be some opportunities for you to buy snacks or souvenirs should you choose.

We do not recommend that you bring cash. The places where you can do a cash exchange are few and far between, and the exchange rates are typically high. Pretty much every shop or restaurant we have ever encountered on our trips will accept debit/credit cards. (Please note though that very few places will accept Discover or American Express. Visa and Mastercard will work just fine.)

Just make sure you contact your bank in advance to let them know your travel dates.

Yes! We offer a variety of different programs in Iceland, so the list will differ slightly from program to program depending on the time of year and trip length. Please contact a Compass staff member to get the pack list for your specific trip.

We recommend that you leave all valuables at home. There is no need for you to have electronic devices, fancy jewelry etc on these trips. While we have not had problems with theft, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to keep valuables locked away safely for the entire duration of the trip. Participants may bring a camera at their own risk.

The pack list will also include your luggage allowance for the flight when applicable. If Compass is purchasing your plane tickets, you will need to pay attention to the weight and dimension requirements for luggage. Anyone who exceeds the pre-approved amounts will need to cover any additional fees incurred out of pocket.

Compass welcomes people of any background to participate, there is a seat at the table for you!

We are a faith-based organization, but offer a variety of different programs. Some are specifically designed with the purpose of helping people grow in their Christian faith (such as our intergenerational mission trips and Summer Discipleship Program), while others do not contain those religious elements, (such as our service-learning spring break trips). If you are not sure about which Compass program would be a good fit for you, please reach out to one of our Compass staff members.

There are currently no offerings for year-round employment with Compass, but the best way to stay in touch and hear about potential openings is to subscribe to our Compass newsletter. You can do that by clicking on the blue button at the bottom of the page.

We do hire program instructors on a rolling basis to lead teams to Iceland. Program instructors must be at least 21 years of age and have suitable experience, among other qualifications. Instructors are paid a stipend for each trip they lead, and all their travel expenses are covered by Compass.

We are also frequently looking for volunteers to help mentor participants during our programs. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have suitable experience, among other qualifications. All travel expenses are covered by Compass, and if you are volunteering to fulfill a requirement for an internship/practicum, we would be happy to discuss with you ways that we can adjust your role (within reason) to meet your requirements.

If you or someone you know would be interested in either a program instructor role, or a program volunteer role, please contact us at info@compasspath.org.

Anyone can get hurt anywhere, so we would be amiss to promise the impossible. However...

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, and heavily relies on tourism, so it is a place where foreigners are welcome. It is a very pedestrian-friendly location, and the whole country has a very low crime rate.

There are no components of our program that involve dangerous activities, but we always encourage our participants to utilize good ol' common sense wherever they are.

Should someone get ill or sustain an injury on the trip, there are many medical facilities that are easily accessible in close proximity to where our groups are staying.

Compass offers a variety of different programs, and therefore the paperwork requirements vary depending on the program.

In addition to the application materials, you will also need to submit a variety of other forms (medical, financial, waivers, travel documents etc). Participants under the age of 18 will need to have additional paperwork from their parents/guardians, and participants over the age of 18 will need to fill out a consent form to have a background check performed on them for the safety of those we serve.

Everyone who goes to Iceland must have a valid passport. If you do not have a valid passport, you should apply for one immediately to ensure that you have it in time to travel. You can visit this page for more information on how to do that.

Contact a Compass staff member for the specific paperwork needs of your trip.

Compass offers a variety of different programs, and each one will differ slightly depending on the program. Typically though, the things that are expected of you prior to the trip are:

• Doing your interview

• Submitting all your paperwork

• Fundraising/paying for your trip in full

• Participating in pre-trip meetings

• Practicing Icelandic :)

• Packing appropriately

When you travel to Iceland with Compass, we will equip you with all you will need to know to have a fantastic experience. On a Compass program, we will go much more in depth than this, but for now, if you want a peek at some of the Iceland travel tips we've compiled, fill out this form and we will send you our travel tips brochure.