Notes on my experience in Fab Lab Reykjavik
I worked as an intern for 10 weeks in Fab Lab Reykjavik along with two other people from Finland. Here's some random notes I've written down on the subject.
Coming from a handcraft background Fab Lab has broadened my perspective on what is doable, not only with the tech but with the community as well. I see tremendous potential in the concept and it really seems to be bringing people from all sorts of backgrounds together. There's a distinct attitude towards all things Fab Lab in the traditional handcrafts community and for some it's a matter of honor and purity to stay awayrom technology developed after a chosen period of time. Though I think it wouldn't hurt them to at least keep an open mind towards Fab Lab, I also think a lot can be learned from the traditional handcrafts. They are fading fast, only kept alive by the community learning and using those techniques. I think both could learn a lot from each other and work together.
Our accomodation in Reykjavik was found on AirBnb and payd for by eRasmus fund along with the flights. Some money was left from that for us to spend how we wish. I also received a raised student funding from the goverment. It has been enough to be able to enjoy our trip fully, even with higher cost of living in Iceland. It is possible to live on a tighter budget too if needed.
Since we shared accomodation with the group of four interns (one was in another workplace) we also saw fit to rent a car for the duration of our stay. This meant more freedom in transportation, carpooling to work, sightseeing independent of tourist flows but of course a bit more expense compared to the bus tickets. Personally I would've been fine with more walking and bus rides, but as a group it made sense. We rented through SADCars, which offers cheap and easy service and yes the cars are a little bit sad but they work. For the rougher roads in Iceland you do need a better car than our Toyota Yaris and of course good weather so when renting, do keep that in mind.
The sightseeing part is obviously a great bonus with working in Iceland. The regular attractions are for a very good reason full of tourists. Even with that minor nuisance the scenery will stay with me forever.
Meeting the beautiful people and networking has been awesome and will definitely be valuable in the future too. I found it very easy to get to know people in Iceland and there's usually people from all over the world coming your way if you're open. It was very inspiring for me to finally connnect to outside of Finland. You could say the world opened up to me.
Most people, especially in the capital area will speak english without a grunt. In Isafjördur I noticed that some older people don't handle it, but generally you can except to survive easily with english. I found that some people do appreciate if you at least try to speak icelandic. Just a small phrase here and there and break a lot of ice and it shows that you're not just an arrogant tourist.
In Fab Lab too being open to the local language helped a lot. Any way to connect with a person, who walks through the door on open hours, is beneficial. Even the most introverted nerd not really saying much shares a common interest with probably all people in there. So finding a techy thing to talk about can be the difference between that nerd walking out the door within the first 5 minutes and getting a new regular visitor. A new friend at best.
For my personal projects I brought my own materials from Finland. Mostly natural materials that I'm familiar with and use a lot at school. Leather, bone, antler, bronze etc. It was much easier bringing small samples to test on than trying to find and buy them in Iceland.
I took some time to practice Inkscape and Tinkercad beforehand to prepare for the work in the Lab. I had previous experience with Sketchup. I ended up teaching a lot fo Inkscape to my fellow interns which was good since I learned how to teach and the runners of the Fab Lab got more time for other stuff. Win win.
I've definitely learned a lot about teaching. There's a wide range of different kinds of people coming in and you have to be ready and open to be able to teach them. Kids is still the hardest group for me but I got a bit more familiar with that too. People can be at a very different level of skill so you might be answering comlicated questions to which you just barely know the answer to and next you're working with someone who can barely use a mouse. Here patience is a great trait to have. Also you learn to explain things differently to different people. I found that very interesting, learning how to read people and figure out how stuff can be explained to them so they understand. Everyone thinks a bit differently. And learns a bit differently. I found this the most satisfying part in teaching. At times, the most irritating too admittedly.
I also got the opportunity to eavesdrop on the Fab Academy group in Reykjavik. Especially the first talk by Neil was extremely inspirational for me. I remember being hyper for a couple of days after that. It truly open my mind to what this movement is capable of. I'm quite confident I will some day do Fab Academy too.
Most of what I worked with in Iceland seems like an on going project. Little parts of the techniques I would be using for future work. Even the final project that I'm still working on seems like the first in many iterations of the same product. I feel much the same way about the things I learn in my school. An overwhelming set of skills that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I see these as tools just as distinct as the tools in my workshop. Acquired, versatile companions to help me create what ever I may dream of. I'm quite grateful of how heavy my toolbox is now after working in Fab Lab.
