It's been such a treat watching your journey over the years! Leaving a place that you've called home for many years is quite difficult. I left the U.S. and lived in two countries that are almost complete opposites of each other, México 🇲🇽 and then Georgia 🇬🇪. When you move to a different country and culture, you learn a LOT about yourself, both the good and the bad, but also about how quickly you can adapt to a completely different lifestyle. It's such a wonderful learning experience and I don't regret any bit of it! Looking forward to seeing more of beautiful Bergen from you soon! ❤
You are absolutely right. What an incredible learning experience. A move like this forces you to take stock of life every day. And with the newness of each day comes an awareness of living in the moment, not letting time slip away and learning what you hold as most important.
Please never stop making your videos about your new life in Norway. As an American expat, watching your videos helps when it gets difficult sometimes. Thank you!!
Wow, I can't say I expected these stories would afford the sense that, as expats, we share many common feelings and experiences. I completely understand how the struggle can wear someone down. We all have have good days and bad days as we untangle the unfamiliar. Still, on the whole, the benefits far outweigh the challenges for us. Feel free to reach out if there is ever a question you think I might be able to answer. Best of luck and thank you for watching.
Thank you so much for this series ❤ I’m a single 24 year old guy from Vancouver likely making the move to Norway in a few months as well. Seeing your documentation of basically the same move helps a lot in terms of what to expect and validating some of my mixed emotions. I’ve loved Norway since I was a kid and know this is the right decision, it’s just hard to leave all your memories behind as your so perfectly illustrated here. Thanks for everything!
Thank you for investing the time to watch the series. I make these videos worried that they will come off as being self aggrandizing, but the real goal is to capture moments in time because I know eventually I will forget the details. I definately work to tell stories that will resonate on a deeper level with the viewer. They are personal as a way to prompt folks to ask questions about their own life choices, to realize every choice has consequences (good and not so good) and to appreciate where they live... no matter where that is. Thanks for the note and best of luck with your journey.
It's wonderful to hear about your move to Bergen! As someone who grew up there myself and now lives near Oslo, I warmly welcome you to this beautiful part of Norway. Watching your journey, from navigating the challenges of covid in a hotel to missing your loved ones and finally settling into Bergen life, has been truly inspiring. I hope you're finding comfort in the unique social norms here, like the quiet respect for personal space on public transport and the more reserved nature of street interactions. It's clear you're an amazing parent, partner, and family member. Here's to your continued enjoyment and discovery of all the incredible experiences Norway has to offer. Welcome!
This was extremely well done and such a great story to be part of. Welcome to Bergen, Norway 🇳🇴 Can't wait to see what you make of the journey going forward.
Thank you for the very kind words. This certainly is a journey. One that is gratifying because there are occasionally difficult challenges to overcome. We feel fortunate each and every day that Norway is our home. There will be more to come
How great that you've decided to stay! It's been wonderful to see my country from your perspective through these videos; can't wait for more! Velkommen velkommen!
Thank you for the kind words and warm welcome. Being an "outsider" affords me a lens for seeing all that is awesome about Bergen and Norway. No place is perfect, but this works for us. Thanks!
Thank you for making this wonderful video series. It was well produced and a topic close to my family right now. We are planning a move to Oslo in 2025. Watching your journey has been inspirational, we hope to run into you when in Bergen!
I just discovered your videos now... at work... And I just had to watch them all in one go! Thank you so much for sharing your journey! I hope your past 48 hours haven't been too difficult with the terrible wind! I haven't been to Bergen in such a long time even though I am a Norwegienne, but was tempted by all your beautiful footage of the less famous areas and streets!
I remember moving u guys. thanks for the opportunity. hope all is well. one day I wana come down and see how life is. It's me Spartacus long hair one lol..God bless 🙏🏾🤙
Spartacus! It is great to hear from you! We loved having you pack our treasures because it gave us confidence our belongings would arrive safely on the other side of the world. The joy you all expressed through hard work and professionalism was so impressive. I often think back about how you guys made a stressful transition a much smoother experience. Thanks for watching. I am really pleased you found the video.
A new video!! Im so glad you decided to stay here, and what a heart warming video you made. It must have been difficult to leave your old life behind, as well as your kids. You have a great talent for storytelling, filming and editing and I loved watching the journey to get here once again. I was dissappointed when I realized the clip was ending without getting to see more of your journey, it was so engaging to watch. 😊 With that being said, I can’t wait to see the rest since it said this was part 1. 😊 Welcome to Bergen, I really hope people here treat you good. I hope I run into you guys one day, as I love getting new perspectives and it’s also like a way to get to know your country through others eyes. I also like learning about American culture in comparison. 🇳🇴🇺🇸 Take care❤
Poignant. I can only imagine the difficulty of making that decision and then all the organization required to carry it out. I always look forward to your incredibly well crafted stories and looking foward to the next chapter.
I genuinely appreciate that you find that video storytelling is a craft. I love the process, but the task can be difficult and the granularity of interleaving the parts is often annoyingly frustrating. This one was tough to figure out, particularly with the inherently episodic nature of the footage. I am glad that the story resonated with you. It is certainly a bit of departure from the first five, but I think it affords context within the arc of the series. As to the next chapter, I'm looking forward to it also. I simply don't know what it will be. At least not yet. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
This series has been wonderful to follow. I found your channel right as I was preparing to move to Norway from the US myself, and having another persons experiences and perspective has really helped me in the process. So thank you
When we moved here I wish we had a better guide on what to expect. We certainly are not the end-all, be-all source for understanding the challenges of moving from the States to Norway, but hopefully the series provides a little insight on some of the things that made us stumble. More importantly, I am hopeful that folks have a better understanding why this choice is something we celebrate each and every day. Life here is good for us. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment.
Not so sure about brave, but stepping into such an unfamiliar experience was a bit of a leap of faith. We love living here in Norway. We chose Bergen after exploring the country from north to south, east to west. Most anywhere would be great, but Bergen is best for us. Thanks for watching.
Ha ha, I love that you spotted the door color. We really liked that door against the blue house. Thank you very much for watching and for your very kind words. There will definately be more videos. We have made a commitment to our life here, and I have at least six episodes shot. They are neither written nor edited because they revolve around the purchase and renovation/restoration of a 140-year-old house here in the heart of Bergen. All of my spare time is being absorbed with work on there, rather than video production. I can barely find the time to shoot the process. But once the dust settles, quite literally, I will begin to generate the next phase of the series -- how two Americans navigate Norway's culture of home ownership. It has been a very interesting learning curve.
@@TheStoryGuide Wow, that is impressive. I mean, you are not in your thirties anymore.. I hope the house will be a blessing, not just work and frustration. Can't wait to see more videos from you guys!
Welcome to my country. You will never completely leave your life in the US, nor will you totally convert into Norway, but you can enjoy the best of the cultures and continue to find out what is behind the next corner or mountain. We have also moved between countries before we came back home. Would not be without the experiences.
Moving away from my house and life in the US to live in Bergen was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. I can't imagine doing it *twice* though - once when you came to Bergen for your initial stint, and now more permanently. I still go back and forth as to whether this was the right choice for me. I hope your travels have fared well and I hope you aren't too buried in the snow right now. :D
For sure, that was a ton of snow for our rainy city. Let's just say the dogs were less than pleased each time we took them out. As to the move, I too vacillate about the decision, particularly since I'll never really know what is "right". When I step back from the day-to-day and consider what life would be like back in the States, and then consider my life here, the scales always tip in favor of Bergen. The positives of Seattle, and the hassles of Norway, do not outweigh the benefits of building a new life and community here. Certainly each day has some element of struggle (missing my kids, figuring out how to modify a favorite recipe with the limited ingredients available, navigating the bureaucracy), but we learn from them and move on. Obviously, no place is perfect. But for us at least, this is the right choice. Best of luck as you take stock of things. And thank you for watching.
I was secretly hoping you guys would decide to stay, I am so glad you did! I studied in Bergen for two years a few years ago, and I'm considering moving back as well. Really hope you get the opportunity to see every part of the country, and I hope your kids come to visit too :)
We keep trying to get the kids over here. Wanted them to come for Christmas, but with work and other responsibilities it is proving difficult for them to make the journey. It will happen, just not soon enough for Darcy and me. We do love exploring this incredible country. After two years I think we have seen perhaps .5% of Norway. It is huge, varied, and epic. There is always something new that takes your breath away or reminds you that the people who have called this land home have been here for thousands of years. I often find it humbling when I consider the timescale of this place how each day is little more than a blip on the continuum of history. This perspective of time is very new to me. Thanks for watching and thank you for the comment. It would be great to have you back in Bergen.
@@TheStoryGuide I have family in New York who have been able to visit only a few times, so I totally understand. As for seeing more of the country, my favourite place is northern Norway during the summer (Lofoten, Narvik, etc.), so I highly recommend that! Can’t wait to see more of your journey now as permanent residents.
@@deadringerrr I totally agree, the north in summer is spectacular. We've seen some of Lofoten, Kirkenes and Nordkapp in the summer, but feel as if we have only touched a place that is full of wonder. Darcy was an exchange student in Andøya during high school, and I considered going to school in Tromsø, so life above the arctic circle has always called to us. While Bergen is home, there is so much to see and explore. Thank you for the great advice.
I really enjoy your videos, and I hope you continue sharing your life in Norway. My grandparents came from Norway. I was there last year in July and this last May, and I fell in love with being there. I've thought about the idea of moving - it's certainly a huge decision! But I appreciate you showing the process to make it feel more achievable. Thank you!
Well made and said. I lived in the country for only a couple years before having to move back, and miss it with everything I have. Since moving back, life has continued and the idea of moving back feels harder and harder to make; family, friends, memories. I could see my home in that final take off shot and it was very emotional. Thank you for this amazing video, og håper dere trives i Norge! Jeg ser frem til den neste videoen :)
Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Im currently in Uni and i hope to someday, when i graduate and get a job, be able to move to Norway. I've been really onto the idea of it, evaluating pretty much every pro and con of it (leaving family, friends and pets behind, the loneliness of being in a new place, the paperwork needed, etc.) and even though it's someting for the far future it makes me anxious. Your videos have been a great way of taking notes for future reference.
Thanks for sharing a view into a process most of us will never do, moving over such a great distance. Always interesting to see new videos about your move 👍🏻
I have binged every episodes now and can't wait to the next. All I can say, you did a great choice, and I want to welcome you and your wife to my homecountry Norway
Well thank you! We do feel welcomed by so many of the amazing people here. For us, this is the perfect balance of culture, community, nature and society. Each day we are reminded how fortunate we are. I have a feeling we will never take this opportunity for granted. Thank you for watching.
Always looking forward to watching your storyguide. Gutsy move. Now it's gonna be exiting to see when the contaioners arrive, if your belongings has survied the long journey across the Atlantic. A bit crossed that YT don't give me notificatrions, but anyways, I'm here 8 days after the release.😜 Let me say, I admire your decision, awaiting the day(video) you're gonna reveal what made you choose Norway over the US. For a Norwegian, it's always intriguing to know the reasons why, and what tipped the scale in "our" favour? Thank you for sharing your journey. greetings from ARctic Lo-Ve Islands! Have a happy, loving and successful 2024❣🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉
You are not the only person to mention that TH-cam did not surface this video with subscribers. My guess is too much time has passed since episode five was released. Disappointing, for sure. But this series has a pretty long shelf life and folks tend to find them over time. I started this series for my family and friends, and I am still surprised that others have shared they enjoy the stories. The reasons for moving here are rather nuanced and touch on a wide range of reasons - personal, cultural, social, political. Darcy and I are struggling a bit how to tell that story without casting aspersions on those who might feel differently. We don't want to stand on a soapbox preaching about how things are "awful" in one place or "perfect" in another. We do want to tell the story of "why", but with a global audience we want to be sensitive to how we present it. It will come, but I am not sure how it will land. Stay tuned. :) Thanks again for watching and the kind words.
I laughed out loud when I saw your comment. Thank you. It is good to be back, but I feel I never really left. I think I am discovering the cadence to these videos will be every 4-6 months. As much as I love creating them they are difficult to put together, and I want to avoid generating something that is nothing but filler. The hope is for each to have a point of view and a purpose. It takes awhile to sort out my thoughts on a topic and then figure out how to tell the story visually. But I think that puzzle is the part of the process I enjoy the most. Thank you very much for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment.
@@TheStoryGuide and that’s perfectly ok, each person has its rhythms and amounts of free time. I’ll keep on being here waiting for them, learning with them, learning with what you say, and enjoying them 😊💪🇳🇴
Drew, I'm crying on the inside 😭 Relate so much to how a different culture becomes everyday from my former expat days, but also to leaving behind the physical home that once brought your family together after my recent move from Seattle. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal look into your move!
Wow, that is very kind of you to say. I worried it would be a little too personal. Still, all the moments were genuine. I think folks can sense when someone is "performing" for a camera, and viewers recognize this is an accurate documentation of our experience - along with the unexpected emotions. The hope is the story helps people appreciate what is great in their lives and to take stock of why they have chose to call someplace "home". Thank you for watching and sharing such a thoughtful comment.
Watching your videos about your move to Norway and Bergen have been such a joy! I hope you enjoy your new life in Norway, and I hope to see more videos from you :)
hey drew, lovely story that was !! i recently moved to the north pole ( kirknes, norway ), to persue my dream of working here as a doctor. i wrapped up my life in warsaw poland, where i have i studied for 7 years and it was tough. it was harder then when i left dubai (i'm iraqi) , where i was born and lived for 17 years. your story resonated with me and i loved the whole series, sometimes its the right choice it leave everything and start all over. i am excited about life here and i hope it will be kind to me, 2 weeks in now and its going alright. please keep the stories coming as i enjoyed them.
Wow, those are very thoughtful comments. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. I wanted to reach out to see how life is treating you with your new opportunities. Kirkenes is such an amazing town. I was there five years ago and I was captivated by how warm the folks were, how cold the place is, the intersection of nature and civilization, and the rich history. For us, three years into our transition and each day brings us opportunities to better understand how to build our new lives. Lots of challenges, but the personal rewards are incredible. Best of luck. And yes, there will be more episodes. I have collected a lot of material that I will begin to craft into stories. Cheers.
The algorithm wants me to keep up with your journey apparently, and I do not mind! Although I know factually how huge it is to move country, leaving most everything you know and love behind. This video really contextualized it for me. Your home looked so beautiful and cozy filled with the care and memories you guys have given it over the years, and your family looks absolutely lovely! I cannot compliment you enough about your filming and video editing either. I can't remember if you have used music with singing in past vlogs(it's been a while since I saw them), but 15:58 just sounded so beautiful when the song faded in, and fit so well. Also, that fork thing is very relatable to me! lol While growing up, I had a guardian very particular about my table manners. No elbows on the table, sit politely, eat silently, wait for everyone to sit before eating, and wait for everyone to be done eating. Always say thanks (tusen takk) for the food before you can ask to leave the table. It's good knowledge to have I think, how to be and act polite. But holding the fork in my left hand had to be (not literally) beat into me! It felt very unnatural for me and ended up just making me very confused every time I ate😅 But I realized quickly when I had the freedom to eat how I wanted that it really does not matter and no one cares. You just hold it in the hand that feels natural and no one has ever commented or criticized me about it since. But it almost became a life journey for me, figuring out my fork-holding technique lol So I was very surprised when you commented about the fork holding as part of the cultural language! I never realized it was limited to Norway(or maybe neighboring countries?) 😂
Wow, what a kind and thoughtful comment. Thank you. I appreciate that you took the time to watch, and the story resonated with you. The fork thing may be more of a European v. North American contrast. In the states we are taught to switch our fork back and forth between our left and right hands - left hand when cutting, right hand when shoveling in the food. When I started venturing beyond the isolation of my American cultural reference points by traveling the world, it struck me that in many cultures you keep your fork in the left hand for most two-utensil meals. Far more efficient. Although I was amazed the time I was sharing a meal with someone who was so skilled at the endeavor he could eat peas off the blade of his knife. If I had tried that I would have probably flung them around the room. Again, thank you for watching.
Admire your bravery and commitment! Not an easy choice to make im sure! My wife and I have twice had similar experiences once moving from Norway to Italy, and then back again from Italy to Norway when we were expecting our daughter, "all" of our belongings crammed into a station wagon 😅! So we know a little about adapting to life in a new country. That said, we had it much easier as we didnt have kids at the time, cant imagine how difficult it would have been to do so now! My wife is Italian and can identify with a lot of the experiences you had adapting to life in Bergen. Yes, I am a born and raised "bergenser" and happy to have the both of you as a fellow citizen! Dont be suprised if we say hello should we spot you in town 😉 , I guess we are not your typical Norwegians like that... please make more videos! We truly enjoy them and cant wait for the continuation! Tusen takk!!
I would love it if you said "hei". I am always a bit surprised when someone mentions they have watched these stories, and flattered when they mention they enjoyed them. I can not imagine driving with my belongings in a station wagon. It must have been a long and exciting trip. What a change from Italy to Bergen. I look forward to bumping into you here. Thanks for the message.
I startet watching your series yesterday, and i love the way you make these videoes. I really enjoyed it! As a born and raised "Bergenser" it is very interesting to see the journey through a foreigners eyes. Velkommen hjem!
Thank you for the welcome home. I envy that you have always called Bergen home. But perhaps my appreciation for the community comes from my experience living in many different places in the States. It makes it easy to recognize all that is good about this town. Thanks for watching.
My best wishes for a happy and good life for you and your wife here in norway. A tough decision to make, I'm sure. Then again, variety is the spice of life. Så hjertelig velkommen til norge:) Ønsker og håper at dere får det fint her og at dette også blir "hjemme".
Unfortunately, much has changed in the last 15 years. Lots more folks and an infrastructure that is stressed to the breaking point. Thanks for watching.
I just stumbled onto this video series today and watched all six parts. Was curious if you would choose to stay afterwards, and now I have my answer. Definitely understand your love for Bergen, I've lived here nearly two decades and absolutely love the city. I'm originally from further up the west coast, so Bergen felt a lot like home to me really fast. Similar weather, similar attitudes in the people, and it has that unique way of feeling like a small town but with large town offerings. I think the mountains separating the different boroughs really help with that. Curious to how you've been experiencing the language, I know it can be a little bit more challenging to learn if you're a native English speaker since we automatically switch to English whenever speaking to non-natives. Plus you can get by so easily with using just English most of the time. I had a French flatmate several years ago and he had to insist on me speaking as much Norwegian as possible around him so he could have a chance to properly learn it. And I had to convert to an Oslo-ish way of speaking whenever speaking to him to make it easier (then got to go back to using my regular dialect after about a year).
Ah... my struggles with the language. Funny you should ask. My wife is doing well. She will take her B1 exam in the next few months. For me, the primary challenge (excuse) is that my daily environment is in English. As I work remotely for an American company, and the program at the university is in English, every conversation, every meeting, every memo is in English. Most days the only Norsk I hear is from the news, on television, or online. I am envious of your flatmate. It is just my wife and me in the house, so there is little use trying to practice here. Too often we fuss a little because neither of us are sure who is right. It appears that we accomplish little more than reenforcing our poor skills. An additional excuse I tell myself is that in having responsibility for two jobs I find creating the time for things like språkkafé can be challenging. When out and about Darcy and I do our best to speak Norsk. I am amused when someone immediately switches to English. I can't help but assume that listening to my Norwegian is so painful they use English to save their ears. OK, more likely they see it as a favor so I am not struggling. I must admit I am amused when trying to sift through the more formal bokmål as opposed to the bergensk I encounter on the street. More than once I have had to refer to Study Bergen's learn-bergensk glossary to sort out what folks are saying. This year my focus is on bearing down and getting better. I have never been great at memorization or the "rules" of language (grammar, spelling, etc.) so that is something I will continue to overcome. Despite all these excuses, learning the language is important to me for many reasons. Not just for assimilation and communication, but also because I want folks to know that I am truly invested in my life here. Despite the struggle it will come. Just not fast enough for me. (In rereading this it appears I've become rather defensive. Lots of excuses and not enough action. Guess I better get in gear.) Thanks for the nudge and for helping me publicly share my commitment to get better. And most of all, thank you for watching and the kind words.
If I switch to English around someone it is never as a reaction to their skill, but more an accomodation to them. I honestly have a lot of respect for people who are learning Norwegian as a second/third/etc language, because I know how difficult our diverse dialects make it for them (I've heard from people that relocating to a different part of the country can almost set them back to the beginning in terms of learning the language because the new dialect will be so very different). I attend the boardgame club at Nordnes most weeks, and we have a bunch of members who primarily speak other languages than Norwegian. Some of them are competent enough in Norwegian that it doesn't matter whether I speak Norwegian or English with them, but other members have not yet reached that level and would not understand (much) if I spoke only in Norwegian. So any public announcements at the club is done in English to accommodate them and for me, whenever I sit down to play with people who I know don't have Norwegian as their first language, I ask if they prefer I speak Norwegian or English with them. Sometimes they tell me to go ahead with Norwegian, other times they need me to use English and I'm honestly fine with either (plus I love any opportunity I get to speak English, lol) To be fair, bokmål doesn't really resemble most dialects at all (even nynorsk which is technically based on a myriad of dialects don't do that good of a job either, least of all with my dialect). That's just how it goes with written versus spoken Norwegian. Don't expect them to match up all that much. And don't worry about what people think, most of us will just appreciate that you are trying and give it time.
Fantastic video, you have a real talent for this, you're really good at what you do. I could probably watch a video from you about anything. As a norwegian I do think there's a lot of things that americans can learn from norway (and vice versa, ambition is one). But I do have to say I echo the questions bergensere have asked you, "why bergen?" or even just "why norway?" I would like to understand your reasons and point of view more. If you ever need a topic to make a video on then I think expanding on that would make a good video. Thank you for sharing a part of your journey with us!
Curiously, you comment prompted a long conversation between my wife and me - on our Saturday tur through Bergen's rare snow. To be totally honest, neither of us have a definitive answer. This very well could be the next episode. Thank you for prompting us to really think about "why".
Wow, that's so cool to hear! I have family in the united states myself who have lived there for decades at this point and run a pretty large and successful company as the founders. It's so peculiar to listen to someone speak norwegian pretty flawlessly, yet be so unapologetically american. All but one of them don't really like it here in Norway and only really come to visit because of family. They fully embrace american values. I'm not one to say which values are strictly better, I think a lot of things like that can be very relative, but it does feel strange. You and your wife seem to be almost the opposite of my american family, which is part of why your series has been so interesting to me. Because of this video I rewatched your whole series from the beginning yesterday, and I noticed that you highlighted a holiday trip here as the beginning of your love of Norway, and it was the nature which did it for you. But in later videos you talk about how moving here has put a mirror up to your national identity and your set of values and that you now feel almost less unique and more like a stereotypical american because your perspective on yourself has shifted. So I would just assume that there is something about the attitudes, the values or perhaps even the politics here in Norway that has made you think or feel something new. Or perhaps it's just the nature. Hehe, not everything has to be so complicated. But if there is something more intricate, I would very much like to hear about it. Just like you've gotten your mirror, I long for a similar thing, I want to understand myself and the place I come from better through understanding other people's perspectives on that place better. Your videos are perfect for that. Once again thank you!@@TheStoryGuide
You have identified one of the core questions we ask ourselves when discussing why we live here - how do we perceive the differences in the cultural values between the two communities. I think the answers will be nuanced and unique to us. It would be easy to paint the differences with a broad brush, but I am uncertain the differentiation could be easily categorized as fitting into "Bucket A" or "Bucket B". One of the things we often discuss is the concept of "freedom". There are stark differences between the US and a country like Norway. In America behaviors are described as "The freedom to..." The freedom to say whatever you like, freedom to carry a gun, freedom to do what you want with your land, freedom to live how you choose. This notion of freedom is often conflated with a perception of ambition. Perhaps this is best personified by the illusions of "the self-made man" and "the American dream", something that has always been unattainable for many in America. The dawning realization among the American middle class that no matter how hard you work it is less likely you will accomplish more than your parents, could be a catalyst for much of the populist unrest in the States. I feel there are consequences to valuing the freedom of individuals over the responsibilities to the larger society. Certainly, we enjoy many of the same freedoms here... freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom to choose the government. But more to the point, life here in a country like Norway has been described as "The freedom from..." Freedom from the fear of crippling debt because of a catastrophic illness, freedom from workplace exploitation, freedom from the fear of job loss, freedom from poverty, freedom from a system where education is only for the wealthy. Norway's core focus on community and society over the desire of the individual is more coincidental to how Darcy and I want to live our lives. As I said, no place is perfect, and each needs to find a culture and social structure reflecting their values. While there are disagreements here (the bybanen tunnel to Åsane comes to mind), by in large folks are working towards the common good. No matter the philosophical differences. That was not something we consistently experienced in the States. We certainly were captivated by nature, but the cultural and political differences are topics I have shied away from in these videos. If for no other reason than the response from viewers can often be toxic. I am reminded daily of my cultural lens. And I realize that as long as we live here (which hopefully will be for the rest of our lives) we will always be seen as “the Americans.” That is fine. I would never appropriate the culture and pretend to be Norwegian. The aspiration is to always be respectful and integrate the best we can. We pay our taxes, volunteer, respect the beauty and wonder of nature, and try not to make eye contact as we walk on the sidewalk 😊. Sorry for the very long response. But your comment was so thoughtful I felt it needed a more nuanced answer. We are sorting out why this feels like home. There are many, many layers to the calculus of our decision. And over time we will arrive at a more succinct description. For now, it is more of a nebulous feeling than a definitive answer. Thank you again for your thoughtful comment. As you can see, it has prompted us to take stock of life here in a new way.
Thank you for the reply! About your example of freedom in the US vs Norway, yes, that was exactly what I suspected, I just didn't want to come right out and say it in case I was wrong. The norwegian mindset is very much about how your freedoms shouldn't encroach onto others. It can even take on bizarre qualities sometimes, like with how many seniors in norway demand to be put into homes, because they can't stomach the thought of being a bother. Could you imagine a southern european culture ever thinking like that? It's a very nordic thing. I remember having to almost shout people inside and down into the sofa if they came unannounced and you already had visitors. People do no want to encroach. I almost added an addendum on my last comment about how I don't know if actually delving into politics is the right fit for your videos. They have a more abstract feel to them, more philosophical. But I do think there's a way around that where instead of talking about the politics themselves, you talk about the philosophies that inspire them. Most of the toxic people probably wouldn't see the connection and thus you might skirt on past them, hahah. As to your third point, I don't know if I agree. If my ostensibly ethnically norwegian family can become very americanized and accepted as american then I think the two of you can probably achieve the opposite as well. Even without learning the language fully, I think people would be able to sense the difference between people who "get it" and people who don't. You certainly wouldn't be giving off the vibe of a tourist for example. You might even find yourself getting asked if you live here. Isn't that a form of acceptance? It could be read as that the person asking doesn't assume you live here, which isn't acceptance, but it also could be read as someone assuming you can't be a tourist, which is a form of acceptance. It's not really a question of either/or, I think, it's a whole stepladder of identities You also have to remember that in the last fifty years Norway has seen a large influx of immigrants, and plenty of those are now coming up on their second, third and even fourth generations. I grew up with the children of immigrants in my class, in my clubs and sports, which was not at all the case for my parents. I never considered them as anything other than Norwegian. I even once assumed a friend of mine was ethnically norwegian, even though he was obviously not, it just didn't enter my mind, I had him filed under "norwegian". So all that to say, I don't think you should write yourself off, if getting more integrated is what you wish, I think you totally can. It would obviously help to speak the language, and help even more to have a flawless pronounciation. But I think if you move your mindset from "either I'm in or either I'm out" into a spectrum of integration and acceptance, you will find a lot of goals and "firsts" to appreciate and work towards. Countless precedents of someone speaking differently and looking differently, yet being fully embraced as Norwegian by the majority of people, has already been in place for decades at this point. You and your wife don't even look that different; you could almost say you have an advantage! This is no longer a completely homogenous country. And please, by all means, write as long of a comment as you want, I'm not scared of words: I'm a writer!@@TheStoryGuide
Beautilful and a video that let the thoughts starts spin. My mother was planning to leave Norway for Seattle in 1964. Bought the big chest, got Visa - and then... met my father here in Norway. So, we have a unused "Amerika Koffert" (chest) in the basement...
Thanks! That is very kind. I have shot a ton of footage, but I am trying to find a storyline that makes sense. The good news is we have purchased a home here in Bergen. The bad news is with the pace of renovation it could take a long time to get it ready. My kids want me to document the process, but we'll see if I can find enough content to make it more than a home fixer upper channel. :) That said, there are definately more stories to come. Thank you for watching.
Have you become an F1 fan? We have a friend that has moved from the States to Norway (where we live) and she struggles a bit. Will show her your videos - your a great story teller - and very observant when it comes to our Norwegian culture.
Thank you very much. It can be difficult to adjust to any new culture. We have been here almost 3 years and I still have days where I wonder, "Will I ever figure this out?" But those moments are fewer in number as Bergen becomes home. We feel very fortunate to have found a place in the world that feels right to us. This is a great community.
I forgot to add, I've been a Formula 1 fan since I was a kid. Not sure why, but I have always found it very engaging. For me it has always felt like the best drivers with the best technology on tracks steeped in history. The sport has evolved, with each era having benefits, but my interest has never waned. And now I follow the series that are feeding the next generation of drivers into the sport - F2, F3 and the W series. Always interesting.
Honestly, for the life of me, I can't remember. I know I have it written down. But where are all my gardening notes? In a box somewhere. :) Perhaps someone else will recognize it and save me from digging through the records I have in storage.
Thank you. The shift in our mindset from seeing our life here as temporary to permanent is really interesting. We feel good about calling Bergen home, and the agency that comes with making that decision has made the transition much easier. Thank you for the welcome.
Coming from Seattle and going to be visiting Bergen in September! Any museums and trails you recommend visiting? Love to have a coffee if you’re available! Thank you prof!!
That is great to hear Jacob. I am not sure this is helpful, but I cobbled together a document outlining what to expect and where to go when visiting Bergen. bit.ly/3WWGoiX Feel free to reach out when you get here.
I am happy to have seen your journey. I hope your life in Norway is amazing. Me and my wife are looking at moving that way to into Bergin as well. Software engineers are needed over there and it is beautiful. Would you have advice for someone that is looking to go that way?
Finding an opportunity for work can be tricky. I am certainly not an expert, but my understanding is if you are not from a country in the Schengen Area (most of the EU countries, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), to work in Norway you will first need a residency permit. This means you will either need to secure a job before you come or enter on a temporary permit like as a student. The system is not really set up for someone to move here and then look for a job. Additionally, your employer will be the one to manage and coordinate securing your visa. As that can be expensive and complicated, many employers will choose instead to look for a potential employee who is a Norwegian citizen or already has the right to work here. Honestly, that is why the system exists - to ensure that Norwegians have the best opportunity to fill Norwegian jobs. Your advantage is there is demand for tech workers, therefore that should afford you a better path. There are plenty of resources available online to help you create a strategy. UDI's website clearly outlines the requirements. Websites like Life in Norway have a slew of articles that outline where to look and what to do. Most every available job will be posted on Finn.no, and you can filter by location, skills, and requirements. That might be the best approach to finding an opportunity that meets your needs. No matter what, start learning Norwegian now. Even rudimentary language skills will help you land a job. It is true that many folks here speak better English than most Americans. But while your workplace may accommodate non-Norwegian speakers, to acclimate and thrive in the workplace basic language skills are a must. The conversations over lunch, after work, or in the hallway will be in Norsk. The focus here is on collaboration and respect. Beginning the process of learning Norwegian will signal to both an employer and coworkers that you want to be part of a team. Don’t be dissuaded by the effort because it is certainly worth it. Best of luck and I hope this helps a little.
A really interesting idea. I find that every time I open a box we have shipped from the States a flood of memories spill out. It is literally unpacking memories. There is an odd incongruity to seeing something you have always associated with you life in one place appearing in your new life. Thanks for watching.
Loved the video, What company did you use for the transatlantic shipping? My wife is American and we need to do this as well soon for some of her stuff
We worked with a company that specializes in moving folks in and out of Norway - Sirva. I looked around and compared a slew of options. While the price point was a little higher, it was a great choice. The customer service was incredible, the communication was clear and consistent, the preparation and paperwork for customs was spot on, and I could track our stuff throughout the journey. When all was said and done, it was a very good investment for us. This choice worked for us, but may not be right for everyone. Also, please know that this is not a paid endorsement. I am nothing more than a satisfied customer. Thanks for reaching out. Hope this helps.
Hi, I'm very interested in what company you work for. I've worked from home now for going on 4 years I know you said it was based in Seattle but have offices in Norway. As another American trying to move to Norway.
Thank you for watching. I am sorry my point of view as a storyteller strikes you as self-promotion. You have an interesting perspective, as these videos are neither monetized nor focused on advancing a specific agenda. When I share my experiences they are nothing more than that, personal observations about life's rich pageant. Still, I can understand how someone on the outside looking in could categorize my stories as "promote so much". I find it curious that your channel info directs folks to your website, which is focused on promotion. I hope you are successful in discovering content and storytellers that better meet your expectations. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Lol sick and tired of these stereotypes about how to behave in Norway. You can perfectly smile or even, yes talk to stranger here, Norwegians do it every day. It just depends on the context, situation and person. Staring is worse than smiling and can be interpreted as aggression. My mom calls it “people watching”, and she does it for fun while drinking coffee and some pastry like a bun/cinnamon bun, out on a bench🫣 And most people will smile back. Even though they either think you’re crazy, psychopath, stalker or wanna sell them something🤣🤣🤣 Sometimes a stranger will smile at you while in passing out in public, and it can be due to various reasons, good mood, a nice day/weather, a holiday/vacay, or they like your outfit. And I hold my fork in my left and knofe in my right. I seldom even use a knife. People here aren’t that iffy about these things. It’s not that deep. Only ones that seem to care are Karens, and old people. I even hold my pencil “weirdly” according to most, but it’s hasn’t stopped me nor excluded me from participating in the Norwegian culture that I grew up in during the 90’s and 2000’s as a Millennial. I’m sure you’re good people, even as Americans, but people and you alike, need to realize that in the rest of Europe, especially Portugal and Spain where this has become a real problem and anti American sentiments are on the rise, foreigners moving in, especially from other 1st world countries like America, are causing the prices to skyrocket, resulting in the local people having to move out of their homes, neighborhoods and homelands because they can’t afford it. Big American firms/corporations are also buying up land and buildings. Europe is slowly being invaded, taken over a colonized by American immigrants and tourists. Not only is it extremely ironic, but something many are not aware of. In Norway, and especially Iceland they have a problem with tourism taking over and ruining the local fauna and nature. Too many people at once, and heavy traffic causes damage to the nature and wildlife. Same can be seem here in Norway. It also leads to pollution and destruction of national and famous landmarks and tourist attractions. So much so that the locals are fed up. In Iceland they can’t go to any restaurant or cafe in the country without hearing English. I’m glad Americans are out traveling to widen their narrow horizon and learn about the world which should be have taught in school originally, but it has dire consequences. Especially for us, and the lands you move to. The alt right fear and hate refugees and working immigrants from Asia/Middle East and Africa due to religion and skin color, yet the real threat are fellow Europeans (Russians/Poles), and Americans.
What are you on about? They are more than welcome to stay here, why the hostile comment. Stereotypes are sometimes right and sometimes not, and to some degree they are correct here and also not. Some people will smile, even though it’s like a quick one, and some will try their best to avoid looking your direction at all. The fork and knife thing was new to me though.
Thanks for the feedback. I agree that working in generalizations and stereotypes can be problematic. As Mari mentioned, stereotypes are usually formed because there is some element of truth to them. They certainly can paint with a broad brush, do not apply to everyone, and over time lose their relevance as communities and cultures change. As a storyteller I try to use them as self-effacement, highlighting my failures rather than to cast aspersions on others. It is unfortunate when they are perceived as a shot at an individual or culture. When I include something like smiling, or waiting for the green man to appear at a crosswalk, or not sitting next to someone on the bus, it is usually a device as part of a joke. But not everyone finds the same things funny. With the example of smiling at folks I don't know, perhaps it is a generational thing. I am unlikely to initiate a smile to someone much younger than me because, well, it is pretty creepy. And I have observed that folks my age are less likely to engage with a smile. I do find that there are significant differences with how strangers interact wherever I go. Because of my life experiences my spectrum for engagement is different than someone from Asia, or Africa, the American South, or Bergen. As to the knife and fork, I can see why that doesn't make sense. I am thinking I should have instead said that I eat my hamburgers with my hands. I had a friend stop me during dinner a few days ago and mention she had never seen someone eat an Inside Rock burger without a fork. :)
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
It's been such a treat watching your journey over the years! Leaving a place that you've called home for many years is quite difficult. I left the U.S. and lived in two countries that are almost complete opposites of each other, México 🇲🇽 and then Georgia 🇬🇪. When you move to a different country and culture, you learn a LOT about yourself, both the good and the bad, but also about how quickly you can adapt to a completely different lifestyle. It's such a wonderful learning experience and I don't regret any bit of it! Looking forward to seeing more of beautiful Bergen from you soon! ❤
You are absolutely right. What an incredible learning experience. A move like this forces you to take stock of life every day. And with the newness of each day comes an awareness of living in the moment, not letting time slip away and learning what you hold as most important.
Please never stop making your videos about your new life in Norway. As an American expat, watching your videos helps when it gets difficult sometimes. Thank you!!
Wow, I can't say I expected these stories would afford the sense that, as expats, we share many common feelings and experiences. I completely understand how the struggle can wear someone down. We all have have good days and bad days as we untangle the unfamiliar. Still, on the whole, the benefits far outweigh the challenges for us. Feel free to reach out if there is ever a question you think I might be able to answer. Best of luck and thank you for watching.
Thank you so much for this series ❤ I’m a single 24 year old guy from Vancouver likely making the move to Norway in a few months as well. Seeing your documentation of basically the same move helps a lot in terms of what to expect and validating some of my mixed emotions. I’ve loved Norway since I was a kid and know this is the right decision, it’s just hard to leave all your memories behind as your so perfectly illustrated here. Thanks for everything!
Thank you for investing the time to watch the series. I make these videos worried that they will come off as being self aggrandizing, but the real goal is to capture moments in time because I know eventually I will forget the details. I definately work to tell stories that will resonate on a deeper level with the viewer. They are personal as a way to prompt folks to ask questions about their own life choices, to realize every choice has consequences (good and not so good) and to appreciate where they live... no matter where that is. Thanks for the note and best of luck with your journey.
I welcome you to Norway. Watched some of your videos, and subscribed. I'm sure you'll enjoy it here.
It's wonderful to hear about your move to Bergen! As someone who grew up there myself and now lives near Oslo, I warmly welcome you to this beautiful part of Norway. Watching your journey, from navigating the challenges of covid in a hotel to missing your loved ones and finally settling into Bergen life, has been truly inspiring. I hope you're finding comfort in the unique social norms here, like the quiet respect for personal space on public transport and the more reserved nature of street interactions. It's clear you're an amazing parent, partner, and family member. Here's to your continued enjoyment and discovery of all the incredible experiences Norway has to offer. Welcome!
This was extremely well done and such a great story to be part of. Welcome to Bergen, Norway 🇳🇴 Can't wait to see what you make of the journey going forward.
Thank you for the very kind words. This certainly is a journey. One that is gratifying because there are occasionally difficult challenges to overcome. We feel fortunate each and every day that Norway is our home. There will be more to come
How great that you've decided to stay! It's been wonderful to see my country from your perspective through these videos; can't wait for more! Velkommen velkommen!
Thank you for the kind words and warm welcome. Being an "outsider" affords me a lens for seeing all that is awesome about Bergen and Norway. No place is perfect, but this works for us. Thanks!
I dream of going to Norway one day! hopefully to live and work there
Same
Thank you for making this wonderful video series. It was well produced and a topic close to my family right now. We are planning a move to Oslo in 2025. Watching your journey has been inspirational, we hope to run into you when in Bergen!
I cant stop crying watching this. And it makes me laugh to myself
I just discovered your videos now... at work...
And I just had to watch them all in one go!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
I hope your past 48 hours haven't been too difficult with the terrible wind!
I haven't been to Bergen in such a long time even though I am a Norwegienne, but was tempted by all your beautiful footage of the less famous areas and streets!
Watching this makes me cry of thinking of doing the same oneday . Thank you for this. I hope to maybe bumb into you and family in Bergen.
I remember moving u guys. thanks for the opportunity. hope all is well. one day I wana come down and see how life is. It's me Spartacus long hair one lol..God bless 🙏🏾🤙
Spartacus! It is great to hear from you! We loved having you pack our treasures because it gave us confidence our belongings would arrive safely on the other side of the world. The joy you all expressed through hard work and professionalism was so impressive. I often think back about how you guys made a stressful transition a much smoother experience. Thanks for watching. I am really pleased you found the video.
It's exciting to open a new chapter, but hard to leave the old one behind
A new video!!
Im so glad you decided to stay here, and what a heart warming video you made. It must have been difficult to leave your old life behind, as well as your kids.
You have a great talent for storytelling, filming and editing and I loved watching the journey to get here once again.
I was dissappointed when I realized the clip was ending without getting to see more of your journey, it was so engaging to watch. 😊
With that being said, I can’t wait to see the rest since it said this was part 1. 😊
Welcome to Bergen, I really hope people here treat you good.
I hope I run into you guys one day, as I love getting new perspectives and it’s also like a way to get to know your country through others eyes. I also like learning about American culture in comparison. 🇳🇴🇺🇸
Take care❤
Poignant. I can only imagine the difficulty of making that decision and then all the organization required to carry it out. I always look forward to your incredibly well crafted stories and looking foward to the next chapter.
I genuinely appreciate that you find that video storytelling is a craft. I love the process, but the task can be difficult and the granularity of interleaving the parts is often annoyingly frustrating. This one was tough to figure out, particularly with the inherently episodic nature of the footage. I am glad that the story resonated with you. It is certainly a bit of departure from the first five, but I think it affords context within the arc of the series. As to the next chapter, I'm looking forward to it also. I simply don't know what it will be. At least not yet. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
This series has been wonderful to follow. I found your channel right as I was preparing to move to Norway from the US myself, and having another persons experiences and perspective has really helped me in the process. So thank you
When we moved here I wish we had a better guide on what to expect. We certainly are not the end-all, be-all source for understanding the challenges of moving from the States to Norway, but hopefully the series provides a little insight on some of the things that made us stumble. More importantly, I am hopeful that folks have a better understanding why this choice is something we celebrate each and every day. Life here is good for us. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment.
You're so brave. Great to follow your journey. If I had to choose, Bergen would probably also be one of my top choices to move.
Not so sure about brave, but stepping into such an unfamiliar experience was a bit of a leap of faith. We love living here in Norway. We chose Bergen after exploring the country from north to south, east to west. Most anywhere would be great, but Bergen is best for us. Thanks for watching.
23:35 I'm Norwegian and that's a lovely door.
We all love your videos and we hope you make many more.
Ha ha, I love that you spotted the door color. We really liked that door against the blue house. Thank you very much for watching and for your very kind words. There will definately be more videos. We have made a commitment to our life here, and I have at least six episodes shot. They are neither written nor edited because they revolve around the purchase and renovation/restoration of a 140-year-old house here in the heart of Bergen. All of my spare time is being absorbed with work on there, rather than video production. I can barely find the time to shoot the process. But once the dust settles, quite literally, I will begin to generate the next phase of the series -- how two Americans navigate Norway's culture of home ownership. It has been a very interesting learning curve.
@@TheStoryGuide Wow, that is impressive. I mean, you are not in your thirties anymore.. I hope the house will be a blessing, not just work and frustration. Can't wait to see more videos from you guys!
Great storytelling!
Thank you for the kind words, and most of all for watching.
Welcome to my country.
You will never completely leave your life in the US, nor will you totally convert into Norway, but you can enjoy the best of the cultures and continue to find out what is behind the next corner or mountain. We have also moved between countries before we came back home. Would not be without the experiences.
This was beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Glad you enjoyed it! My hope is in ten years I will be able to look back on the video and marvel how far we have come. Thank you for watching.
Greetings from Svalbard! Been loving watching your series. Glad to see It become permanent. Have a nice life in Bergen:)
Hey, thanks! Svalbard is on the list of places to visit. What a great place to live.
Moving away from my house and life in the US to live in Bergen was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. I can't imagine doing it *twice* though - once when you came to Bergen for your initial stint, and now more permanently.
I still go back and forth as to whether this was the right choice for me. I hope your travels have fared well and I hope you aren't too buried in the snow right now. :D
For sure, that was a ton of snow for our rainy city. Let's just say the dogs were less than pleased each time we took them out. As to the move, I too vacillate about the decision, particularly since I'll never really know what is "right". When I step back from the day-to-day and consider what life would be like back in the States, and then consider my life here, the scales always tip in favor of Bergen. The positives of Seattle, and the hassles of Norway, do not outweigh the benefits of building a new life and community here. Certainly each day has some element of struggle (missing my kids, figuring out how to modify a favorite recipe with the limited ingredients available, navigating the bureaucracy), but we learn from them and move on. Obviously, no place is perfect. But for us at least, this is the right choice. Best of luck as you take stock of things. And thank you for watching.
I was secretly hoping you guys would decide to stay, I am so glad you did! I studied in Bergen for two years a few years ago, and I'm considering moving back as well. Really hope you get the opportunity to see every part of the country, and I hope your kids come to visit too :)
We keep trying to get the kids over here. Wanted them to come for Christmas, but with work and other responsibilities it is proving difficult for them to make the journey. It will happen, just not soon enough for Darcy and me. We do love exploring this incredible country. After two years I think we have seen perhaps .5% of Norway. It is huge, varied, and epic. There is always something new that takes your breath away or reminds you that the people who have called this land home have been here for thousands of years. I often find it humbling when I consider the timescale of this place how each day is little more than a blip on the continuum of history. This perspective of time is very new to me. Thanks for watching and thank you for the comment. It would be great to have you back in Bergen.
@@TheStoryGuide I have family in New York who have been able to visit only a few times, so I totally understand.
As for seeing more of the country, my favourite place is northern Norway during the summer (Lofoten, Narvik, etc.), so I highly recommend that! Can’t wait to see more of your journey now as permanent residents.
@@deadringerrr I totally agree, the north in summer is spectacular. We've seen some of Lofoten, Kirkenes and Nordkapp in the summer, but feel as if we have only touched a place that is full of wonder. Darcy was an exchange student in Andøya during high school, and I considered going to school in Tromsø, so life above the arctic circle has always called to us. While Bergen is home, there is so much to see and explore. Thank you for the great advice.
Beautiful video, thank u for sharing! x
You are a great filmmaker, really. Jeg er fra Tyskland og elsker Bergen / Norge like you do. Hilsen
I really enjoy your videos, and I hope you continue sharing your life in Norway. My grandparents came from Norway. I was there last year in July and this last May, and I fell in love with being there. I've thought about the idea of moving - it's certainly a huge decision! But I appreciate you showing the process to make it feel more achievable. Thank you!
You are welcome to move here, for study or work. We won't bite you!
Well made and said. I lived in the country for only a couple years before having to move back, and miss it with everything I have. Since moving back, life has continued and the idea of moving back feels harder and harder to make; family, friends, memories. I could see my home in that final take off shot and it was very emotional. Thank you for this amazing video, og håper dere trives i Norge! Jeg ser frem til den neste videoen :)
Beatiful video.
Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Im currently in Uni and i hope to someday, when i graduate and get a job, be able to move to Norway. I've been really onto the idea of it, evaluating pretty much every pro and con of it (leaving family, friends and pets behind, the loneliness of being in a new place, the paperwork needed, etc.) and even though it's someting for the far future it makes me anxious. Your videos have been a great way of taking notes for future reference.
Thanks for sharing a view into a process most of us will never do, moving over such a great distance. Always interesting to see new videos about your move 👍🏻
I have binged every episodes now and can't wait to the next. All I can say, you did a great choice, and I want to welcome you and your wife to my homecountry Norway
Well thank you! We do feel welcomed by so many of the amazing people here. For us, this is the perfect balance of culture, community, nature and society. Each day we are reminded how fortunate we are. I have a feeling we will never take this opportunity for granted. Thank you for watching.
I love these videos. Please keep them coming
Thank you very much. There are more on the way. I expect to begin publishing them in late November or early December.
We happy to have you .teacher thanks. :-)
Always looking forward to watching your storyguide. Gutsy move.
Now it's gonna be exiting to see when the contaioners arrive, if your belongings has survied the long journey across the Atlantic.
A bit crossed that YT don't give me notificatrions, but anyways, I'm here 8 days after the release.😜
Let me say, I admire your decision, awaiting the day(video) you're gonna reveal what made you choose Norway over the US.
For a Norwegian, it's always intriguing to know the reasons why, and what tipped the scale in "our" favour?
Thank you for sharing your journey. greetings from ARctic Lo-Ve Islands!
Have a happy, loving and successful 2024❣🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉
You are not the only person to mention that TH-cam did not surface this video with subscribers. My guess is too much time has passed since episode five was released. Disappointing, for sure. But this series has a pretty long shelf life and folks tend to find them over time. I started this series for my family and friends, and I am still surprised that others have shared they enjoy the stories. The reasons for moving here are rather nuanced and touch on a wide range of reasons - personal, cultural, social, political. Darcy and I are struggling a bit how to tell that story without casting aspersions on those who might feel differently. We don't want to stand on a soapbox preaching about how things are "awful" in one place or "perfect" in another. We do want to tell the story of "why", but with a global audience we want to be sensitive to how we present it. It will come, but I am not sure how it will land. Stay tuned. :) Thanks again for watching and the kind words.
Guess who’s back!!!🙏💪
Very happy to keep on being able to follow your journey to Norway (my dream country)!
I laughed out loud when I saw your comment. Thank you. It is good to be back, but I feel I never really left. I think I am discovering the cadence to these videos will be every 4-6 months. As much as I love creating them they are difficult to put together, and I want to avoid generating something that is nothing but filler. The hope is for each to have a point of view and a purpose. It takes awhile to sort out my thoughts on a topic and then figure out how to tell the story visually. But I think that puzzle is the part of the process I enjoy the most. Thank you very much for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment.
@@TheStoryGuide and that’s perfectly ok, each person has its rhythms and amounts of free time. I’ll keep on being here waiting for them, learning with them, learning with what you say, and enjoying them 😊💪🇳🇴
@@TheStoryGuideQuality over quantity. That's what keeps me watching at least 😊
I absolutely love Norway! Will move there any day. Such a beautiful country and Bergen is a stunning city!
Drew, I'm crying on the inside 😭 Relate so much to how a different culture becomes everyday from my former expat days, but also to leaving behind the physical home that once brought your family together after my recent move from Seattle. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal look into your move!
Wow, that is very kind of you to say. I worried it would be a little too personal. Still, all the moments were genuine. I think folks can sense when someone is "performing" for a camera, and viewers recognize this is an accurate documentation of our experience - along with the unexpected emotions. The hope is the story helps people appreciate what is great in their lives and to take stock of why they have chose to call someplace "home". Thank you for watching and sharing such a thoughtful comment.
Love your writing - combined with your voice, makes for a soothing watch 🥂
Your videos are really good!
Thank you for the words of support. I appreciate that you watched and took the time to let me know you like them.
Watching your videos about your move to Norway and Bergen have been such a joy! I hope you enjoy your new life in Norway, and I hope to see more videos from you :)
Awesome videos and storytelling. Now, Im grabbing some popcorn and waiting for the next video "The Landing". :)
Välkommen till Norden!
I was hoping you would find the video. So, what do you think? Good choice? Its not Sweden. As always, thanks for watching.
hey drew, lovely story that was !!
i recently moved to the north pole ( kirknes, norway ), to persue my dream of working here as a doctor. i wrapped up my life in warsaw poland, where i have i studied for 7 years and it was tough. it was harder then when i left dubai (i'm iraqi) , where i was born and lived for 17 years. your story resonated with me and i loved the whole series, sometimes its the right choice it leave everything and start all over. i am excited about life here and i hope it will be kind to me, 2 weeks in now and its going alright.
please keep the stories coming as i enjoyed them.
Wow, those are very thoughtful comments. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. I wanted to reach out to see how life is treating you with your new opportunities. Kirkenes is such an amazing town. I was there five years ago and I was captivated by how warm the folks were, how cold the place is, the intersection of nature and civilization, and the rich history. For us, three years into our transition and each day brings us opportunities to better understand how to build our new lives. Lots of challenges, but the personal rewards are incredible. Best of luck. And yes, there will be more episodes. I have collected a lot of material that I will begin to craft into stories. Cheers.
What a wonderful video again 🥰 It's hard to leave, but Norway is the paradies 😃
The algorithm wants me to keep up with your journey apparently, and I do not mind!
Although I know factually how huge it is to move country, leaving most everything you know and love behind. This video really contextualized it for me. Your home looked so beautiful and cozy filled with the care and memories you guys have given it over the years, and your family looks absolutely lovely!
I cannot compliment you enough about your filming and video editing either. I can't remember if you have used music with singing in past vlogs(it's been a while since I saw them), but 15:58 just sounded so beautiful when the song faded in, and fit so well.
Also, that fork thing is very relatable to me! lol
While growing up, I had a guardian very particular about my table manners. No elbows on the table, sit politely, eat silently, wait for everyone to sit before eating, and wait for everyone to be done eating. Always say thanks (tusen takk) for the food before you can ask to leave the table. It's good knowledge to have I think, how to be and act polite.
But holding the fork in my left hand had to be (not literally) beat into me! It felt very unnatural for me and ended up just making me very confused every time I ate😅
But I realized quickly when I had the freedom to eat how I wanted that it really does not matter and no one cares. You just hold it in the hand that feels natural and no one has ever commented or criticized me about it since. But it almost became a life journey for me, figuring out my fork-holding technique lol
So I was very surprised when you commented about the fork holding as part of the cultural language! I never realized it was limited to Norway(or maybe neighboring countries?) 😂
Wow, what a kind and thoughtful comment. Thank you. I appreciate that you took the time to watch, and the story resonated with you. The fork thing may be more of a European v. North American contrast. In the states we are taught to switch our fork back and forth between our left and right hands - left hand when cutting, right hand when shoveling in the food. When I started venturing beyond the isolation of my American cultural reference points by traveling the world, it struck me that in many cultures you keep your fork in the left hand for most two-utensil meals. Far more efficient. Although I was amazed the time I was sharing a meal with someone who was so skilled at the endeavor he could eat peas off the blade of his knife. If I had tried that I would have probably flung them around the room. Again, thank you for watching.
Admire your bravery and commitment! Not an easy choice to make im sure! My wife and I have twice had similar experiences once moving from Norway to Italy, and then back again from Italy to Norway when we were expecting our daughter, "all" of our belongings crammed into a station wagon 😅! So we know a little about adapting to life in a new country. That said, we had it much easier as we didnt have kids at the time, cant imagine how difficult it would have been to do so now! My wife is Italian and can identify with a lot of the experiences you had adapting to life in Bergen. Yes, I am a born and raised "bergenser" and happy to have the both of you as a fellow citizen! Dont be suprised if we say hello should we spot you in town 😉 , I guess we are not your typical Norwegians like that... please make more videos! We truly enjoy them and cant wait for the continuation!
Tusen takk!!
I would love it if you said "hei". I am always a bit surprised when someone mentions they have watched these stories, and flattered when they mention they enjoyed them. I can not imagine driving with my belongings in a station wagon. It must have been a long and exciting trip. What a change from Italy to Bergen. I look forward to bumping into you here. Thanks for the message.
I startet watching your series yesterday, and i love the way you make these videoes. I really enjoyed it! As a born and raised "Bergenser" it is very interesting to see the journey through a foreigners eyes. Velkommen hjem!
Thank you for the welcome home. I envy that you have always called Bergen home. But perhaps my appreciation for the community comes from my experience living in many different places in the States. It makes it easy to recognize all that is good about this town. Thanks for watching.
I want to wish you great new beginnings in Norway…your new home!
Hope i bump into you one day in Bergen! Welcome and hope you thrive here 🙂
Your videos are so beautiful! We are also moving to another city in a few months and this is so inspiring! Thanks for everything!
Best of luck with your journey. Thank you for watching.
My best wishes for a happy and good life for you and your wife here in norway.
A tough decision to make, I'm sure. Then again, variety is the spice of life.
Så hjertelig velkommen til norge:) Ønsker og håper at dere får det fint her og at dette også blir "hjemme".
Yay! New episode!
Just love your videos,and welcome to Bergen😃😃
I can understand escaping Seattle!
Unfortunately, much has changed in the last 15 years. Lots more folks and an infrastructure that is stressed to the breaking point. Thanks for watching.
I just stumbled onto this video series today and watched all six parts. Was curious if you would choose to stay afterwards, and now I have my answer. Definitely understand your love for Bergen, I've lived here nearly two decades and absolutely love the city. I'm originally from further up the west coast, so Bergen felt a lot like home to me really fast. Similar weather, similar attitudes in the people, and it has that unique way of feeling like a small town but with large town offerings. I think the mountains separating the different boroughs really help with that.
Curious to how you've been experiencing the language, I know it can be a little bit more challenging to learn if you're a native English speaker since we automatically switch to English whenever speaking to non-natives. Plus you can get by so easily with using just English most of the time. I had a French flatmate several years ago and he had to insist on me speaking as much Norwegian as possible around him so he could have a chance to properly learn it. And I had to convert to an Oslo-ish way of speaking whenever speaking to him to make it easier (then got to go back to using my regular dialect after about a year).
Ah... my struggles with the language. Funny you should ask. My wife is doing well. She will take her B1 exam in the next few months. For me, the primary challenge (excuse) is that my daily environment is in English. As I work remotely for an American company, and the program at the university is in English, every conversation, every meeting, every memo is in English. Most days the only Norsk I hear is from the news, on television, or online. I am envious of your flatmate. It is just my wife and me in the house, so there is little use trying to practice here. Too often we fuss a little because neither of us are sure who is right. It appears that we accomplish little more than reenforcing our poor skills. An additional excuse I tell myself is that in having responsibility for two jobs I find creating the time for things like språkkafé can be challenging. When out and about Darcy and I do our best to speak Norsk. I am amused when someone immediately switches to English. I can't help but assume that listening to my Norwegian is so painful they use English to save their ears. OK, more likely they see it as a favor so I am not struggling. I must admit I am amused when trying to sift through the more formal bokmål as opposed to the bergensk I encounter on the street. More than once I have had to refer to Study Bergen's learn-bergensk glossary to sort out what folks are saying. This year my focus is on bearing down and getting better. I have never been great at memorization or the "rules" of language (grammar, spelling, etc.) so that is something I will continue to overcome. Despite all these excuses, learning the language is important to me for many reasons. Not just for assimilation and communication, but also because I want folks to know that I am truly invested in my life here. Despite the struggle it will come. Just not fast enough for me. (In rereading this it appears I've become rather defensive. Lots of excuses and not enough action. Guess I better get in gear.) Thanks for the nudge and for helping me publicly share my commitment to get better. And most of all, thank you for watching and the kind words.
If I switch to English around someone it is never as a reaction to their skill, but more an accomodation to them. I honestly have a lot of respect for people who are learning Norwegian as a second/third/etc language, because I know how difficult our diverse dialects make it for them (I've heard from people that relocating to a different part of the country can almost set them back to the beginning in terms of learning the language because the new dialect will be so very different). I attend the boardgame club at Nordnes most weeks, and we have a bunch of members who primarily speak other languages than Norwegian. Some of them are competent enough in Norwegian that it doesn't matter whether I speak Norwegian or English with them, but other members have not yet reached that level and would not understand (much) if I spoke only in Norwegian. So any public announcements at the club is done in English to accommodate them and for me, whenever I sit down to play with people who I know don't have Norwegian as their first language, I ask if they prefer I speak Norwegian or English with them. Sometimes they tell me to go ahead with Norwegian, other times they need me to use English and I'm honestly fine with either (plus I love any opportunity I get to speak English, lol)
To be fair, bokmål doesn't really resemble most dialects at all (even nynorsk which is technically based on a myriad of dialects don't do that good of a job either, least of all with my dialect). That's just how it goes with written versus spoken Norwegian. Don't expect them to match up all that much. And don't worry about what people think, most of us will just appreciate that you are trying and give it time.
Fantastic video, you have a real talent for this, you're really good at what you do. I could probably watch a video from you about anything. As a norwegian I do think there's a lot of things that americans can learn from norway (and vice versa, ambition is one). But I do have to say I echo the questions bergensere have asked you, "why bergen?" or even just "why norway?" I would like to understand your reasons and point of view more. If you ever need a topic to make a video on then I think expanding on that would make a good video. Thank you for sharing a part of your journey with us!
Curiously, you comment prompted a long conversation between my wife and me - on our Saturday tur through Bergen's rare snow. To be totally honest, neither of us have a definitive answer. This very well could be the next episode. Thank you for prompting us to really think about "why".
Wow, that's so cool to hear! I have family in the united states myself who have lived there for decades at this point and run a pretty large and successful company as the founders. It's so peculiar to listen to someone speak norwegian pretty flawlessly, yet be so unapologetically american. All but one of them don't really like it here in Norway and only really come to visit because of family. They fully embrace american values. I'm not one to say which values are strictly better, I think a lot of things like that can be very relative, but it does feel strange. You and your wife seem to be almost the opposite of my american family, which is part of why your series has been so interesting to me.
Because of this video I rewatched your whole series from the beginning yesterday, and I noticed that you highlighted a holiday trip here as the beginning of your love of Norway, and it was the nature which did it for you. But in later videos you talk about how moving here has put a mirror up to your national identity and your set of values and that you now feel almost less unique and more like a stereotypical american because your perspective on yourself has shifted. So I would just assume that there is something about the attitudes, the values or perhaps even the politics here in Norway that has made you think or feel something new.
Or perhaps it's just the nature. Hehe, not everything has to be so complicated. But if there is something more intricate, I would very much like to hear about it. Just like you've gotten your mirror, I long for a similar thing, I want to understand myself and the place I come from better through understanding other people's perspectives on that place better. Your videos are perfect for that. Once again thank you!@@TheStoryGuide
You have identified one of the core questions we ask ourselves when discussing why we live here - how do we perceive the differences in the cultural values between the two communities. I think the answers will be nuanced and unique to us.
It would be easy to paint the differences with a broad brush, but I am uncertain the differentiation could be easily categorized as fitting into "Bucket A" or "Bucket B". One of the things we often discuss is the concept of "freedom". There are stark differences between the US and a country like Norway. In America behaviors are described as "The freedom to..." The freedom to say whatever you like, freedom to carry a gun, freedom to do what you want with your land, freedom to live how you choose. This notion of freedom is often conflated with a perception of ambition. Perhaps this is best personified by the illusions of "the self-made man" and "the American dream", something that has always been unattainable for many in America. The dawning realization among the American middle class that no matter how hard you work it is less likely you will accomplish more than your parents, could be a catalyst for much of the populist unrest in the States. I feel there are consequences to valuing the freedom of individuals over the responsibilities to the larger society.
Certainly, we enjoy many of the same freedoms here... freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom to choose the government. But more to the point, life here in a country like Norway has been described as "The freedom from..." Freedom from the fear of crippling debt because of a catastrophic illness, freedom from workplace exploitation, freedom from the fear of job loss, freedom from poverty, freedom from a system where education is only for the wealthy. Norway's core focus on community and society over the desire of the individual is more coincidental to how Darcy and I want to live our lives. As I said, no place is perfect, and each needs to find a culture and social structure reflecting their values. While there are disagreements here (the bybanen tunnel to Åsane comes to mind), by in large folks are working towards the common good. No matter the philosophical differences. That was not something we consistently experienced in the States.
We certainly were captivated by nature, but the cultural and political differences are topics I have shied away from in these videos. If for no other reason than the response from viewers can often be toxic. I am reminded daily of my cultural lens. And I realize that as long as we live here (which hopefully will be for the rest of our lives) we will always be seen as “the Americans.” That is fine. I would never appropriate the culture and pretend to be Norwegian. The aspiration is to always be respectful and integrate the best we can. We pay our taxes, volunteer, respect the beauty and wonder of nature, and try not to make eye contact as we walk on the sidewalk 😊.
Sorry for the very long response. But your comment was so thoughtful I felt it needed a more nuanced answer. We are sorting out why this feels like home. There are many, many layers to the calculus of our decision. And over time we will arrive at a more succinct description. For now, it is more of a nebulous feeling than a definitive answer.
Thank you again for your thoughtful comment. As you can see, it has prompted us to take stock of life here in a new way.
Thank you for the reply! About your example of freedom in the US vs Norway, yes, that was exactly what I suspected, I just didn't want to come right out and say it in case I was wrong. The norwegian mindset is very much about how your freedoms shouldn't encroach onto others. It can even take on bizarre qualities sometimes, like with how many seniors in norway demand to be put into homes, because they can't stomach the thought of being a bother. Could you imagine a southern european culture ever thinking like that? It's a very nordic thing. I remember having to almost shout people inside and down into the sofa if they came unannounced and you already had visitors. People do no want to encroach.
I almost added an addendum on my last comment about how I don't know if actually delving into politics is the right fit for your videos. They have a more abstract feel to them, more philosophical. But I do think there's a way around that where instead of talking about the politics themselves, you talk about the philosophies that inspire them. Most of the toxic people probably wouldn't see the connection and thus you might skirt on past them, hahah.
As to your third point, I don't know if I agree. If my ostensibly ethnically norwegian family can become very americanized and accepted as american then I think the two of you can probably achieve the opposite as well. Even without learning the language fully, I think people would be able to sense the difference between people who "get it" and people who don't. You certainly wouldn't be giving off the vibe of a tourist for example. You might even find yourself getting asked if you live here. Isn't that a form of acceptance? It could be read as that the person asking doesn't assume you live here, which isn't acceptance, but it also could be read as someone assuming you can't be a tourist, which is a form of acceptance.
It's not really a question of either/or, I think, it's a whole stepladder of identities You also have to remember that in the last fifty years Norway has seen a large influx of immigrants, and plenty of those are now coming up on their second, third and even fourth generations. I grew up with the children of immigrants in my class, in my clubs and sports, which was not at all the case for my parents. I never considered them as anything other than Norwegian. I even once assumed a friend of mine was ethnically norwegian, even though he was obviously not, it just didn't enter my mind, I had him filed under "norwegian".
So all that to say, I don't think you should write yourself off, if getting more integrated is what you wish, I think you totally can. It would obviously help to speak the language, and help even more to have a flawless pronounciation. But I think if you move your mindset from "either I'm in or either I'm out" into a spectrum of integration and acceptance, you will find a lot of goals and "firsts" to appreciate and work towards. Countless precedents of someone speaking differently and looking differently, yet being fully embraced as Norwegian by the majority of people, has already been in place for decades at this point. You and your wife don't even look that different; you could almost say you have an advantage! This is no longer a completely homogenous country.
And please, by all means, write as long of a comment as you want, I'm not scared of words: I'm a writer!@@TheStoryGuide
Recomndation for vaction in norway, Røros martna in february for a pretty cold... i mean cool experince. Its the 170 anniversary of it.
Beautilful and a video that let the thoughts starts spin. My mother was planning to leave Norway for Seattle in 1964. Bought the big chest, got Visa - and then... met my father here in Norway. So, we have a unused "Amerika Koffert" (chest) in the basement...
Damn if only she could have went anyway. You would have grown up in the States in the golden years.
we moved from Seattle to Helsinki the same way - sold everything and never looked back
Please, can you continue telling about your new life in Norway.
Thanks! That is very kind. I have shot a ton of footage, but I am trying to find a storyline that makes sense. The good news is we have purchased a home here in Bergen. The bad news is with the pace of renovation it could take a long time to get it ready. My kids want me to document the process, but we'll see if I can find enough content to make it more than a home fixer upper channel. :) That said, there are definately more stories to come. Thank you for watching.
Have you become an F1 fan?
We have a friend that has moved from the States to Norway (where we live) and she struggles a bit.
Will show her your videos - your a great story teller - and very observant when it comes to our Norwegian culture.
Thank you very much. It can be difficult to adjust to any new culture. We have been here almost 3 years and I still have days where I wonder, "Will I ever figure this out?" But those moments are fewer in number as Bergen becomes home. We feel very fortunate to have found a place in the world that feels right to us. This is a great community.
I forgot to add, I've been a Formula 1 fan since I was a kid. Not sure why, but I have always found it very engaging. For me it has always felt like the best drivers with the best technology on tracks steeped in history. The sport has evolved, with each era having benefits, but my interest has never waned. And now I follow the series that are feeding the next generation of drivers into the sport - F2, F3 and the W series. Always interesting.
7:11
Impressive. 😊
18:26
Yikes, that's more then my old apartments worth...
Welcome
Thank you!. We do feel welcomed every day.
What sort of tree is the red leaved one in the Seattle house garden ?
Honestly, for the life of me, I can't remember. I know I have it written down. But where are all my gardening notes? In a box somewhere. :) Perhaps someone else will recognize it and save me from digging through the records I have in storage.
I know you already lived here for two and a half years, but: Velkommen til Bergen!
Thank you. The shift in our mindset from seeing our life here as temporary to permanent is really interesting. We feel good about calling Bergen home, and the agency that comes with making that decision has made the transition much easier. Thank you for the welcome.
I’ve loved watching the journey!
Coming from Seattle and going to be visiting Bergen in September! Any museums and trails you recommend visiting? Love to have a coffee if you’re available! Thank you prof!!
That is great to hear Jacob. I am not sure this is helpful, but I cobbled together a document outlining what to expect and where to go when visiting Bergen. bit.ly/3WWGoiX Feel free to reach out when you get here.
I am happy to have seen your journey. I hope your life in Norway is amazing. Me and my wife are looking at moving that way to into Bergin as well. Software engineers are needed over there and it is beautiful. Would you have advice for someone that is looking to go that way?
Finding an opportunity for work can be tricky. I am certainly not an expert, but my understanding is if you are not from a country in the Schengen Area (most of the EU countries, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), to work in Norway you will first need a residency permit. This means you will either need to secure a job before you come or enter on a temporary permit like as a student. The system is not really set up for someone to move here and then look for a job. Additionally, your employer will be the one to manage and coordinate securing your visa. As that can be expensive and complicated, many employers will choose instead to look for a potential employee who is a Norwegian citizen or already has the right to work here. Honestly, that is why the system exists - to ensure that Norwegians have the best opportunity to fill Norwegian jobs. Your advantage is there is demand for tech workers, therefore that should afford you a better path.
There are plenty of resources available online to help you create a strategy. UDI's website clearly outlines the requirements. Websites like Life in Norway have a slew of articles that outline where to look and what to do. Most every available job will be posted on Finn.no, and you can filter by location, skills, and requirements. That might be the best approach to finding an opportunity that meets your needs.
No matter what, start learning Norwegian now. Even rudimentary language skills will help you land a job. It is true that many folks here speak better English than most Americans. But while your workplace may accommodate non-Norwegian speakers, to acclimate and thrive in the workplace basic language skills are a must. The conversations over lunch, after work, or in the hallway will be in Norsk. The focus here is on collaboration and respect. Beginning the process of learning Norwegian will signal to both an employer and coworkers that you want to be part of a team. Don’t be dissuaded by the effort because it is certainly worth it. Best of luck and I hope this helps a little.
Moving to Norway Episode 7 - Unpacking american memories? As they arrive to their destination in Norway
A really interesting idea. I find that every time I open a box we have shipped from the States a flood of memories spill out. It is literally unpacking memories. There is an odd incongruity to seeing something you have always associated with you life in one place appearing in your new life. Thanks for watching.
Is there a possibility to come and see that train table? I hope it will arrive in 1 piece. 😊
The table lives on. I am shooting the next round of videos and it certainly makes another appearance.
Loved the video,
What company did you use for the transatlantic shipping? My wife is American and we need to do this as well soon for some of her stuff
We worked with a company that specializes in moving folks in and out of Norway - Sirva. I looked around and compared a slew of options. While the price point was a little higher, it was a great choice. The customer service was incredible, the communication was clear and consistent, the preparation and paperwork for customs was spot on, and I could track our stuff throughout the journey. When all was said and done, it was a very good investment for us. This choice worked for us, but may not be right for everyone. Also, please know that this is not a paid endorsement. I am nothing more than a satisfied customer. Thanks for reaching out. Hope this helps.
@@TheStoryGuide thank you so much!
We liked your doll house 😢
I would move to Norway anny day, if only I could!
Hi, I'm very interested in what company you work for. I've worked from home now for going on 4 years I know you said it was based in Seattle but have offices in Norway. As another American trying to move to Norway.
No fun really. Cant stop crying here.😅😅
Kordan stå det til med språket?
🙂👍🇧🇻
❤🤍💙
Bye bye pearl
Oh how we miss Pearl. What a great car. Awesome in any weather and super fun to drive. :)
Your ancestors left the frozen tundra for a reason. You should listen! Ha ha Just kidding. Good luck with the new chapter in your life.
"promosm"
Thank you for watching. I am sorry my point of view as a storyteller strikes you as self-promotion. You have an interesting perspective, as these videos are neither monetized nor focused on advancing a specific agenda. When I share my experiences they are nothing more than that, personal observations about life's rich pageant. Still, I can understand how someone on the outside looking in could categorize my stories as "promote so much". I find it curious that your channel info directs folks to your website, which is focused on promotion. I hope you are successful in discovering content and storytellers that better meet your expectations. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Lol sick and tired of these stereotypes about how to behave in Norway. You can perfectly smile or even, yes talk to stranger here, Norwegians do it every day. It just depends on the context, situation and person. Staring is worse than smiling and can be interpreted as aggression. My mom calls it “people watching”, and she does it for fun while drinking coffee and some pastry like a bun/cinnamon bun, out on a bench🫣 And most people will smile back. Even though they either think you’re crazy, psychopath, stalker or wanna sell them something🤣🤣🤣 Sometimes a stranger will smile at you while in passing out in public, and it can be due to various reasons, good mood, a nice day/weather, a holiday/vacay, or they like your outfit. And I hold my fork in my left and knofe in my right. I seldom even use a knife. People here aren’t that iffy about these things. It’s not that deep. Only ones that seem to care are Karens, and old people. I even hold my pencil “weirdly” according to most, but it’s hasn’t stopped me nor excluded me from participating in the Norwegian culture that I grew up in during the 90’s and 2000’s as a Millennial. I’m sure you’re good people, even as Americans, but people and you alike, need to realize that in the rest of Europe, especially Portugal and Spain where this has become a real problem and anti American sentiments are on the rise, foreigners moving in, especially from other 1st world countries like America, are causing the prices to skyrocket, resulting in the local people having to move out of their homes, neighborhoods and homelands because they can’t afford it. Big American firms/corporations are also buying up land and buildings. Europe is slowly being invaded, taken over a colonized by American immigrants and tourists. Not only is it extremely ironic, but something many are not aware of. In Norway, and especially Iceland they have a problem with tourism taking over and ruining the local fauna and nature. Too many people at once, and heavy traffic causes damage to the nature and wildlife. Same can be seem here in Norway. It also leads to pollution and destruction of national and famous landmarks and tourist attractions. So much so that the locals are fed up. In Iceland they can’t go to any restaurant or cafe in the country without hearing English. I’m glad Americans are out traveling to widen their narrow horizon and learn about the world which should be have taught in school originally, but it has dire consequences. Especially for us, and the lands you move to. The alt right fear and hate refugees and working immigrants from Asia/Middle East and Africa due to religion and skin color, yet the real threat are fellow Europeans (Russians/Poles), and Americans.
What are you on about? They are more than welcome to stay here, why the hostile comment. Stereotypes are sometimes right and sometimes not, and to some degree they are correct here and also not. Some people will smile, even though it’s like a quick one, and some will try their best to avoid looking your direction at all. The fork and knife thing was new to me though.
Thanks for the feedback. I agree that working in generalizations and stereotypes can be problematic. As Mari mentioned, stereotypes are usually formed because there is some element of truth to them. They certainly can paint with a broad brush, do not apply to everyone, and over time lose their relevance as communities and cultures change. As a storyteller I try to use them as self-effacement, highlighting my failures rather than to cast aspersions on others. It is unfortunate when they are perceived as a shot at an individual or culture. When I include something like smiling, or waiting for the green man to appear at a crosswalk, or not sitting next to someone on the bus, it is usually a device as part of a joke. But not everyone finds the same things funny. With the example of smiling at folks I don't know, perhaps it is a generational thing. I am unlikely to initiate a smile to someone much younger than me because, well, it is pretty creepy. And I have observed that folks my age are less likely to engage with a smile. I do find that there are significant differences with how strangers interact wherever I go. Because of my life experiences my spectrum for engagement is different than someone from Asia, or Africa, the American South, or Bergen. As to the knife and fork, I can see why that doesn't make sense. I am thinking I should have instead said that I eat my hamburgers with my hands. I had a friend stop me during dinner a few days ago and mention she had never seen someone eat an Inside Rock burger without a fork. :)