"I wanted to come to Norway for my exchange to learn more about the welfare system and how you teach children, as I thought it was very different from Spain. I didn't get to choose the university or the programme, but our two universities have this agreement that fitted nicely with my studies back home," says Zoe.
She has studied Education for Diversity and Sustainable Living and lived in Hamar for one semester.
The programme is 30 ECTS and offers insights into the Nordic welfare model, ecological processes and biodiversity, and how lifestyle choices influence social, economic and environmental development.
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"We didn't have practice but we had one observation in a high school and one in a primary school, and it was really nice. It's different here. In Spain, they're sitting at their desks most of the time with paperwork. In Norway, the kids are more free and school is more interactive," explains Zoe.
Norway is a sparsely populated country compared to spain but the smaller communities have everything you need. In Hamar, you can walk anywhere, no matter if you want to go shopping in the city or hiking in the forest. Oslo is also really close.
When asked about her favourite experience from her time in Norway, Zoe says the following:
"The best part was seeing the northern lights. I was at home, almost going to sleep, and one of my friends told me to come to the lake because they were in the sky. It was really late but I was like, yeah, I have to see it. It was really cool."
She also mentions the great activities on campus, for instance 'crafty wednesday' for arts and crafts or emotional support dogs visiting during exam periods to comfort nervous and stressed out students.
"I also go on a lot of walks here with my friends, because the lake area is so beautiful. And the paths are so long that you can walk for hours," says Zoe.