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When University of Arkansas at Monticello students Arley-Beth Cravey and Kailley White, both English majors, enrolled in classes with Professor Sarah Woods in the fall of 2023, they never anticipated it would lead to a two-week internship in Iceland the following summer.

Woods, a native of Denmark, accepted a position as the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at UAM to teach two classes during the fall 2023 semester. At the Denmark National School for Performing Arts, Woods, who is a playwright, co-leads the Master of Fine Arts program in Performing Arts. Themes of her teaching include the role of story in individuals’ lives and society, how creativity works, art for social change and the changing role of the artist in a complex world.

“During the semester, I mentioned to Professor Woods that I was exploring graduate schools in the UK and shared my passion for Scandinavian studies, like folklore, sagas and Beowulf,” White said. “When Professor Woods heard that, it clicked for her. She said, ‘Oh, I'm working on this project in Iceland,’ and everything took off from there. I met with Dr. Emily Lethbridge, the director of the Árni Magnússen Institute for Icelandic Studies in Reykjavík, Iceland, where the project was based, to discuss a possible internship. About a week later, Arley-Beth got involved too when she impressed Professor Woods during a final project.”

In June 2024, Cravey and White embarked for Reykjavík, Iceland, for their internship at the Árni Magnússen Institute. Their focus was uncovering the stories of marginalized women in ancient Iceland through the institute’s ongoing project, Kvennasspor, which aims to revive these voices and showcase their contributions to society.

“Scandinavian sagas are fascinating, especially since they often focus on male characters and their adventures,” White explained. “The institute does important work to highlight the women’s stories in these sagas. They’re looking for moments where women play a key role and trying to bring those narratives to the forefront, helping scholars recognize the contributions of women in history.”

As part of their project, Cravey and White ventured to Borgarnes to explore the landscape depicted in Egil’s Saga. They participated in the creation and performance of the drama “Getting to Brákarey,” which highlighted the tragic tale and sacrificial death of a woman named Thorgerd Brák, a character Cravey and White researched and discussed extensively during their time in Iceland. “Part of our project was to write notes reflecting on how Brák’s story inspired us and what courage means in our lives,” Cravey explained.

“The entire experience was fantastic, and I learned so much—not just about the methods of academic research but also about Iceland, its stories and how those stories still affect people today,” White said.

In addition to their research project, Cravey and White fully immersed themselves in Icelandic culture during their time overseas. They visited Thingvellir National Park, which is the site of Iceland’s ancient parliament, Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church, the National Museum of Iceland and the Icelandic Whale Museum. They also had the opportunity to attend the annual Icelandic National Independence Day city festival in Reykjavík on June 17, where Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson gave a speech to celebrate the eightieth birthday of the Icelandic Republic.

For Cravey and White, this marked their first international experience. “One of the biggest realizations I had during this trip was that the world is much bigger than I previously thought, and I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of traversing it safely,” White said.

When reflecting on her gratitude for the new relationships she formed at UAM that led to this opportunity, Cravey noted, “This experience taught me to get to know and connect with my professors better because they have connections and can offer great opportunities.”

“It’s really cool that now we’re good friends with Professor Woods and Dr. Lethbridge, and the four of us have discussed our hopes to collaborate on a future project if something comes up,” White said. “It was an amazing opportunity, and we are really thankful for it.” 

Dr. Steven Harper, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at UAM, stated, “This extraordinary opportunity for these students was a result of the power of human connection. UAM is constantly seeking ways to expand our students' horizons, to enlarge their conceptions of what is possible for them. Because of Dr. Kay Walter and Associate Vice Chancellor Mark Spencer, UAM was able to host Professor Sarah Woods, whose unique perspective on human potential struck a chord with Kailley and Arley-Beth. They, in turn, brought a sense of openness and curiosity that resonated with Professor Woods. The internship in Reykjavík was neither the beginning nor the culmination of this fruitful collaboration; it was, however, the kind of life-changing experience that results from UAM connecting our students to the broader intellectual community and giving them the confidence to take their rightful places.”

As they finish their individual reports to complete their internship, the impact of Cravey and White’s time in Iceland extends far beyond the academics that began in the classroom. Both students express a renewed passion for their fields, inspired to continue exploring and sharing the untold stories of women throughout history. 

Cravey’s report, “Icelandic Identity Through Story,” examines key periods of Icelandic history, including their settlement, transition to Christianity and evolution from a poor vassal state to independence, as well as how this history influences their culture today. Cravey will present her report at the Arkansas Philological Association on November 9 at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

White’s report, “The Legacy of Laxardols Unn,” examines the historical figure Unn, one of Iceland’s first settlers, and how perceptions of her have evolved from poetic admiration in the past to modern tributes, showcasing her inspiration across generations. White will present her report at the 2025 Alpha Chi National Convention in the spring.