Lorelou Desjardins is an author, a columnist, a public speaker and an entrepreneur.
Like many foreigners, I found adapting to Norwegian life both fascinating and confusing. So in 2013, I started writing an anonymous blog about the little cultural shocks and everyday adventures I was experiencing: silent bus rides, cabin fever (literally), and the mysterious Norwegian obsession with Friday tacos. To my surprise, the blog took off, reaching millions of readers curious about the quirks of life in Norway.
Since then, I’ve gone from blogger to author, journalist, speaker, and entrepreneur. My first book, En frosk i fjorden – Kunsten å bli norsk (2017), became a Norwegian bestseller. In 2021, I published A Frog in the Fjord – One Year in Norway, later translated into several languages and praised by Forbes as one of the most revealing books about Scandinavia. And in May 2025, I released How to Be Norwegian, an illustrated guide to 55 cultural quirks that makes the essence of being Norwegian.
Alongside my books, I’ve been a columnist for VG since 2014, and my writing has appeared in Aftenposten, Dagbladet, and international outlets such as CNN, Forbes, ELLE UK, and several French media. I also give lectures, lead workshops on the Norwegian workplace, and occasionally appear on TV shows like Lindmo and God Morgen Norge to discuss culture, integration, and even food culture.
Today, I’ve lived in Norway for over 15 years and I wear many hats: journalist, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and publisher. My work is all about building bridges between cultures, using humour, honesty, and the occasional dose of self-irony.
For more of my personal projects, writing, and speaking, you can also visit my official website: lorelou.com.