Just about exactly one year ago, I wrote a post titled I Choose Travel. At the time, I was enrolled in a master’s program at Aarhus University in Denmark, which was due to start in a couple of weeks. But I had just realized that I had chosen to study for all of the wrong reasons, so I withdrew and decided to spend the next year, well, essentially seeing where it lead me.
Now, this past year hasn’t taken me on quite as extreme adventures as the previous year, which found me hitchhiking along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, backpacking solo through Iran, and, every parent’s favorite, sneaking into Europe’s marijuana growing capital in Albania. But that’s not to say I didn’t have my fair share of adventures this time around.
It took me on an adventure through 27 countries with my favorite partner in crime. That’s 27 countries I wouldn’t have visited had I instead chosen to study. As for that partner, I think my exact words to Dan last August when discussing the prospect of my moving to Denmark were “Our paths might cross again!” – a flippancy that now makes me cringe to think about.
It’s amazing how much can change in a year, and how huge an impact a single choice can have on your life. It’s daunting enough to make me never want to make any decisions ever again. Except that’s exactly what I’ve done.
I’ve chosen Norway.
Okay, that’s not exactly news at this point. But what I haven’t really explained yet is why I decided moving to Norway was right for me.
The dream for so many travel loving folks – especially the kind with travel blogs – is to find a way to become location independent, and I think I sort of figured out how to do that last year. But I also figured out that that’s not actually my dream at all. In fact, I think a huge drive behind my travels has actually always been to find a place to stop. I guess I’m picky, because choosing a place to call home took me a really long time.
But I was tired of being an eternal outsider, of my friend groups consisting of other fickle nomads who were always up and leaving, and of being tied to inexpensive countries where I always had a bit of nagging guilt that I was using the place for its cheap food and accommodation.
Dan was feeling the same, so we decided to move back to Europe. I think originally one of the reasons I had justified not studying in Denmark was that it would make more sense to study in Norway, where as a Norwegian citizen I would get funding from the government to study. But after I remembered that actually I always hated school and studying we still kept the idea of going to Norway.
Practically it made sense, because I already have Norwegian citizenship and speak some Norwegian, and as an EU citizen Dan can live here as long as he gets a job in 6 months, plus Norwegian is one of the easiest languages in the world for English speakers to learn. Seriously, it’s practically grammar-free. (The only challenge is getting Norwegians to stop just speaking to you in English.)
But practical reasons aside…
I love how few people there are here – Norway is enormous but only has 5 million people. I love that the national news stations will cover barely newsworthy stories like how local cows changed their feed, and that news of a car crash will prompt long discussions in local media about vehicle safety. It’s such a change from the news in the U.S., which always seems to leave me curled up in fetal position wondering how on earth we’re all going to survive.
And I love how beautiful Norway is. The sad fact about travel is that it’s made me much harder to impress, and I do love to be impressed, so I really don’t have any other choice but to move to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
But even more than its beauty, I love Norwegians’ appreciation for their country’s beauty. It’s a country of nature lovers. People do complain that Norwegians are are cold and reserved but, um, that’s what people say about me! My people!
I also love that Norwegian politics don’t make me want to pull my hair out.
I love that my addiction to tinned fish won’t be considered weird here.
I love that people are allowed to camp wherever they want in Norway, as long as it’s 150 meters from the nearest house or cabin.
Even though the thought of meeting one terrifies me, I love there are trolls here.
I love fjords.
I love cross-country skiing.
I love that sometimes I’ll be able to see the Northern Lights!
And I’ve come to terms with the fact that my hair will probably be considered dark blonde here.
Yes, it’s going to be cold and dark for a huge chunk of the year here, but that’s why Norwegians travel! Norwegians are huge travelers and I’m excited to join in on that, especially as after the super high prices here everywhere else in the world is going to seem like such a bargain. Plus, I’ve moved to a city with an airport!
Dan and I chose Trondheim sort of randomly. I wanted to see more of northern Norway without actually living in the Arctic, and I also liked that Trondheim is on the coast but still gets lots of snow in the winter. With 200,000 inhabitants Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city, which seems like a good size. Plus it’s a university city, which I hope means that there are a lot of fun things to do in Trondheim, and maybe even some diversity! And it supposedly has a big music scene, so I’m crossing my fingers that Dan can find a Scandinavian funk band to join. Do those exist?
But most importantly, Trondheim is super pretty. As in, I left my apartment for ten minutes to quickly take some pictures to show you guys, and this is what I saw:
Now, I know there are many things about Norway and Norwegian culture that will drive me absolutely mad, but I’m moving here with an open heart, because it would just be so cool to live somewhere I truly loved. The United States was never that place for me, Thailand and Japan didn’t quite do it for me either, but maybe this time? I guess first I’ll have to find a job.
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Kathy says
Hello, Silvia! I just discovered your blog and love it. My great-grandparents on both my mother’s and father’s side came from the Trondheim area. I love Norway and love traveling. I saw your picture of the gers and immediately thought it must be Mongolia…and it was! We lived in Irkutsk, Russia, for a couple years (yes, Siberia) and visited Mongolia several times. Such a beautiful country. I look forward to reading more of your amazing posts!
Nick says
Damn I’d love to live in Norway. However as much as I know it’s either you have master degree at something or experience in trades. And neither have I one nor another 😀 But maybe in future….
Ingrid Knutson says
Hi Silvia,
I happened upon your blog via the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco on Facebook, and I’m so glad I did! I have very strong Norwegian heritage and I lived in Bergen from 2005-2009 for grad school (marine biology). I feel like you do such a great job of capturing how easy it is to fall in love with Norway, and all the Norway-isms that are so awesome. All of my friends were Norwegian and they were some of the best I’ve ever had! I wish I had been able to stay longer but without a permanent job, I had to move back to the U.S. Too bad I’m not an EU citizen or have dual Norwegian-American citizenship! I’ve also moved around a lot in my life (not quite as much as you, but Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, Baja Mexico, Norway, Texas, and now California) and I understand that feeling of wanting to find someplace to stay. It’s been 5 years since I was back in Norway and it’s definitely been too long! So happy that Norwegian Air has started these super cheap flights, hopefully I’ll get back there within the next couple of years.
~Ingrid
Sabuj Maity says
Hi Silvia,
I am amazed after reading your blog..Travelling can give someone the pleasure which is not compared with anything in the world, what say? I intend to travel some places in future but NORWAY will be my first choice(I am excited after reading your blog).Also the glorious northern light is my dream to see once in my lifetime.However I forgot to introduce myself..Hi This is Sabuj Maity from Kolkata(City of Joy),India.I am an entrepreneur.We have an IT company based in Kolkata,India.Me and my girlfriend Debaleena(nick name Sandra) wish to come to Norway to witness the beauty of the nature(as I heard its really amazing there).I wish when we will come I will join you and your partner Dan,so you can guide us.
Please continue your blog as all are really interesting( I read how you save 44,000$ for travelling )..One day I also want to start my blog about our(Me and Debaleena) travelling experiences..
Thanks
Rita says
I moved from Utah to Trondheim in April, because I grew up in Trondheim and had an opportunity to move back. I agree with you that it is a beautiful town. I especially like it now that it is covered in tons of snow.
Good luck on your job hunt. I found out today that I got a job, and I have applied to 15-20 jobs since April, and got my job in Trondheim today. Super excited, because I feel that will really make me feel re-integrated back into the Norwegian society. I found my job through Finn.no, and it was a slow process, but so worth the wait. Good luck to you.
Silvia says
Wow, congratulations, you must be SO happy to have found a job! I actually moved down to Rauland on a job offer, but I think I will likely return to Trondheim eventually. It really is so pretty!
Elena says
Oh my goodness we loved Norway too! It was so amazingly beautiful! We really enjoyed how dog-friendly it was as well. The “coldness” (I don’t really think so) of the Norwegians was easily broken by my dog, Alfie. They sure love dogs!
What a fit country too. I was quite impressed. We stayed near Trondheim as well, and it’s a great city! Did you go to the Dromedar Kaffebar by any chance? They had this amazing spicy mocha… Oh and I miss all the cheese and fish. Yummy.
I would love to call it home someday, though I’m not an EU citizen unfortunately. What a great country.
Silvia says
Norwegians DO really love dogs! I haven’t been to the Dromedar Kaffebar, but it sounds like I need to go!
Elena says
You should! They have great tea as well. It’s on the expensive side, but it’s soooo good that it’s worth it for a treat. 🙂
Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate says
Ahhhh I did a master’s program in Aarhus, too!
And if I were European (and thus had access to an EU passport), I can totally see myself choosing Norway =)
Silvia says
No way! I could have been following in your footsteps, sigh.
Debra Holloway says
Fantastic honest post! Keep posting! I love Norway, too. My sister moved to Norway last year. She is still adapting. But she is glad that she has made this choice. I hope you don`t regret, too. Best regards!
Silvia says
That’s wonderful that your sister is happy with her choice! I’m also feeling good about life here 🙂
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
Wow, what a year you had, Silvia, 27 countries, that’s enormous! You experienced so much more than if you would have chosen to study in Aarhus. I bet Norway is quiet a contrast to the many countries you have visited, but I can totally understand your wish to finally settle down somewhere and Trondheim looks super-pretty! I am curious to find out what life in Norway holds for you.
http://travellingcolognian.com/2015/08/17/one-day-in-kanchanaburi/
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
I love! love! love! this post.
I like the fact that you come out and say that you love and appreciate your ancestral countr, and the fact that you know what’s best for you and the life that you want to live. Oh, and your posts are fab!
I’m a Northern British person living in Germany and I’m fascinated by the Nordic States because of their classic beauty and their raw wild state, and the fact that it’s peaceful, quiet and serene as well as being as colourful and adventurous as they come. Northern Europe is fabulous and Trondheim looks so pretty!
A fellow Brit once asked me where I would choose if given a choice of a summer paradise or a winter wonderland.
I chose the winter wonderland.
p.s. I choose the cold LOL!