The stereotype that Montana is full of cowboys has stretched all the way to Scandinavia, it seems. Emilie Ringvold is a junior foreign exchange student from Norway who describes her new home as “cowboy-style.”

Though she has had to adjust to American food, the language, and the size of Great Falls, Ringvold said she is looking forward to spending the year here.

        “Montana—it’s different [from Norway], but I like it,” Ringvold said. “But there [are] no people here; you feel alone.”

        Ringvold has plans to travel as much as possible while in the United States.

“I went to Yellowstone. It had a lot of different animals we don’t have in Norway,” she said. “I know we’re going to Washington and Colorado. And I’m going to Alaska in November.”

        Despite the fun plans Ringvold has made, there are still aspects of home that she misses, including friends and Norwegian food. To fill up weekends that Ringvold spent with friends, she wants to attend football games, something she has never done before. She is maintaining a positive attitude about the language barrier.

        “I’m looking forward to speak[ing] English better,” Ringvold said. “It is just hard to understand some words. But I’m getting there.”