From the streets of Norway to the bricks of North Platte, junior Christel Einan has definitely experienced a culture shock. “It is so different here than it is in Norway. The school here is so much bigger. Our entire high school in Norway is only 200 people,” said Einan.

The town Einan is from is only 5,000 people total, compared to the 25,000 people who live in North Platte. “I knew that Nebraska existed, but I had never heard of North Platte before I came here,” said Einan.

“My top two choices of where to come were either Nebraska or Illinois,” said Einan.  “I was just so tired of Norway, I was very ready for something new and to experience a different culture.”  She said that she has always wanted to go to the United States, and she’s glad that she’s finally been able to do that.

One of the most abnormal things that Einan has noticed in North Platte is the school spirit.“People here are so into sports, and in Norway, the most popular sport is soccer or handball, but we do not have any sports in school,” she said. Einan is planning to participate in track and field this spring. “There are so many things to do here. There are activities, projects, clubs, and sports.  There are many more opportunities here than there are in Norway,” she said.

Einan said that the thing she misses most about Norway is her family and friends. “Saying goodbye to them was hard, but I know I will see them again. I think it will be harder to say goodbye to my friends here because I don’t know when I will see them again,” she said.

Einan loves how people in North Platte are so friendly. “It’s only been a month, but I love it so much here already.”