Tromsø world festival
Tromsø: this «little town» far, far North is the biggest in the region. It rounds about 70 000 people. It has grown since I moved here, almost 20 years ago, with about 1000 inhabitants a year. It has to do with the University, student life, and the fact that many people want better opportunities and […]
Speak the UNspoken: exploring the unwritten rules of north norway
All cultures have their written codes, but primarily unwritten ones. It isn’t easy for newcomers, travelers, or immigrants in Norway to see them at first sight. We need time, perseverance, interest, and willingness to understand them. Also, a good knowledge of the Norwegian language is necessary. The book is about the untold things of Norwegian […]
5 areas in Norway where you can work only speaking English
Many foreigners would like to work in Norway, yet they do not speak Norwegian. It is possible, and I know many people who have lived here for many years without even trying to learn the language. Up to 60 years old, Norwegians speak good enough English, and many want to keep practicing it. Therefore, they […]
the Norwegian Work contract
If you are in the process of getting a job in Norway, there are a few things you should know about the work contract you need to sign. First, you need to have the identity number and a Norwegian bank account. Do not even think of working without having these two in place because you […]
how to deal with war?
I know it is a strange question. How do we deal with it when we don’t have any personal experience? I grew up with war stories. My father was born in December ’39, in trenches, and he never knew his father, who went to WWII while my grandmother was pregnant. It is not easy to […]
How to make Norwegian Friends
This is a question that just popped up in my e-mail. It is not easy to make friends among Norwegians, yet, it is not impossible. Do not let yourself be scared about the icy faces and without expressions. Behind that Ice Wall, they put upfront, you can find volcanos of feelings. All you need to […]
10 reasons for joining a Union while in Norway
I work with many people who are immigrants in Norway. Some of them have their issues with their employers, yet, every time I ask if they are members of a Union, I get frightened and confused looks. I understand that in many other countries, being a member of a Union can be too good to […]
How “old” are you?
“How old are you, really?” is perhaps something you’ve never thought about, yet it is an important part of the Norwegian way of living and thriving. I have recently stumbled into it again, and I thought I should tell you something about it as well. In my experience, the way Norwegian people look at their […]
How expensive is Norway, really?
When I tell people I live in Norway, I often get this question: How expensive is Norway? I have been living here for nearly 20 years, yet I do not think it is that expensive. It depends a lot on each person’s priorities. I believe that everybody can get everything they need when it comes […]
My week of quarantine in Sandefjord, Norway
Yes! I have been visiting my family in a red zone. Red for Norway, because people ruling this country are cautious and prefer to take extra care measures than risk people’s health. Therefore I have been in quarantine for 9 days. I arrived in Norway via Torp airport. It was a long queue at Passport […]
The Child King : food for thought
The concept of children as “Kings” and “Queens” is a special one. We do not often come across it, even if it makes sense. Children are our future. The way we take care of them shows how we take care of our future. Therefore, the way we raise our children is important. Norway and Scandinavia […]