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, Culture & People

Busting Norwegian Myth #2: Norwegians are all Tall and Blond

The first myth about Norwegian people that we broke in this series “Busting Norwegian Myths” is that Norwegian people are cold. Myth #2 we will try to break now is that Norwegians are all tall and blond. This is a misconception about Scandinavians in general and Norwegians in particular. When you think of Norwegians pictures showing tall blond women with braids, and tall blond men … Continue reading Busting Norwegian Myth #2: Norwegians are all Tall and Blond

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Blog of Norway

One Year in Norway- A Podcast Interview on My Book

Dear readers, It has now been almost 12 years since I moved to Norway, and 4 years since I published my first book “En frosk i fjorden-Kunsten å bli norsk”. My life has changed tremendously in these past years, going from being friendless, single, and clueless about Norwegian life, language, culture and more, to being established in the country with a family. I started this … Continue reading One Year in Norway- A Podcast Interview on My Book

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Blog of Norway

10 endroits à ne pas rater en Norvège en été

To all my readers: my blog is still mainly in English language but sometimes I write an article or two in French. Je vis en Norvège depuis 12 ans. J’ai eu le temps de voyager dans ce pays pendant mes vacances, et surtout l’été. Voici un top 10 de mes destinations préférées en Norvège, et pourquoi ces endroits en valent la peine. Mon blog est … Continue reading 10 endroits à ne pas rater en Norvège en été

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Blog of Norway, Culture & People

Busting Norwegian Myth #1: Norwegians are cold

There are many myths about Norwegian culture, society and country, and many of them are constructed, rumours or even plainly wrong. I am starting a series on breaking Norwegian myths. The first up is a classic: I haven’t made any Norwegian friends because NORWEGIAN PEOPLE ARE COLD. Are they, though? Sure, compared to your village in Brasil where everyone kisses you on both cheeks when … Continue reading Busting Norwegian Myth #1: Norwegians are cold

froginthefjord11 Comments
Blog of Norway, Travelling, Work

Being a Foreigner in Norway in 2021 under Corona Restrictions

There are around 800,000 foreigners living in Norway, according to the Norwegian Statistics Bureau (2020 numbers). That makes up to almost 15% of Norway’s population. There are wonderful perks at living in Norway for a foreigner, from universal healthcare to great parental benefits, not to mention higher salaries than in many other countries. However when the corona crisis hit many of us realised one thing: … Continue reading Being a Foreigner in Norway in 2021 under Corona Restrictions

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Blog of Norway, Motherhood, Parenting

How to have babies in Norway

I will not explain here the technicalities of making babies in Norway. That stuff happens here just like everywhere else in the world. However, some other elements are taken into consideration when having babies in this country. 1- Barnehage (Kindergarten) Chinese people all try to have babies during a certain year (of the pig, of the snake or whatever will make the baby rich and … Continue reading How to have babies in Norway

froginthefjord10 Comments
Blog of Norway, Language

What the Faen? How to Swear in Norwegian

Swearing in Norwegian is something one should do very carefully, probably like in any other language. The reason is that some swear words may not have a direct translation in your language, so you might not grasp the strength of the swear words. Or it has one but which should not be used in the same context. One example: I believed for many years that … Continue reading What the Faen? How to Swear in Norwegian

froginthefjord10 Comments
Blog of Norway, Environment, Sports

How the Concept of Norwegian “Friluftsliv” Can Save Your Life This Year

The Norwegian concept of Friluftsliv is the new Scandinavian concept that reached international news, after Danish hygge and Swedish lagom. In 2018 I held a TEDx Talk explaining what it is and why you need it in your life. Two years later, we are in the middle of the Corona crisis and friluftsliv is even more needed for people all around the world and especially Europe … Continue reading How the Concept of Norwegian “Friluftsliv” Can Save Your Life This Year

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Blog of Norway, Culture & People

How to make Norwegian Friends During a Pandemic

Many many years ago (in 2013) I wrote a blogpost called How to make Norwegian Friends. Although there were lots of great tips there, such as joining activity groups and mingling in parties, this pandemic changed a few things. If you are feeling lonely in Norway as a foreigner, or are just willing to make local friends, but you are wondering how, I will try … Continue reading How to make Norwegian Friends During a Pandemic

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