High School Study Abroad Program in Norway

Greenheart Travel was among my first choices of travel agencies for my year abroad in Norway. I started the process long before I actually needed too, but they were always there for me along the way. 2020/2021 was a very difficult year for any student, let alone a student going abroad. The Greenheart staff was beyond supportive, and was always there whenever I needed any advice. They gave me amazing support with the whole application and visa process as well. I will continue any journeys abroad with Greenheart in the future.

Have had the idea to live in Norway for as long as I could remember and seeing that it was possible to do high school abroad program I thought all my dreams had come true! I picked Greenheart because I got the best impression from them and how communicative they were with answering questions and video chatting before applying and being accepted. The actual program was an entire different story. I paid $16k to get physically and mentally abused by my Danish host family while I was doing a Norwegian study program. The fact the family wasn't even Norwegian should've been a red flag to begin with. I understand there's only so much the company can do with screening families, but it's more so how Greenheart and their partner institution in Norway (STS) handled the situation. They continuously belittled me and downplayed the severity of the situation I was living in. I physically didn't feel comfortable living in my host family's house, after being threatened and manipulated numerous times- as well as having my independent phone plan shut off by them. I spent all my free time staying with friends and even some of my teachers at school who reached out to help. I had asked Greenheart/ STS to step in countless times, and called them nightly with my concerns. They were aware of all the gore details, but refused to do anything about it until my host family also requested I be transferred. My outlook on the program was tarnished after the first few months, but Greenheart/ STS couldn't understand why I had a hard time adjusting once I was placed in a new home. This experience was definitely one i'll never forget, and a lot of it I wish I could. It took almost a year for me to mentally get past what I experienced abroad through this program. The country and school was wonderful though! I definitely recommend traveling and doing study programs similar to this, just NOT through Greenheart.

I had an amazing time in Vennesla, Norway for my senior year of High School! I lived there for 7 months and loved every second of it. I am five years out from this experience, but it is still affecting many of my decisions for life. I changed from business and agricultural career aspirations to politics and global research. I am currently working towards my Master of Public Administration at the University of Washington with a focus in International Development. My love for anything global definitely stems from this experience.
My favorite memory was going skiing with my host family in Hovden. I had only gone once before and it was a great bonding experience for us. I still have so many friends back there. I have actually been back in Norway twice since to visit family and friends. Norway has a special place in my heart and I would not trade this experience for the world.