"The nature in Norway is unreal!"

Please introduce yourself

Hi! My name is Anacristina Villarreal, but everybody calls me Ana or Anacris. I am from Mexico, and I’m 22 years old. I study Psychopedagogy and Education at the University of Monterrey. I’m a forever bookworm, a big fan of the winter season and running is my stress reliever.

Why did you choose Norway?

I chose Norway because it is a Nordic country that is well known for its great quality of life as well as interculturality. Universities here are known to rank high in education and research. Besides that, Norway is full of incredible places and amazing nature.

What were your first impressions upon arrival?

The buddies and everyone else organising the arrival for the exchange students were really nice, organised and welcoming. The welcome exceeded my expectations. I felt super safe and cared for. Norway is a country I will definitely return to very soon.

What do you think about the courses you attended?

I really enjoyed them! I loved learning about Norwegian society and culture. Learning the Norwegian language has honestly been a challenge for me but it has proven to be worthwhile.

What do you like about Kristiansand and why?

I study on Campus Kristiansand and I love the fact that Kristiansand itself is a small and safe city. You also have the beach and good coffee places to go to.

What was one thing you discovered about Norway that was unexpected?

The unpredictable weather - it can be raining and then five minutes later it will be sunny. Also, the nature is unreal - no picture or video will capture what you see all around Norway!

What would you like to share about the university to your home country?

I’d love to share Norway’s cultural traditions and values with my home country, as well as to implement all the educational practices that I have learnt during my classes here in Norway. That way we can help to improve the educational system in Mexico.

What are the highlights of your time at UiA?

The greatest highlight for me is the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. Secondly, the lake behind the campus is one of my favourite spots. It’s fun to go for a swim after classes. Finally, living in the student residence at the university has been an amazing experience. (Oh, and Taco Friday at the canteen too!)