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Dutch Expat Living in Norway - Interview with Inge
| Published: | 3 Mar at 9 AM |
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Filed: Interviews,Norway
Since moving to Trondheim, Norway, Inge is absolutely smitten with Norwegian culture. Or maybe she already was... But now it has found its way onto her blog as well. Inge's expat blog is called Pure Cottongrass (see listing here)
One of the lovely streets of Bakklandet.
Where are you originally from?
From the small, but cosy, Netherlands.
In which country and city are you living now?
I am currently living in the beautiful city of Trondheim, Norway.
How long have you lived in Norway and how long are you planning to stay?
I have now lived here for two months and am staying for at least four more months. But I am considering coming back for a longer time in a years time.
On a sunny day, doesn't the city just look like something out of a fairytale?Why did you move to Norway and what do you do?
I moved here for my studies at university. As I have dreamed of moving to Trondheim since I was about fifteen or sixteen years old, going here as part of my studies was a very easy choice. Right now I am taking courses at the university, spend some time at a local horse stable and just enjoy the nature and culture.
Did you bring family with you?
No, that has to be one of the only things that I miss from the Netherlands.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
Making the change was surprisingly easy. It might help that Norway is not that different from the Netherlands, I mean that it is not a completely different culture, there are a lot of differences of course. What also helped what that I have had some time (say years) to prepare, so that I kind of knew where I was going. Doing research is not the same as actually living here, but it helps to make the change easier. And well, so far, life here has just been amazing.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
In the beginning it was quite hard to make friends with actual Norwegians. As an international student, you are quickly thrown together with all the other internationals at the university. But with some effort, I am starting to make some Norwegian friends now as well. Being at the horse stable has definitely helped in that, as well as actively trying to interact with people other than expats. And for the rest is it also a matter of time, I think.
The centre of the city with the cathedral, and the mountains so close to it, I think that is just amazing.What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
Well, there is so much to see and do here! If you are into the outdoors, Norway is the place to be of course. All the beautiful nature here in the area is amazing. As for things in the city, the first thing I recommend you to do is join the library, it is a really nice place and they have an amazing collection of books. And you will have to spend some time walking around bakklandet. That is a lovely area with small wooden houses and lots of little galleries and cafes. Oh, and I also recommend to visit the fort in the eastern part of town. It gives a beautiful view over the city and is the perfect place to sit and relax for a while.
What do you enjoy most about living in Norway?
That is a very difficult question. I think it is mostly the relaxed attitude of the people, the sportiness and the appreciation of the outdoors. And the amazing views of the mountains of course!
How does the cost of living in Norway compare to home?
There is no denying it, Norway is just a very, very expensive country. I spend about three to four times as much on groceries here as I did in the Netherlands, so that should say enough.
It's not all snow and cold, even in February there are some sunny, warmer days.What negatives, if any, are there to living in Norway?
Well, the costs. And it might feel a bit lonely sometimes, as Norwegians tend to keep to themselves quite a lot.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to Norway, what would it be?
Be prepared to change up your normal eating habits a bit. Fish and frozen fruits and veggies might become your new heroes. And knackebrød of course!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
I think being away from my best friends and family has been the hardest. However nice life is here, they are not really a part of it, and that is not always easy.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I don't really know, to be honest. Since I will not have been gone that long, it should be ok. I will at least be very happy to eat proper Dutch cheese again. But I think I might miss the space and peacefulness of Norway quite a bit.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
My blog, Pure Cottongrass, is mostly a blog about nature and the green in our everyday lives. But since moving to Trondheim, quite some nordic influences have found their way onto the blog, as well as some full feature posts. I love to find the small bits of nature in all aspects of life, and Trondheim gives just so many opportunities for that!
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
If you want to know more, you are always welcome to contact me through the contact form on my blog. I would be more than happy to provide information to someone who is considering moving here.
Inge is a Dutch expat living in Norway. Blog description: A blog about the beauty of nature all about us. And since moving to Trondheim, Norway, I also frequently write about my experiences with Norwegian culture.
One of the lovely streets of Bakklandet.
Here's the interview with Inge...
Where are you originally from?
From the small, but cosy, Netherlands.
In which country and city are you living now?
I am currently living in the beautiful city of Trondheim, Norway.
How long have you lived in Norway and how long are you planning to stay?
I have now lived here for two months and am staying for at least four more months. But I am considering coming back for a longer time in a years time.
On a sunny day, doesn't the city just look like something out of a fairytale?
I moved here for my studies at university. As I have dreamed of moving to Trondheim since I was about fifteen or sixteen years old, going here as part of my studies was a very easy choice. Right now I am taking courses at the university, spend some time at a local horse stable and just enjoy the nature and culture.
Did you bring family with you?
No, that has to be one of the only things that I miss from the Netherlands.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
Making the change was surprisingly easy. It might help that Norway is not that different from the Netherlands, I mean that it is not a completely different culture, there are a lot of differences of course. What also helped what that I have had some time (say years) to prepare, so that I kind of knew where I was going. Doing research is not the same as actually living here, but it helps to make the change easier. And well, so far, life here has just been amazing.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
In the beginning it was quite hard to make friends with actual Norwegians. As an international student, you are quickly thrown together with all the other internationals at the university. But with some effort, I am starting to make some Norwegian friends now as well. Being at the horse stable has definitely helped in that, as well as actively trying to interact with people other than expats. And for the rest is it also a matter of time, I think.
The centre of the city with the cathedral, and the mountains so close to it, I think that is just amazing.
Well, there is so much to see and do here! If you are into the outdoors, Norway is the place to be of course. All the beautiful nature here in the area is amazing. As for things in the city, the first thing I recommend you to do is join the library, it is a really nice place and they have an amazing collection of books. And you will have to spend some time walking around bakklandet. That is a lovely area with small wooden houses and lots of little galleries and cafes. Oh, and I also recommend to visit the fort in the eastern part of town. It gives a beautiful view over the city and is the perfect place to sit and relax for a while.
What do you enjoy most about living in Norway?
That is a very difficult question. I think it is mostly the relaxed attitude of the people, the sportiness and the appreciation of the outdoors. And the amazing views of the mountains of course!
How does the cost of living in Norway compare to home?
There is no denying it, Norway is just a very, very expensive country. I spend about three to four times as much on groceries here as I did in the Netherlands, so that should say enough.
It's not all snow and cold, even in February there are some sunny, warmer days.
Well, the costs. And it might feel a bit lonely sometimes, as Norwegians tend to keep to themselves quite a lot.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to Norway, what would it be?
Be prepared to change up your normal eating habits a bit. Fish and frozen fruits and veggies might become your new heroes. And knackebrød of course!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
I think being away from my best friends and family has been the hardest. However nice life is here, they are not really a part of it, and that is not always easy.
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I don't really know, to be honest. Since I will not have been gone that long, it should be ok. I will at least be very happy to eat proper Dutch cheese again. But I think I might miss the space and peacefulness of Norway quite a bit.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
- Take your hiking boots and a proper rain- and wind proof jacket with you.
- As I mentioned before, revise your eating habits.
- Go out when the weather is nice and there is sun. Especially during the short days of winter, try to catch as much sunlight as you can.
- Don't compare prices here with the prices in your home country. It is expensive here, there is no way around it. Just start thinking in kroner and it will not seem as painful.
- Get a bus card. The bus system in Trondheim is really good and can get you anywhere you want really quickly.
My blog, Pure Cottongrass, is mostly a blog about nature and the green in our everyday lives. But since moving to Trondheim, quite some nordic influences have found their way onto the blog, as well as some full feature posts. I love to find the small bits of nature in all aspects of life, and Trondheim gives just so many opportunities for that!
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
If you want to know more, you are always welcome to contact me through the contact form on my blog. I would be more than happy to provide information to someone who is considering moving here.
About the author
Inge is a Dutch expat living in Norway. Blog description: A blog about the beauty of nature all about us. And since moving to Trondheim, Norway, I also frequently write about my experiences with Norwegian culture.
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