ANNONSE NSB
Valentina Colò (22) from Italy, Abbas Momin (23) from the USA, Ingrid Cavé (22), Jof Loff (26) and Chloe Moei (20) from France. Norway is a special place Agder College is technologically savvy and Norwegians are attractive. But they don’t pick up their trash. The international students at HIA like the new campus at Gimlemoen and are excited to start their semester abroad. Abbas Momin (23) from Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, Valentina Coló (22) from Bologna, Italy and Ingrid Cavé (22) from Saumur, France are three out of a total of 110 students from 21 countries around the world that attend classes at Agder College this semester. <strong>–</strong> Why did you apply for Agder College? Valentina: It was a great opportunity. I couldn’t miss it. Norway is a different country. In Italy we don’t have a campus, it’s spread out around the whole city. Ingrid: I was planning to go to Canada, but they didn’t have the classes I needed. Norway is a special place, so I chose Norway. Abbas: Everybody goes to Spain, France or Germany. I wanted something different. Everything fell into place and I think it was destiny that I came to Norway. <strong>–</strong> What’s your first impression of the college? Ingrid: It’s very beautiful, very good. Abbas: It’s very technologically savvy. They have computers with Internet all over. Valentina: There are a lot of PC´s all over campus. We don’t have so many in Italy. In Italy there is also a distance between the teacher and the student. I haven’t been here long enough yet, but I think it’s more personal here. <strong>–</strong> What’s different here compared to your college back home? Valentina: The organization here, it is all very well organized. I can’t say more, because my classes haven’t started yet. Everybody speak English here. Abbas: It’s smaller than my university (University of Georgia), but that’s not entirely a bad thing. It gets more personal here. In a big university it is more difficult to meet people. <strong>–</strong> How do you finance your stay here and your studies? Ingrid: The region my university is in support me, and also my family. Valentina: The EU and my university give me 200 Euros a month, but that’s not even enough to cover my living expenses. Abbas: I’ve got a few scholarships. I also worked really hard this summer to get some spending money. <strong>–</strong> Have you made any friends here yet? Valentina: Mainly other international students.(And the other two agree.) Ingrid: We did the race last Saturday, and there we got to meet some Norwegian students that invited us to a barbeque. <strong>–</strong> What are your plans for the future? Valentina: You’ve got me there! (Laughs.) I want to travel the world, I want to work for a Non-governmental organization, but I want to see as much of the world as possible. I am confused still, but I have time. Abbas: I want to work as a CEO in a multimillion-dollar corporation! Ingrid: I want to travel as much as possible. I would like to work in a communication agency. I’m not sure, that’s my problem. <strong>–</strong> What do you like and dislike about Norwegians? Ingrid: I was surprised. I thought Norwegians were more respectful, but they leave all their trash around on the grass after lunch. Abbas: I think Norwegians are very attractive. Most all of them are physically fit and nicely dressed. They’re fashionable. Some of them, and especially the older crowd, seem to be fearful of strangers. Another thing I’ve noticed is that there are bikes everywhere. I have never seen so many bikes!!! Tekst og foto: Ingunn H. Olsson September <strong>2002</strong> <strong>Unikum</strong> 11