Last summer, Jed Spencer ’25 traveled to Iceland and the Faroe Islands, lands of lore known for glaciers, lava fields, geothermal pools, black-sand beaches, active volcanoes, and …sheep. Lots of sheep.
“The highlight of my trip was our three-day stay on the island of Svinoy, one of the most remote of the Faroe Islands,” says Jed. “While on Svinoy, we went on many hikes, a morning run, swam in the freezing Atlantic Ocean, and were given plenty of free time to explore the very small village—Svinoy has only four year-round residents. However, everywhere the eye could see there were sheep. We went on multiple hikes across the island and saw endless fields of sheep along the way. we learned that every single sheep in the Faroe Islands belongs to someone even if they appear to be wild. One night after eating dinner at our host’s home, her children taught us how to wrangle and shear the sheep with old clippers. We sheared sheep after sheep in the barn.”
Jed’s time in Iceland was a mix of cultural and historical studies, exploration, and education around environmental sustainability. Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, is a leader in green energy infrastructure, climate science, and climate change education. Jed learned about cutting edge renewable energy and spent time with geologists in Reykjavík’s geothermal power plant.
“Our schedule in the Faroe Islands was much more relaxed with a larger focus on exploration and culture. We took ferries to the more remote islands. These ferries ended up being some of the greatest parts of the trip. The views were amazing and the only noise was the sounds of the water, winds, and birds,” Jed recalls. “On one boat ride, we learned about ghost towns on the Faroes and saw hundreds of puffins flying around the cliffs. Our guide told us countless facts about puffins and other birds in the Faroes.”
Jed’s days were also filled with long hikes, lagoon swims, and stunning natural beauty, including the lake over the ocean in Sørvágsvatn.
“This trip had a big impact on me as a person. Meeting 14 strangers and then going on this adventure with them created an unexpectedly strong bond,” says Jed. “I learned that being myself is extremely freeing and important because the students from the program know me for who I am. As a student, I learned to be curious. I asked the locals many questions and loved listening to the stories they shared.”
Jed’s travel was made possible in part by a Robert Keyes Poole ’50 Fellowship grant. Established in memory of Robert Keyes Poole ’50, Taft teacher from 1956 to 1962, Poole Fellowships are awarded each year to enable Taft students to engage in travel or in projects consistent with Mr. Poole’s lifetime interest in wildlife and the environment.