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!
http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Terror%20in%20Norway_137247
Politics

When the Roses turned Black. Seven years after Utøya Survivors Receive Hatred and Death Threats.

I remember vividly, like all Norwegians and foreigners living in Norway back then, where I was during the Utøya attacks. Especially because I had walked passed the car Anders Behring Breivik had hidden a bomb in 15 minutes before it exploded. He was targeting the Prime Minister’s office in Regjeringskvartalen in the centre of Oslo. My office happened to be just behind that building. The bomb … Continue reading When the Roses turned Black. Seven years after Utøya Survivors Receive Hatred and Death Threats.

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Love

Is Norway Really the Country of Chlamydia?

Last week the convenience store 7-Eleven started running a highly noticed advertising campaign in busy places in Norway such as Oslo Central Station and on television. It uses the stereotypical images of Norway: Norway is the country of the midnight sun, of fjords and…of chlamydia. The point is humouristic and catchy, to tell tourists and foreigners to protect themselves against locals, and buy their condoms … Continue reading Is Norway Really the Country of Chlamydia?

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Work

Why do Norwegians love inneklemte days so much

This article was written in Norwegian for NRK Ytring on the 05.05.2018 under the title Inneklemt-fest, and later adapted for this blog. May is a widely expected month for many Norwegians, because of something called inneklemte dager. Now this is a bit of a strange word to translate to English. “Klem” is a word used in different words. It can mean “hug”, and I really wondered … Continue reading Why do Norwegians love inneklemte days so much

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Sports

Survival Guide for Foreigners in Norway during the Winter Olympics

  The Winter Olympics are finally over. Hasn’t it been a blast? The answer is yes, if you are Norwegian. For us foreigners living in Norway things can look a bit differently. Here are a few tips I have developed for foreigners to survive Winter Olympics when living in Norway. Buy earplugs. You will need those not to die of a heart attack when Norwegians … Continue reading Survival Guide for Foreigners in Norway during the Winter Olympics

froginthefjord5 Comments
Language

The Norwegian Birthday Song Officially the Hardest in the World to Learn. I mean, come on.

Last night I was at my boyfriend’s Birthday party, and when the Norwegians around me started singing “Hurra for Deg som Fyller ditt år” I thought “Oh damn, I still haven’t learned that song”. Then I fell in shame (as I usually do when this happens) and looked at other people and tried to remember the lyrics. I tried to hop and turn and stuff … Continue reading The Norwegian Birthday Song Officially the Hardest in the World to Learn. I mean, come on.

froginthefjord23 Comments
Language

8 Unbelievably Strange Norwegian Words With Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

“Why don’t you learn Chinese or Spanish, or any other language spoken by more than a few sheep and 5 million people” asked my parents while I was learning Norwegian. My answer is always that Norwegian is a fantastic and very funny language. Some of the words the Norwegian language has created requires either a lot of imagination or high doses of hallucinative drugs to … Continue reading 8 Unbelievably Strange Norwegian Words With Meanings Foreigners Cannot Guess

froginthefjord8 Comments
Politics

Environmental Win: Oil Drilling in Northern Norway Stopped!!

The drilling of oil and gas in the islands of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja in the Northern Sea has been a huge topic during the elections of September 2017 in Norway. Environmental groups such as Folkeaksjon, Nature and Youth, Friends of the Earth Norway and others have gone very strong to stop the research for drilling up North, claiming among other things that the oil … Continue reading Environmental Win: Oil Drilling in Northern Norway Stopped!!

froginthefjord5 Comments
Politics

10 surprising reasons as to why Trump wants Norwegians to immigrate to the US

A few days ago, Trump (President of the US for those not following) has said that the US would rather not accept immigrants from “shit holes” but rather from countries like Norway. Here are 10 reasons I believe he wants them to immigrate. Keep in mind this is a satire (wink wink): There is no Obamacare in Norway (there is something else way better but … Continue reading 10 surprising reasons as to why Trump wants Norwegians to immigrate to the US

froginthefjord2 Comments
Work

What do #MeToo Scandals look like in Norway, World Gender Equality Champion?

When the #MeToo movement took off I really wondered what would happen in Norway. As I wrote several years ago, it can be a true joy to be a woman in Norway. It seemed to me like politicians, radio and television people as well as other people in power would be less likely to use that power in order to harass people sexually in this … Continue reading What do #MeToo Scandals look like in Norway, World Gender Equality Champion?

froginthefjord5 Comments
Travelling

Morocco: How to Bargain and other tips to travel on a Budget

Morocco seems like an inexpensive country…until you get here and hear the price asked for just anything from taxi rides to food. Everyone in the tourism industry from hotel chains to the guy shining your shoes in the streets knows the exchange rates for Euro and USD to the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Although it is still way cheaper than European capitals like London or Paris, … Continue reading Morocco: How to Bargain and other tips to travel on a Budget

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