Author: froginthefjord

I am The Frog in the Fjord: a French lady who lived in Denmark for a bit before moving to Norway for good (or for now, who knows!). This blog is about all these new realities foreigners like me face when trying to adapt to a new culture, language, country and most of all to new people. In this case, trying to understand the Norwegian culture and blending in (or trying hard). I am hoping to give non-Norwegians a glimpse of what makes Norway and Norwegians so awkward and so loveable; and to give Norwegians something to laugh or to think about. Bonne lecture!
Blog of Norway, Language

After 60 years of presence in Norway, the French Cultural Institute is shut down by the French Government.

It is now official the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs has decided to close the French Institute of Norway, alongside the French Institutes in Canada, Costa Rica and Brazil. This is in the Notification number 2303 made by the Ministry to the State Budget for 2020 on the 10th of October 2019, which can be found in this official document from the National … Continue reading After 60 years of presence in Norway, the French Cultural Institute is shut down by the French Government.

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Blog of Norway, Politics

EU, Alcohol policy, the King, Whale Hunting. A List of Dead Political Debates in Norway.

Many foreigners believe that almost any political change is possible in a democracy like Norway, and they are right in theory. But in practice some debates are just dead in Norway and political parties don’t even fight for them. Most of the time it is because there is a general consensus in the population that no change is wished for. they are listed in their … Continue reading EU, Alcohol policy, the King, Whale Hunting. A List of Dead Political Debates in Norway.

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Blog of Norway, Politics

The 10 Golden Rules of Being Pregnant in Norway

Illustration: Tori Lind Kjellstad, all rights reserved. Learn pregnant-Norwegian. You learned Norwegian, nynorsk or bokmål, but now that you are pregnant, words you’ve never heard before pop out of nowhere. In my case despite living and working here for 10 years and speaking fluent Norwegian, I had never heard the word bekkenløsning (pelvic pain in English, which in Norwegian is “lose pelvic floor”). I also believed … Continue reading The 10 Golden Rules of Being Pregnant in Norway

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Blog of Norway

Beforeigners Review- 5 Reasons to Watch HBO’s New Norwegian Show

This article may contain spoilers (although I tried hard not to give any). Imagine a super modern society, a country as industrialised as Norway. A country aiming on top of UN charts for human rights and gender equality. Think of its capital city, Oslo, where dads walk around the city centre pushing prams and drinking cafe lattes during their 4 months long paternity leave, and … Continue reading Beforeigners Review- 5 Reasons to Watch HBO’s New Norwegian Show

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Language

8 Strange French Words with Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

I am French and have been living in Norway for almost 10 years, and mostly blogging about Norway, Norwegian culture and language. But more and more I get questions about my own country, society and language. How is it to be a foreigner and especially a Norwegian in France? Is it hard to learn French? So in collaboration with the French cultural and education institution … Continue reading 8 Strange French Words with Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

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Politics

Should Nazi-supporters be on the agenda of Norway’s biggest political week? The story of Lysglimt at Arendalsuka.

Have you heard of Arendalsuka? Arendal is a small town in the south of Norway. A friend of mine who was living there told me there are three reasons to like Arendal: June, July and August. And it is precisely in August every year that all important Norwegian journalists, politicians, companies and organisations meet in Arendal for a week of meetings, podcasts, public announcements and … Continue reading Should Nazi-supporters be on the agenda of Norway’s biggest political week? The story of Lysglimt at Arendalsuka.

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Politics

Is Norway a Communist Country?

This is an assumption many non-Norwegians make, especially from North America. Here is a list of points that might make people believe Norway is a communist country: Norway has free education including higher education. University students even get a scholarship and a loan (from Lånekassen) on top of university being free. Norway can be seen as a “nanny state”, where many policies might seem to be interfering … Continue reading Is Norway a Communist Country?

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En Français, Environment

Un fjord rempli de déchets toxiques. La Norvège donne son feu vert pour le pire désastre environnemental de son histoire

La Norvège, ses maisons de rondins rouges, ses paysages à couper le souffle parsemés de rennes pâturants patiemment, et ses fjords…remplis de déchets toxiques. Voilà la réalité à laquelle nous nous sommes réveillés Jeudi 14 février en Norvège, alors que le gouvernement de coalition entre les Conservateurs, les Libéraux, l’Extrême droite et les Chrétiens-démocrates a donné son feu vert au groupe minier Nussir d’ouvrir une … Continue reading Un fjord rempli de déchets toxiques. La Norvège donne son feu vert pour le pire désastre environnemental de son histoire

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Culture & People

10 Norwegian Tips to Keep Warm in the Winter

Snow is accumulating and temperatures are sinking. So I’d say winter is here for good. And although you might cheer yourself up every morning by counting the days to Spring, you still need to get warm until that comes along. Time for a little Nordic course on how to keep warm whatever the temperature. Learn from the best! Choose the right fabric  Forget about cotton … Continue reading 10 Norwegian Tips to Keep Warm in the Winter

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