This is always a controversial topic in Norway.  There is currently a documentary series on national TV that presents the issues of being an immigrant in Norway: Det nye landet.  Last week the documentary focused on Norwegian men and ‘import brides’.  It is commonly known amongst Norwegians that Norwegian men import brides because Norwegian women [...]

It’s Australia Day today.  I did all I could to spread the Australia Day cheer.  I couldn’t let my friends and family here in Norway be completely oblivious.  I got questions like ‘what do you do’ (answer: we go to the beach!) and ‘what happened on this day’ (answer: the First Fleet (11 convict ships [...]

Sometimes when learning about the Norwegian culture you are suddenly reminded how bizarre your own is.  I’ve been reminded how Australians tend to over exaggerate.  Everything is always bigger and better in Australia when an Australian talks about it.  The football match wasn’t good, it was awesome!  The the burger wasn’t big, it was mega! [...]

Discrimination runs rampaged in every country – Norway is no different.  In fact, if you are from any other culture, even English, and want to live in Norway, be prepared to be discriminated against in the most unlikeliest of situations.
Call Centres
Everyone hates it when a stranger calls up to try and flog a ‘great deal’ [...]

The seasons in Norway are very dramatic. When it snows you get real snow. When it shines the sun is so bright you have to wear sunglasses. Norwegians are used to living from one extreme into another and I think I know their secret.
Norwegians are fearless about weather.  Come rain, snow or shine, they are [...]

I never thought I would have a bilingual family. Language is never an issue when you marry one of your own countrymen. However, I married a Norwegian, and so language has become an everyday battle in my family’s life.
When raising children in a bilingual family you need to decide how you are going [...]

“Mamma. Ka du gjør? Ka du gjør?!” I couldn’t answer – I had no idea what Lilu was trying to say.
“Ka du gjøøøør?! Mamma!” I looked at Moose, feeling a little hopeless.
He said with a smirk, “She’s asking you what you’re doing.”
Had I missed something? I thought that to ask someone what they were doing you say [...]

I’m a t-shirt and (cargo) shorts kind of girl.  Just one layer, quick and easy, (and less washing).  It’s a very ‘Australian’ thing to dress so lite – it’s like we are always on a backpacking holiday – we don’t even wear socks!
Lately it’s been snowing in Tromsø and it has dropped to freezing temperatures.  However, [...]

There are two questions I am always asked:
Is it easy to get a job in Norway?
Is it hard to get a job in Norway?
The only definite answer is: ‘it depends’.  It depends on your education.  It depends on your profession.  It depends on your Norwegian language skills.  And, it depends on your luck.  There is [...]

When you have your last appointments with your midwife before you give birth she will ask you if you want to join a ‘mother’s group’.  (Although sometimes the language barrier gets in the way and you don’t realise what you’ve signed up to until you arrive at the appointment.)
Mother’s group is just a group of [...]