Hello! My name is Kristine. I’m a 17-year-old girl from Norway, and I’m about to embark on an exciting journey. Currently, I live in Trondheim with my family and our two dogs, but at the end of August, I’ll be moving to Ireland for a year-long exchange program. Here in Trondheim, I attend Thora Storm High School, where I have an amazing class and wonderful friends. In my free time, I love working out, listening to music, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
Family Adventures in the United States
This past summer, my family and I went on a vacation to the United States, and we had an incredible time. The photo above was taken during our trip—I'm in the front, with my little brother Henrik right behind me, and my mom Marianne and dad Bjorn in the back. We spent three weeks exploring California, Arizona, and Nevada, visiting places like Universal Studios, Hollywood, and the Grand Canyon.
One family member missing from the picture is my big sister Helene. She’s 24 years old, has moved out, and is currently studying in Bergen. Helene also did an exchange year seven years ago in the US and had such a positive experience, which is one of the reasons I’m inspired to do an exchange year myself.
Celebrating Norway’s National Day: 17th of May
This is a photo of me and my friends taken on the 17th of May, which is Norway’s National Day. It’s my favourite day of the year because of the rich traditions we celebrate. We wear our national costume, called the "Bunad" (which you can see in the picture), and we march through the streets singing and waving our flags. The day is filled with delicious food and time spent with loved ones.
While I enjoy big celebrations like the 17th of May, I also love relaxing with my friends and family. Whether it's watching a movie, going shopping, bowling, or having a picnic, I cherish these moments. My family and I also enjoy travelling, visiting our cabin, or simply chilling out at home.
Kickboxing: My Favourite Workout
I mentioned earlier that I love to work out, and kickboxing is my favourite way to stay active. I’ve been practising kickboxing for almost two years now, and it’s not only a fun workout but also a great way to challenge myself. The picture above is from my grading where I earned my orange belt, and the one below is from when I won my first match.
While I love kickboxing, I’m also excited to try something new when I go to Ireland. It would be amazing to experience something completely different for a year—maybe I’ll even learn some Riverdance or try Gaelic football!
Why I Chose Ireland for My Exchange Year
Why did I choose Ireland as my host country? Although I’ve never been to Ireland before, I’ve seen pictures, heard stories, and read about the country. I love spending time outdoors, and from what I’ve seen, Ireland’s nature is stunning. It’s called “The Emerald Isle” for a reason, so I thought it would be the perfect destination for me.
The culture also seems fascinating, and I’m eager to learn more about it. Everyone I’ve spoken to who has been to Ireland has told me that Irish people are incredibly friendly, funny, and welcoming. So, one day last summer, I made the decision—Ireland is where I want to go for my exchange year.
A Mix of Nerves and Excitement
This is a picture of me and my friends in front of a beautiful sunset taken this summer. I’m the one on the left with the hat, standing next to my friends Amalie, Carmina, and Astrid. As you can see, the nature here in Norway is also breathtaking. As I write this post, it’s less than a week until I head to the Welcome Camp in London.
To be honest, I’m both nervous and excited. I’m excited to do something completely different for a year, to meet new people, and to experience a different culture. But I’m also nervous about being away from my family and friends for so long. Moving to a new country alone at 17 is a bit scary, but I’m confident that it will be a great experience and that I’ll learn a lot from it!
Thank you for following along on my journey!
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