Finding home in the Arctic: Conestoga student reflects on her north2north exchange in Norway
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning student Tækkyon Kesselring’s north2north-funded semester at the University of Agder offered a transformative blend of academic growth, cultural immersion, and international connection, showcasing how student mobility strengthens global awareness, Arctic engagement, and cross-cultural learning.
For Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning student Tækkyon Kesselring, studying abroad wasn’t just about earning credits, it was about discovery, connection, and personal growth. The second-year Bachelor of Computer Science student spent the Fall 2025 semester at the University of Agder in Norway, an experience that she describes as “transformative” and “eye-opening.” Her journey was made possible through UArctic’s north2north program, which fosters mobility and collaboration among students across the circumpolar region.
Through the program, Kesselring received a scholarship valued at NOK 75,845 (approximately $9,400 CAD) to help cover living expenses and academic costs during her semester abroad from August to December. The funding allowed her to focus on coursework and cultural exploration, taking part in advanced computer science classes while building international networks with peers from across Europe.
In a reflection shared with Conestoga’s Global Initiatives Office, Kesselring described how her experience evolved over time, “After the two-month mark, I started to get fully settled in, and it’s really starting to feel like home here,” she said. “Studies have been (happily) uneventful, many group projects, but all of my groupmates have been great to work with.”
Beyond academics, Kesselring made the most of her time in Norway by embracing new adventures and friendships. “I went on a road trip across the country with some friends at the start of the month, where many of the uploaded photos were taken,” she shared. “Overall, this has been such an amazing experience so far - being able to learn about life in Norway and making so many friends with people from Europe has been incredible.”
The exchange was coordinated by Conestoga College’s Global Initiatives Office, which facilitates international study opportunities and supports students throughout their experience abroad. The office plays an important role in helping students like Kesselring navigate the logistics of studying overseas (from academic preparation to cultural adaptation).
Kesselring’s semester in Norway highlights the growing importance of student mobility in building global and Arctic awareness. Programs like north2north connect students, educators, and institutions across the circumpolar world, emphasizing shared learning between Northern and Arctic communities. For students, this means access to educational pathways that combine technical expertise with cross-cultural understanding, which are essential skills for addressing the complex challenges facing the North and beyond.
Kesselring’s story also underscores the community and personal impacts of international learning. Living and studying in Norway gave Kesselring firsthand insight into Arctic innovation, environmental stewardship, and the cultural diversity of Northern Europe. Through engaging directly with peers from different backgrounds, she gained new perspectives on how technology can be used to support communities, sustainability, and global cooperation.
Kesselring’s experience will be featured in Conestoga’s upcoming Global Opportunities newsletter, where she hopes her story will encourage more students to take part in study-abroad and exchange programs, “Being able to live in a new country, adapt to a different culture, and connect with people from all over the world has been one of the best parts of my education so far,” she reflected. “It’s an experience I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life."