Barbara from Guatemala: Studying International Tourism and Sustainable Development at campus Bø

Barbara from Guatemala, hiking in Norway with new friends

Barbara has come all the way from Guatemala to study International Tourism and Sustainable Development here in Norway. Read about her experiences at USN here and see how many of the 22 Mayan languages she can speak.

Hi Barbara,

How are you? We have a few questions to you regarding your study exchange in Norway.

What did you expect about life in Norway? Was it different from expected, if so – how?
I expected to share knowledge with many students and that is what I am currently doing.

Barara taking photos in the forrest

Why did you chose to study in Norway?

Because I can have the opportunity to learn about different cultures and lifestyles of different countries that students are from, learn about the Norwegian culture, improve my English and have a good professional record.
 

Which subjects you are currently taking at USN?

  • International Marketing
  • Innovation Management
  • Destination Development 

Barbara in front of the USN building in Bø

Please share one story from your life that will make us get to know something special about you.

I was born in a small town in Santiago Atitlan, Solola, Guatemala, the third daughter in five siblings. I am embroidering birds and I like birdwaching and practice it, I am a tour guide in my country, I practice hiking and also I am interested to learn about cultures. 

Study group in campus Bø

Anything you want to share with other students and employees that you think they should learn about your home country?

Guatemala has the most beautiful Lake around the world, one country pluricultural and multicultural. 

 

Any other feedback you would like to share with us?

I come from an indgenous community and my first language is Tz´utuhil and actually I can speak three of 22 mayan languages there are: Tzutujil, Kaqchikel and Quiche´.

Barbara in from of flowers, taking pictures

Here you can read other stories from exchange students at USN.

Bio:

Barbara Rebeca Ajtujal Quieju from Guatemala

Home University: University Guatemala Valley (UVG)

Study programme in Norway:

International Tourism and Sustainable Development at campus BØ

 

Barbara is an exchange student in the project «Education in the field of sustainable tourism and ecology in Norway and Guatemala», financed by NORPART, a programme under DIKU