Exchange student savors small town life in Giltner

Kristian Kvia compares life in Nebraska to living on the Norwegian coast

  • Norwegian exchange student Kristian Kvia has been enjoying his time at Giltner High School. He has participated in new sports like football and basketball and is considering joining the track team in the spring.
    Norwegian exchange student Kristian Kvia has been enjoying his time at Giltner High School. He has participated in new sports like football and basketball and is considering joining the track team in the spring.
  • Kristian Kvia (far right) has enjoyed spending time with his host family in Giltner. Pictured with Kvia, in front from left, are host grandparents Mary Ann and Jerry Hinriches. Back row: Jacey Klassen, Josh Hinrichs, Sierra Eastman and Ben Hinrichs.
    Kristian Kvia (far right) has enjoyed spending time with his host family in Giltner. Pictured with Kvia, in front from left, are host grandparents Mary Ann and Jerry Hinriches. Back row: Jacey Klassen, Josh Hinrichs, Sierra Eastman and Ben Hinrichs.

    When he arrived in Giltner from Oslo, Norway, last summer, exchange student Kristian Kvia had one goal for his year in rural Nebraska: to say yes to everything. From Friday-night football and basketball practices to construction projects, fast food chains and small-town friendships, Kvia has embraced every opportunity during his year-long exchange at Giltner High School — finding a second home far…