My name is Evelyn. I'm from Kentucky, USA and I now live in Skien, Norway.
When and how did you decide to move to Norway? Is it complicated to settle down there?
I met my husband via an international pen pal site. Of course he was just my pen pal at first, but we never stopped talking. Our online friendship blossomed into a relationship and I decided to move to Norway. My husband is more grounded in his life than I am, so it was much easier for me to pack up my things and move to Norway than vice versa. We married in Kentucky about a week before I moved.
I don't think it's too complicated to settle down in Norway as long as you have someone to settle down with. I can imagine it's rather scary to move here if you don't have a social net.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you visited?
I've never lived abroad, no. I've visited 6 countries – Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Monaco and Italy. I've visited all of those countries since living here in Norway!
What do you like the most about Norway/Skien?
Besides being here with the love of my life, I like how relaxed and caring the society is. New mothers get a long, paid maternity leave. New fathers also get some paternity leave to spend with their new bundle of joy. Citizens are entitled to education and health care. There are strict work laws which are in favor of the employee and working people are entitled to 5 weeks vacation a year. There is also a very large middle class here in Norway. Most places are closed on Sundays which gives the citizens time to relax and just take a day of rest. All of these things in my opinion are very important aspects of a society and I think Norway has hit the nail on the head in getting it right. It's a comforting thought when you actually feel like a society cares about its people.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with USA, your home country?
I don't really think there is too much culture shock here. If it weren't for the official language, there'd be very few and subtle differences comparing USA and Norway. Other than that, being from Kentucky at least, the biggest difference is getting adjusted to the weather. It's a lot colder than I'm adapted to and well, in all honesty I think the weather is quite terrible at times in terms of temperature and lack of sunshine in fall/winter.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
I miss lots of things, but I make the best of it. First and foremost, I miss family and friends. I miss a lot of things that are “American” like the charming “southern” towns, rural countryside with old barns and wide open spaces. I feel a bit horrible when I complain about not finding some of the same stores, brands of products, food and candy, but it is something I miss. I think there are pros and cons to both countries, there are things I love and admire about Norway, but don't like about USA and there are things I love and admire about USA and don't like about Norway.
Any 'memories of an expat' you would like to share with us? Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?
I have so many great memories thus far and really the first thing that comes to mind is actually kind of odd and silly. Trolls run deep in folklore here. At every tourist attraction, there's a troll to be seen. It kind of started right before our Honeymoon in July when my husband and I were at Gardermoen airport in Oslo. There was a statue of a troll, so I posed with it for a picture. The next month in August, he and I took a trip to Bergen and after seeing so many troll statues, we shook hands and made a silly deal that every time I see a troll, I have to hug it and pose for a picture. Since then, I've been hugging a lot of trolls!
Any local tradition to welcome the New Year you would like to share with us?
Hmmm… I really can't think of any local tradition, no. Most people ring in the New Year with fireworks, whereas, in the US we generally just watch the ball drop on TV.
When did you start your blog? For what reasons?
I started my blog right before my first visit to Norway. I thought it would be interesting to find an outlet to document the moving process and basically all personal musings and experiences with moving here and living here as well as cultural differences. I also thought since I myself, was originally looking for blogs to follow from people in the same or similar situations, then why not make a blog myself. I just thought if my blog can help others in any way, then why not?
Did you make new friends with your blog?
I have spoken to several new people via e-mail through my blog. I am actually meeting one reader next month, who I have become friends with through several emails. She became a reader because she is another American in a relationship with a co-worker of my husband.
Why did you register on
https://www.expat.com and what do you think of the website?
Expat.com was actually the first expatriate blog site I visited. I was curious and looking for more information about living in Norway and what it's like to be an expatriate there. I was especially looking for American blogs so I could see what their general perspective is about Norway.
I think https://www.expat.com is very useful and a helpful website to fulfill anyone's needs that are looking to move abroad or have already made the move.
Which advice would you give to the other Expat blog members who would like to settle in Norway?
Of course it's good to look to other people's perspectives for advice and information on how another country is, but that shouldn't be enough evidence to base a judgment on. My best advice is just to go to Norway with a blank slate and experience all it has to offer. While there are some general observations and opinions by the large majority, I think a person's opinion on settling down in another country is purely individualistic and it's best to form your own judgment rather than be influenced by others. That way you have an original opinion and it is purely yours.
Also, take advantage of the sunny summer days!!!
