Moving from a city of over 265,000 people to one with 25,000 people could be a challenge for anyone. As an exchange student, Ingrid Kallestad is learning how to adapt to life in America.

Kallestad traveled to Neenah from Bergen, Norway.

As of Aug. 11, Kallestad has been living with Andrew and Deborah Safranski, her host family.

The first thing that stood out to Kallestad was the change in the scenery.

“I miss the ocean and the mountains. Where I live there is more nature than there is here,” she said with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

Kallestad is in her junior year at NHS. When starting school, she felt intimidated because she did not know anyone, and found it hard to make friends since there was little time to do so. She got over this obstacle by joining cross country. She plans on also doing track in the future to help her make friends.

In Norway, the school days are shorter, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending before 2 p.m. Kallestad feels overwhelmed with the workload. She is grateful that her teachers have been understanding and helpful.

Kallestad looks forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with her host family.

“I heard it’s a lot of food,” she said before adding, “my kind of holiday.”