Thursday Takeover Insights
Published: 5/4/25
Emma is 20 years old, and a visiting student from Norway, that has studied at Hawaii Pacific University for the past 7 months.
(The Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semester).
Some things Emma loves about Hawaii is snorkeling, finding new coffee shops, cultural events, and tanning.
Emma’s Takeover Insights
The bus is pretty great for exploring Honolulu, and get to school. But to explore other parts of the island it’s much easier with a car.
I think all of my classes are really interesting. I really like the variety in classes I have, because it has helped me find out what I like and what I want to study when I get home to Norway.
I came here straight from high school (Vidaregående) so I can’t compare it to college in Norway. But I think school here is lot like high school in Norway because we are expected to show up to class and we have classes almost every day – depending on the schedule.
In my experience no. All of the teachers I have had and from what I have heard from others, the teachers are really understanding of that English is out second language.
I have school from Monday through Thursday, but only 2/3 classes each day. So after school I have time to go to the beach, go for walks, shopping and just exploring and enjoying life here. During the weekends I love going to the beach, snorkle, hikes/walks, watch the sunset and explore the island
There are a lot of differences…. The climate here is really different, the weather is almost always nice so I’m a lot more outside doing stuff because it’s so much easier when it’s not raining, or icy and snowing. What I really love here is that I’m able to go to the beach whenever I want and It’s also really fun to explore a different culture and climate than I’m used to.
For me it’s not been super difficult. I started learning and talking English pretty early, and I have family from the states, that I have talked a lot to in English so I feel pretty comfortable with it.
I miss my family a lot, but I actually thought it would be more difficult than it is. There is always a lot of stuff to do here, so that keeps me busy. It also helps a lot to be able to Facetime and text with my family. I think traveling here with one of my best friends from home also helped with home sickness.
There are so many beautiful beaches here, I have yet to find one I don’t like. But one of my top favorites has to be Waimea Bay.
I haven’t been to a lot of hikes but I really like the pillboxes. Lanikai pillbox must be my favorite, the views are amazing and the beach is so beautiful.
That must be Gen Kbbg at Ala Moana Center. The food is so good, and it’s all you can eat so you really get your money worth.
All international students are very different from each other, but something everyone shares is the excitement of experiencing something new.
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