An Active EF Life by Anna Helgesen
By Queenie Wang , April 14, 2026
For Anna Helgesen, being active isn’t something she schedules;, it’s just part of who she is. A 12th- grader Norwegian who joined EF in her senior year, Helgesen has quickly become one of the most involved student-athletesstudent athletes on campus. From girls’ volleyball and basketball to tennis, beach volleyball, and track, she is constantly moving, training, and challenging herself. Exercising at least five days a week, Helgesen doesn’t just join a team to stay busy; she joins because she genuinely loves what she does.
According to Helgesen, “The reason why I wanted to join the sports teams is because I could not see myself having an everyday life where I’m not active. So being in the tennis team, beach team, and track team is perfect for me.” Staying active is something she forces herself to do;, it is simply what she enjoys.
She shared that one of the most memorable parts of being on sportssport teams at EF is the sense of connection. While she jokingly mentioned post-game fast food runs, she explained that the real highlight is the team bonding and the chance to explore sports she had never tried before.
Helgesen described tennis as the most challenging sport she has taken at EF. She mentioned, “Tennis is definitely very frustrating because the ball is either out or in the net. And you also have the possibility of getting hit by a ball. Plus, many opponents have years of experience.” However, she also noted that seeing her improvement over time has made the challenge worthwhile.
Out of all the teams she has joined, Helgesen said basketball has been her favorite so far, mainly because of how fun and energetic the experience has been.
Helgesen’s athletic journey began early. She started doing track at theher age of five, and although she briefly tried handball, track and field quickly became her main focus. Over the years, she has trained and competed in a wide range of events, from sprints and the middle-distance races to hurdles and jumps.
Her dedication paid off when she reached a high level in her sport and was selected to compete for the Norwegian national team. However, after experiencing health problems, her path took a different direction, eventually leading her to EF.
Despite this shift, Helgesen never lost her connection to sport. She believes that starting young played a role in her athletic ability, but she also credits her determination and willingness to push herself.
For Helgesen, sports are more than just competition;, they are a way for her to grow, connect, and stay in tune.
