The relocation to Iceland has had a tremendous positive effect on the mental well-being of a 38-year-old American expatriate.

Jewells Chambers doesn't love everything about living in Iceland.

Despite having lived in Reykjavik for eight years, she still isn't fond of the four-hour daylight hours or the rain that often falls sideways. As a vegetarian, she sometimes longs for the greater variety of options at American supermarkets and the diversity of American restaurants.

Overall, though, the 38-year-old Brooklyn native isn't complaining.

Since 2018, Chambers has been the founder of All Things Iceland, which includes a podcast, YouTube channel, and social media brand. However, her love for Iceland's nature, history, and culture had already been deeply ingrained in her before she became a professional advocate for the country.

"Living in Iceland has had a tremendous impact on my mental health," she says. "The natural surroundings have helped me in numerous ways. Letting go of the belief that it always has to be about my skin color has helped."

A home away from home

Despite being a Black woman in a country where 94% of the population is native Icelandic, Chambers felt comfortable right away.

Despite divorcing her Icelandic husband in 2023, Chambers' family continues to welcome her with open arms.

Being part of an Icelandic family or marrying into one means spending a lot of time together. Luckily, my ex's family was very welcoming when I first moved over. His mom still watches my Instagram stories and likes them, and I've seen her a few times. His sister is a good friend of mine whom I see regularly.

"For nine years, certain individuals have been incredibly loving and kind to me."

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Icelandic coworkers and friends have shown Chambers warmth, and they were more interested in learning about her origins than fixating on her identity.

"Being from New York was what people were most interested in when we talked, and I loved that," she says. "It felt like being just Jewells from New York."

Iceland has a history of racism, which is not lost on Chambers.

"Unfortunately, some individuals have experienced terrible things, including being subjected to hurtful words or actions," she says. "I am fortunate to not have been one of those people, and I hope that such experiences will become less common as we increase our awareness."

Chambers claims that she does not experience the weight of systematic oppression in Reykjavik as she would at home.

And that makes her feel, well, at home.

"Chambers explains that she has a unique ability to disconnect from the weight of her experiences in the U.S., particularly those involving discrimination based on her skin color. Being in a safe and familiar environment has allowed her to feel at home and happy, which has kept her in the country."

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