Its been a while since I recieved that student denial thingy. Thankfully, it wasnt fatal. Infact I felt so bad about the whole mess that the morning after I woke up thinking, hey, Im still alive. After laughing to myself I decided that I might as well use this annoying endurance to bad events and try something else.
You can quote me on that.
Sheesh.
Well, like the line says, Im not out of the game yet. In fact, I recently got some more work cleaning again. Say what you like but the pay is very good. Best Ive had since I got here infact. Still, while I was collecting the last of my Attests (references) I enquired about work and got a very surprised yesyes yes! (Or jajaja in Norwegian :D).
So, after a long chat with my beloved better half, we decided it might be best to push for "fast" work (permanent) in order to get some stable money. Being unafraid of a decent days work, I finally relented to the idea of cleaning toilets and offices for a living. Besides, with the money I could pay for a lot. Including new norsk books and... my Bergens test! Thats the clinker. My aim, is be finished and eidetic with Stein På Stein, the second in the series of language books, by Christmas. That would leave me until around April to finish with the next set and be ready to try for that scary test that opens up so much to me. Funny thing is, if I pass or fail, I would still be at that point, much better than I am now.
The norsk klubbs continue, on the most recent occasion without me! I am jealous, but proud to be part of such a group. Having friends learning with you makes things nicer.
Ill extend an offer again, if anyone is in the Oslo area who'd like to join in learning Norwegian, send me a bell. (Trans. Send me an email.)
ANyway! Blood! Yes, Twas a few goodly nights ago that, while walking home from work I found an old and very drunk man drenched in his own blood. It seems that he had fallen over trying to get more money out of a minibank (atm) and bashed his head. It was quite an effort to get him sat down and check his pupils for you know what. Thankfully he was fine. Though when another helper phoned an ambulance he got up and began walking away, ungrateful of our help!
Jumping on the night bus, it was then I noticed that my hands were covered in his blood (thankfully he had lots left :D). There is something unnerving when its someone elses.
What a night.
Still, that same night I bumped into other lads from England (most of the time theyre either half norwegian, and/or from the south). Only met one guy from near my home so far, our "accents" confused the hell out of the locals. Heh. Didnt realise I had an accent until I came here.
Anyway, still here, still working, learning, living and stuff.
Thanks for reading and following, I dont deserve you.
More soon! Christmas presents and surviving away from home for Jule.
Rik
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Monday, 1 November 2010
Studen Application denied!!!
Well, if I said that I was totally surprised, I'd be lying. But why? I mean, after all, I did have not one, but three people tell me it would all be fine. One, going so far as to say "you dont require a bergens test for this" in an email.
So much for that idea, but where does that leave me now?
On a final note, anyone living in the Oslo area who would like to get involved with a free friendly group all trying to learn norwegian, drop me a post here. I don't know about you, but I aint paying for another coarse if I can help it.
Thanks again!
Rik.
So much for that idea, but where does that leave me now?
Pessimistically: There are no relevant courses in Univeristy or College that I can take without a passed Bergens test to prove that I am adequate enough to taken them. Also, the only Masters Coarse I would be relevant to really, requires 50 more points to even bother applying.
Optimistically: If I consider that the Bergens test itself is not just a means to an end but a course in its own right, then I should consider myself a student in Norwegian. In a way, once again I must remind myself that the Bergens test or Norwegian as a whole, is the true key to unlock all those doors. SO really, I only have one thing to study on. Simple eh?
At the end of the day, I am lucky to have a loved one with endless generosity, patience of a walking saint and who gives me all the moral and financial support I need. I wont lie, every day I don't pay for everything is a shameful thing, this wasn't the way I was raised after all, but she calls me her little investment. The least I can do is not ruin that for her.
In any case. While I'm rethinking my long term plans (again), I can concentrate my efforts to get to that fluent level of norsk. After all, thats the only real problem, right?
I've nearly got all of my Attests from my old bosses, just one left who seems very evasive. Bear it in mind that to write such a reference is a legal obligation, even if it just says, "he worked this period" they still have to write one. Looks like I may need to be a bit more insistent. Le sigh.
On a final note, anyone living in the Oslo area who would like to get involved with a free friendly group all trying to learn norwegian, drop me a post here. I don't know about you, but I aint paying for another coarse if I can help it.
Thanks again!
Rik.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Student Application handed in!
Okay.
I have finally handed in my application to the University of Oslo. My intent? Is to take enough points to apply for a Master Degree. Heres the thing, traditionally, such coarses can only be taken as part of a whole Degree. This degree isnt available at the moment, not that I could have taken it anyway because one of the requirements is a Bergens test.
Yet I've been told that these single coarses, of which I need 50pts worth, do not require such a thing indivdually because I can speak English. Go fig. Ive had two seperate people tell me this is the case, though in my usual pessimisitc (edit: realistic) mindset, I fully expect to be shafted much later on next year.
Regardless, heres me trying.
In the interim, I'll be trying to move closer to the Bergens test level. More of less, my last level test had me at B1, which as about 3 below Bergens test level. What scares me the most is the requirement to actually understand the Bergen accent!!!!
Crapple.
Still, now Im writing the occasional essay including recently learned words, badgering my eternally patient girlfriend to mark it. Also, klartale, a fantastic website where one can read and hear the latest news in slow and concise Norwegian.
Between these and my aim to finish Stein Pa Stein before Novemeber I think at least the progress continues.
Jobs.
At the moment Im still only working with Samfunnet as security. Not much, but its better than nothing. While Im hoping for more work with the awesomness that is Penelope, this Christmas, one musnt rest on ones laurels or something like that.
This was where I found out about attests. England has references. Norway has references and attests. Attests are testimonials about your working standard from previous employers. Very serious business.
Im still tracking them all down. Theres nothing worse than not being able to do much when your finally in the mood to do so!!
Anyway, had a very wierd cultural day last thursday. Got mistaken for a Turk and got my hands covered in blood. More later!
R
I have finally handed in my application to the University of Oslo. My intent? Is to take enough points to apply for a Master Degree. Heres the thing, traditionally, such coarses can only be taken as part of a whole Degree. This degree isnt available at the moment, not that I could have taken it anyway because one of the requirements is a Bergens test.
Yet I've been told that these single coarses, of which I need 50pts worth, do not require such a thing indivdually because I can speak English. Go fig. Ive had two seperate people tell me this is the case, though in my usual pessimisitc (edit: realistic) mindset, I fully expect to be shafted much later on next year.
Regardless, heres me trying.
In the interim, I'll be trying to move closer to the Bergens test level. More of less, my last level test had me at B1, which as about 3 below Bergens test level. What scares me the most is the requirement to actually understand the Bergen accent!!!!
Crapple.
Still, now Im writing the occasional essay including recently learned words, badgering my eternally patient girlfriend to mark it. Also, klartale, a fantastic website where one can read and hear the latest news in slow and concise Norwegian.
Between these and my aim to finish Stein Pa Stein before Novemeber I think at least the progress continues.
Jobs.
At the moment Im still only working with Samfunnet as security. Not much, but its better than nothing. While Im hoping for more work with the awesomness that is Penelope, this Christmas, one musnt rest on ones laurels or something like that.
This was where I found out about attests. England has references. Norway has references and attests. Attests are testimonials about your working standard from previous employers. Very serious business.
Im still tracking them all down. Theres nothing worse than not being able to do much when your finally in the mood to do so!!
Anyway, had a very wierd cultural day last thursday. Got mistaken for a Turk and got my hands covered in blood. More later!
R
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Walls, hoops and a F#¤)ING big emergency cuppa!
Hi there sports fans.
Ever had a crappy revelation?
Picture this. Today I decided to research the possibility of studying a Masters in English Language with Oslo University. Today I found out that, of coarse, my micky mouse degree in Imaginative Writing didnt count for didly.
Damnation.
In essence, although Im looking into this, I would have to start from scratch with another new Bachelors beforehand. Thats a long time.
Okay, Ill back up a bit.
I decided a week ago, with no small amount of consideration nor sobreity, to become a teacher. No instant thing, I know, but it felt good to have an overall goal, ikke sant?
I had a GCSE and an A level relevant to English Language, and since the Masters in Oslo were in English, I figured that while my Norwegian continued to grow I could do something useful. And of coarse abuse the immensly cheaper Tuition costs here.
Sadly, my lazy past came back to haunt me.
Still, at least in a year or two I can take that Pedagogikk Bachelors, though Ive heard more conflicting opinions about how that works. One camp says I need another Bachelors beforehand, while others say I can combine it with another subject that say I want to teach.
More research pending.
In other news, the Norsk Klubb continues. Infact, after Ive finished this post and scoffed down a certain pizza that is cooking right now, Im off to the next session!
Jobs and work? Well my last day with Penelope was yesturday. I felt somewhat cold afterward. Almost like a good thing had ended, though Ive heard they will more than likely need me come December.
In the meanwhile Im plugging as many days back on the doors as I can without suffering adverse affects such as insomnia, hallucinations and a love of Twilight.
Shudder...
I've had some interviews recently (not been idle, not me!), and Ive discovered the need to scan and prepare both copies of all of my education and documents, but also an "attest" from all of my Norwegian jobs! A bit of digging, but apparently my employers must by law give me an attest (read - written reference). Doesnt have to be anygood, but they do have to give me one! :D
So while I wait for those documents to turn up, while I scan and research, I still can't help but feel like Im not doing anything useful.
Thankfully my girl Ingrid continually reminds me that:
a/ Im being stupid.
Love you baby. X
Lesson from all of this? Get a pen and a piece of paper:
1-Before coming over, scan all of your documentation regarding education.
2-Remember to ask for an attest from previous employers, even current ones.
3-Never give up.
Message ends.
Ever had a crappy revelation?
Picture this. Today I decided to research the possibility of studying a Masters in English Language with Oslo University. Today I found out that, of coarse, my micky mouse degree in Imaginative Writing didnt count for didly.
Damnation.
In essence, although Im looking into this, I would have to start from scratch with another new Bachelors beforehand. Thats a long time.
Okay, Ill back up a bit.
I decided a week ago, with no small amount of consideration nor sobreity, to become a teacher. No instant thing, I know, but it felt good to have an overall goal, ikke sant?
I had a GCSE and an A level relevant to English Language, and since the Masters in Oslo were in English, I figured that while my Norwegian continued to grow I could do something useful. And of coarse abuse the immensly cheaper Tuition costs here.
Sadly, my lazy past came back to haunt me.
Still, at least in a year or two I can take that Pedagogikk Bachelors, though Ive heard more conflicting opinions about how that works. One camp says I need another Bachelors beforehand, while others say I can combine it with another subject that say I want to teach.
More research pending.
In other news, the Norsk Klubb continues. Infact, after Ive finished this post and scoffed down a certain pizza that is cooking right now, Im off to the next session!
Jobs and work? Well my last day with Penelope was yesturday. I felt somewhat cold afterward. Almost like a good thing had ended, though Ive heard they will more than likely need me come December.
In the meanwhile Im plugging as many days back on the doors as I can without suffering adverse affects such as insomnia, hallucinations and a love of Twilight.
Shudder...
I've had some interviews recently (not been idle, not me!), and Ive discovered the need to scan and prepare both copies of all of my education and documents, but also an "attest" from all of my Norwegian jobs! A bit of digging, but apparently my employers must by law give me an attest (read - written reference). Doesnt have to be anygood, but they do have to give me one! :D
So while I wait for those documents to turn up, while I scan and research, I still can't help but feel like Im not doing anything useful.
Thankfully my girl Ingrid continually reminds me that:
a/ Im being stupid.
Love you baby. X
Lesson from all of this? Get a pen and a piece of paper:
1-Before coming over, scan all of your documentation regarding education.
2-Remember to ask for an attest from previous employers, even current ones.
3-Never give up.
Message ends.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
My confession.
I have a confession to make. I really didnt want to write on this BLOG. Its strange really but I have in effect been avoiding it for some time and I think I know why.
Life is boring. Kinda.
People BLOGS are usually crammed with fantastic trips, events, littered with endless photoes of the Bloggers in question having a great time. Well, either I havnt had any of that, or I generally forgot my camera. Or, after all these excuses are spent, they are all normal.
This BLOG, I started nearly a year and a half ago, to detail my adventures in actually getting into another country with nought but myself and my girl friends help. Since then, its been a case of no news is good news right? I do get surprised at how much Norwegian Ive actually learnt. Usually at the expense of someone who say, has been here longer and not learned a thing. The shit kicker is usually that said person has a job anyway because of knowledge of stuff or friends.
I have been lucky.
I have NOT earned a job the hard way. I have not applied for work and won through a interview the work. I have either had it handed to me by very good friends that I have made over here, or simply by being in the right place at the time. I know, I know, same at home anyway.
It just stings is all.
With regards to work I have been lucky in the past, but now, soon actually, I will be jobless again looking without hope but wondering all the same if I shall be lucky again.
Truth is, I have come so far from when I started. I can see this. I have actually had job interviews in Norwegian now. Not very good ones, not very succesful ones, but in Norsk all the same.
Also, my recent stretch with Penelope bokhandel has given me some fantastic experience, a really good reference and best of all, a cadre of very awesome people. I can't tell you enough about the work ethic you find in some of these places, beer tasting and sushi extravaganza's (all free) not withstanding, theyre professional and fun. A rare combination.
Its wierd how when your commuting on the bus or the train, you only ever meet the impolite ones. Namely getting on and off the train is hell during traffic because they people coming the other way barge into you. Sooner or later the English politness goes out the door and you fall back on mosh-pit/rugby/older-brother training and start crushing some folker!
So, I have lots of free time right now, though next week Im working vikar (cover work) back at Penelope the book shop. After wards I got nuthin. Right now, Im going through a rutine (trying my best, I have no dicispline so Im trying to get some) of excercise, tending to that veruca I keep getting from these laminate floors, keeping my eyes peeling for another job on Nav or Finn, painting figures for fun times later this week and most importantly, continuing my own norsk kurs. I recently got together with two friends who are on the same level as me to study through a book called Stein På Stein. Im also reading the Witches in Norwegian, with accompanying sound book. Good fun.
Kinda scary really. Part of me debated fleeing back to England but to my horror I discovered that its worse at home. At least here there is work if you crack the language barrier. Back home it sounds more and more like a third world country. Maybe I could claim asylum here? :B
I had an epipheny also. I decided that my long term goal was to go into teaching. Not entirely impossible. I have a degree in Imaginative Writing (stop laughing at the back please, give the front a turn) amid a host of A levels and GCSE's. Nothing special, but enough to maybe get one of those free/really cheap Masters and when Im ready, a Pedogoggik degree. Maybe teaching English, IT and History? I'd do that here, but not at home. Its disgusting how few rights teachers have in schools. The famous paedo scare of the 90's still haunts us, and puts teachers in a situation where for example, if a child tries to stab another, the teacher can only "get in the way."
Ridiculous.
Anyway, I digress.
Bumped into a really great guy while working the doors at Samfunnet the other day. Forget his name, but he was from CHester. Sounded like an extra from Hollyoaks, but it was good to go full swing with my accent and not be worried about being misunderstood. As it was noone there could make a word out (how do you like it eh!?), but as it is my "scouse" accent isnt actually scouse. I know, but try explaining the concept of villages to most norwegians. Steder (or places i think) are closest they have. Its cold here, huddle up now!
Feels good to finally write something down. Always feels like an Ego trip, and yes I suppose this does feed my self worth somewhat. So sue me. I have followers dammit!
Thanks for reading all. Im still alive.
Rik.
Life is boring. Kinda.
People BLOGS are usually crammed with fantastic trips, events, littered with endless photoes of the Bloggers in question having a great time. Well, either I havnt had any of that, or I generally forgot my camera. Or, after all these excuses are spent, they are all normal.
This BLOG, I started nearly a year and a half ago, to detail my adventures in actually getting into another country with nought but myself and my girl friends help. Since then, its been a case of no news is good news right? I do get surprised at how much Norwegian Ive actually learnt. Usually at the expense of someone who say, has been here longer and not learned a thing. The shit kicker is usually that said person has a job anyway because of knowledge of stuff or friends.
I have been lucky.
I have NOT earned a job the hard way. I have not applied for work and won through a interview the work. I have either had it handed to me by very good friends that I have made over here, or simply by being in the right place at the time. I know, I know, same at home anyway.
It just stings is all.
With regards to work I have been lucky in the past, but now, soon actually, I will be jobless again looking without hope but wondering all the same if I shall be lucky again.
Truth is, I have come so far from when I started. I can see this. I have actually had job interviews in Norwegian now. Not very good ones, not very succesful ones, but in Norsk all the same.
Also, my recent stretch with Penelope bokhandel has given me some fantastic experience, a really good reference and best of all, a cadre of very awesome people. I can't tell you enough about the work ethic you find in some of these places, beer tasting and sushi extravaganza's (all free) not withstanding, theyre professional and fun. A rare combination.
Its wierd how when your commuting on the bus or the train, you only ever meet the impolite ones. Namely getting on and off the train is hell during traffic because they people coming the other way barge into you. Sooner or later the English politness goes out the door and you fall back on mosh-pit/rugby/older-brother training and start crushing some folker!
So, I have lots of free time right now, though next week Im working vikar (cover work) back at Penelope the book shop. After wards I got nuthin. Right now, Im going through a rutine (trying my best, I have no dicispline so Im trying to get some) of excercise, tending to that veruca I keep getting from these laminate floors, keeping my eyes peeling for another job on Nav or Finn, painting figures for fun times later this week and most importantly, continuing my own norsk kurs. I recently got together with two friends who are on the same level as me to study through a book called Stein På Stein. Im also reading the Witches in Norwegian, with accompanying sound book. Good fun.
Kinda scary really. Part of me debated fleeing back to England but to my horror I discovered that its worse at home. At least here there is work if you crack the language barrier. Back home it sounds more and more like a third world country. Maybe I could claim asylum here? :B
I had an epipheny also. I decided that my long term goal was to go into teaching. Not entirely impossible. I have a degree in Imaginative Writing (stop laughing at the back please, give the front a turn) amid a host of A levels and GCSE's. Nothing special, but enough to maybe get one of those free/really cheap Masters and when Im ready, a Pedogoggik degree. Maybe teaching English, IT and History? I'd do that here, but not at home. Its disgusting how few rights teachers have in schools. The famous paedo scare of the 90's still haunts us, and puts teachers in a situation where for example, if a child tries to stab another, the teacher can only "get in the way."
Ridiculous.
Anyway, I digress.
Bumped into a really great guy while working the doors at Samfunnet the other day. Forget his name, but he was from CHester. Sounded like an extra from Hollyoaks, but it was good to go full swing with my accent and not be worried about being misunderstood. As it was noone there could make a word out (how do you like it eh!?), but as it is my "scouse" accent isnt actually scouse. I know, but try explaining the concept of villages to most norwegians. Steder (or places i think) are closest they have. Its cold here, huddle up now!
Feels good to finally write something down. Always feels like an Ego trip, and yes I suppose this does feed my self worth somewhat. So sue me. I have followers dammit!
Thanks for reading all. Im still alive.
Rik.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
A year in. Looking back.
So as I said in the last post. I, have been in Norway for just over a year. A lot of the visitors to this Blog as I have noticed are more interested in how hard it is financially, psychologically etc, then how great a bunnad looks. Fair enough, at the end of the day this is what I intended to do all those long months ago. So:
29th Mai 2009. I came over with one suitcase and a backpack. Both of these items I would be getting very intimate with over the next six months. Why? Well, because when I came over I had no job. I had no real place to live spare in the apartment that girlfriend shared with her friend in Toyen (sorry, cant get Norsk keyboard to work today, Vista's great ain't it?). To give you an idea, heres a qoute from my first ever post:
Lets get this into perspective. I have no friends and family over there (well I didn't), no money making talents, no preset job arrangements and most certainly no language knowledge. SO! Why do it? It could be that my beloved girlfriend is over there and I'm not. It could be that I am so bored with life here that I want a change? Or it could be that I want to at least say I tried to do it. Not many can say they've done that!
Now. When I say suitcase, I mean enough clothes to keep me from being naked for one and a half weeks. With only empty days to myself for the first few months, while my girl was busy working to pay for me. Not ideal, but we both knew what we were getting ourselves in for!
Over the next few months I busied myself with studying norwegian, meeting all of my girl friends friends. While my lady tried her hardest to get a job for me through her "connections" i went about town with a CV and embarrased myself wholesale trying to get work anywhere. I also bothered to try getting help from NAV, the Norwegian job point thingy, only to feel like an unwanted retard. Twice. Thanks guys.
Luck came in the form of a stock take at my Girlfriends place, where I actually managed to use my experience in retail to good form. Then, I got an extra boost of luck when I began working for a friend of the family by "Reporting football matches." I know what youre thinking, but no, it was for a booking website. Still paid. Most of the time.
Eventually, I acquired enough money to afford my first Norwegian Coarse. Now dont let this step fool you, for two weeks worth of "intensive" lessons you too can learn precisly butt kiss of norsk for a humble sum of 4400Kr (Roughly £480). Though the coarse was where I met like minded individuals i.e. immigrants like myself, each with their own hopes and dreams and stories.
Whilst this was going on, during a rather drunken complaint to one of my new Norwegian friends, I managed to acquire another job: working the door. Yeah, I know! But no matter what people tell you, Oslo aint nuthin like Liverpool. Working as security and genral drunk pusher, I worked twice a week from ten til four in the morning, walking home across the city. bearing this was during the Winter and this was before I could ship over some Winter clothes. Let me tell you, you don't know what cold is like until you've walked through Oslo in the Winter mornings.
Life was getting better. Until a surprise fall out with that "family member" caused me to rely more and more on my work at the student pub, which was starting to take its toll.
Taking a step back, I realised that I was missing vital norsk exposure. To that end I began working in a Barnahage voluntarily. The things kids can teach you. Anyone interested in learning more Norwegian or generally builing a CV in Norway, I would recommend volunteering for starters. Its not the expected thing here strangely. But like I said, children are fantastic teachers, patient (or not!), brazen and eager to impress by teaching you something.
A few weeks later, taking a tip of a "immigrant" friend, I was told about a Barnahage that was advertising for a job or two and I went for it. Got an interview and becuase of my lack of experience, aquired a "vikar" work. Vikar is essentially half way between a zero hour contract and part time. Unfortunatly the job was primarily English spoken and the whole afair lacked something which I needed. That, and consistant money!
As me and my girl were planning to move into our own place, we were stuck living at her parents house. We had said goodbye to Toyen, compacted all of our belongings (easier for me) and moved into a small room somewhere in Frogner. Life got hard while we pursued one flat after another until we got a lucky break, which we did have to wait longer for. Finally we said our thank yous and moved in. Making sure that it was a flat that my girl friend could afford herself, I was happy to actually let myself relax. Life was finally taking a sold turn. After six or seven months of room sharing? Who could blame me?
It was around this time that luck struck again. An old contact that I had enquired about work with came out of the blue, a few months later, asking if I wanted work. It was a part time job, just cleaning. It paid consistantly and although it was thankless labour it paid ok.
Finally earning, I made the call to ship all of my belongings from England. Total cost for 14 boxes? 4000Kr. Make sure youre ready and set before you do this. Only when you are sure do you burn your boats Cortez style.
What was I complaining about!? It was work! If someone in England had offered me this type of opportunity I would have flied the birdy, but here? It was progress, and that never happens fast enough.
The cleaning job panned out, very pleasent people, all with stories. Then a cruve ball occured, barley two months ago now. A friend of mine asked me if I could work in a book store, nigh on 100% Norwegian.
I said: Sure, why not?
It wasnt as permanent as the cleaning job. It might not even pay as much. So why did I take it? Answer? Long term thinking. I wasnt in Norway to get money. I was here to grow. To learn. I downgraded my cleaning job to vikar, and accepted her offer.
Like I said. Depseration is key.
:)
So:
Lets get this into perspective. I have no friends and family over there (well I didn't), no money making talents, no preset job arrangements and most certainly no language knowledge. SO! Why do it? It could be that my beloved girlfriend is over there and I'm not. It could be that I am so bored with life here that I want a change? Or it could be that I want to at least say I tried to do it. Not many can say they've done that!
Friends? Check. Through them came many fun times and jobs! How to get em? Be sociable. Accept all invitations where possible. Find a friend from your country? Stick together, endure the nordy madness.
Family? You would be surprised how quickly you can be "adopted" into another family, abroad. I like to think that I have my family, and my other families.
Job arrangements? If I have proven anything, its that not giving up and making opportunities (not to mention taking them) is key and if you try long enough, success is assured.
Language knowledge? I am proud to say that as of this month I have officially attained: Godd bad Norwegian level. Huzzaa! You get to a certain point? Unless you openly refuse to speak norsk, you will pick up words as you go. Nuthin to do with intellect, all you need is right in your head.
Why did I do it? I honestly cant think of a single reason not to. Remember, you can always start again, or try something else. Be the one that tried. Better yet, be the one that succeeded.
Thanks to all that follow me and this hurried little Blog. In no small part, your support and kind words have kept me sane in darker months.
29th Mai 2009. I came over with one suitcase and a backpack. Both of these items I would be getting very intimate with over the next six months. Why? Well, because when I came over I had no job. I had no real place to live spare in the apartment that girlfriend shared with her friend in Toyen (sorry, cant get Norsk keyboard to work today, Vista's great ain't it?). To give you an idea, heres a qoute from my first ever post:
Lets get this into perspective. I have no friends and family over there (well I didn't), no money making talents, no preset job arrangements and most certainly no language knowledge. SO! Why do it? It could be that my beloved girlfriend is over there and I'm not. It could be that I am so bored with life here that I want a change? Or it could be that I want to at least say I tried to do it. Not many can say they've done that!
Now. When I say suitcase, I mean enough clothes to keep me from being naked for one and a half weeks. With only empty days to myself for the first few months, while my girl was busy working to pay for me. Not ideal, but we both knew what we were getting ourselves in for!
Over the next few months I busied myself with studying norwegian, meeting all of my girl friends friends. While my lady tried her hardest to get a job for me through her "connections" i went about town with a CV and embarrased myself wholesale trying to get work anywhere. I also bothered to try getting help from NAV, the Norwegian job point thingy, only to feel like an unwanted retard. Twice. Thanks guys.
Luck came in the form of a stock take at my Girlfriends place, where I actually managed to use my experience in retail to good form. Then, I got an extra boost of luck when I began working for a friend of the family by "Reporting football matches." I know what youre thinking, but no, it was for a booking website. Still paid. Most of the time.
Eventually, I acquired enough money to afford my first Norwegian Coarse. Now dont let this step fool you, for two weeks worth of "intensive" lessons you too can learn precisly butt kiss of norsk for a humble sum of 4400Kr (Roughly £480). Though the coarse was where I met like minded individuals i.e. immigrants like myself, each with their own hopes and dreams and stories.
Whilst this was going on, during a rather drunken complaint to one of my new Norwegian friends, I managed to acquire another job: working the door. Yeah, I know! But no matter what people tell you, Oslo aint nuthin like Liverpool. Working as security and genral drunk pusher, I worked twice a week from ten til four in the morning, walking home across the city. bearing this was during the Winter and this was before I could ship over some Winter clothes. Let me tell you, you don't know what cold is like until you've walked through Oslo in the Winter mornings.
>_<
Life was getting better. Until a surprise fall out with that "family member" caused me to rely more and more on my work at the student pub, which was starting to take its toll.
Taking a step back, I realised that I was missing vital norsk exposure. To that end I began working in a Barnahage voluntarily. The things kids can teach you. Anyone interested in learning more Norwegian or generally builing a CV in Norway, I would recommend volunteering for starters. Its not the expected thing here strangely. But like I said, children are fantastic teachers, patient (or not!), brazen and eager to impress by teaching you something.
A few weeks later, taking a tip of a "immigrant" friend, I was told about a Barnahage that was advertising for a job or two and I went for it. Got an interview and becuase of my lack of experience, aquired a "vikar" work. Vikar is essentially half way between a zero hour contract and part time. Unfortunatly the job was primarily English spoken and the whole afair lacked something which I needed. That, and consistant money!
As me and my girl were planning to move into our own place, we were stuck living at her parents house. We had said goodbye to Toyen, compacted all of our belongings (easier for me) and moved into a small room somewhere in Frogner. Life got hard while we pursued one flat after another until we got a lucky break, which we did have to wait longer for. Finally we said our thank yous and moved in. Making sure that it was a flat that my girl friend could afford herself, I was happy to actually let myself relax. Life was finally taking a sold turn. After six or seven months of room sharing? Who could blame me?
It was around this time that luck struck again. An old contact that I had enquired about work with came out of the blue, a few months later, asking if I wanted work. It was a part time job, just cleaning. It paid consistantly and although it was thankless labour it paid ok.
Finally earning, I made the call to ship all of my belongings from England. Total cost for 14 boxes? 4000Kr. Make sure youre ready and set before you do this. Only when you are sure do you burn your boats Cortez style.
What was I complaining about!? It was work! If someone in England had offered me this type of opportunity I would have flied the birdy, but here? It was progress, and that never happens fast enough.
The cleaning job panned out, very pleasent people, all with stories. Then a cruve ball occured, barley two months ago now. A friend of mine asked me if I could work in a book store, nigh on 100% Norwegian.
I said: Sure, why not?
It wasnt as permanent as the cleaning job. It might not even pay as much. So why did I take it? Answer? Long term thinking. I wasnt in Norway to get money. I was here to grow. To learn. I downgraded my cleaning job to vikar, and accepted her offer.
Like I said. Depseration is key.
:)
So:
Lets get this into perspective. I have no friends and family over there (well I didn't), no money making talents, no preset job arrangements and most certainly no language knowledge. SO! Why do it? It could be that my beloved girlfriend is over there and I'm not. It could be that I am so bored with life here that I want a change? Or it could be that I want to at least say I tried to do it. Not many can say they've done that!
Friends? Check. Through them came many fun times and jobs! How to get em? Be sociable. Accept all invitations where possible. Find a friend from your country? Stick together, endure the nordy madness.
Family? You would be surprised how quickly you can be "adopted" into another family, abroad. I like to think that I have my family, and my other families.
Job arrangements? If I have proven anything, its that not giving up and making opportunities (not to mention taking them) is key and if you try long enough, success is assured.
Language knowledge? I am proud to say that as of this month I have officially attained: Godd bad Norwegian level. Huzzaa! You get to a certain point? Unless you openly refuse to speak norsk, you will pick up words as you go. Nuthin to do with intellect, all you need is right in your head.
Why did I do it? I honestly cant think of a single reason not to. Remember, you can always start again, or try something else. Be the one that tried. Better yet, be the one that succeeded.
Thanks to all that follow me and this hurried little Blog. In no small part, your support and kind words have kept me sane in darker months.
Monday, 31 May 2010
One Year Anniversairy
A rather strange day occurred recently when I realized to my horror that I had in fact been in Norway for exactly a year last Saturday. Desperate to make a deal about it, I tried to arrange a celebration, maybe even start a little something for all of my other "invanderer" friends. As it happens, sodding Eurovision was on the same day.
(As an aside, have to say, Pete Waterman needs shooting for that travesty of music, and lets be honest, did anyone else notice that the English "dancers" were all drunk during the show part of the night? So embarrassing.)
Anyway, just as I was prepared to settle in for a night of eurotrash, my good friends surprised me with a gift an a hug, congratulating me for a job well done. Interestingly enough, those good friends will have been here a year in July sometime, so maybe a tradition can start for this? If I could coin it, I call it Invaders day, celebrating one year as an Invader, or immigrant if you like. :)
Anyway, for this years Anniversairy (a word I always struggle to spell) Ive decided to write up something of an appraisal. Maybe look back at past posts, events and memories and maybe go through the steps and travails I took to get this far. If I read it tonight, I should be able to write something up tomorrow.
Until then. If youre reading this and you yourself are an Immigrant in Norway, ask yourself, when is your Invaders day?
Rik
(As an aside, have to say, Pete Waterman needs shooting for that travesty of music, and lets be honest, did anyone else notice that the English "dancers" were all drunk during the show part of the night? So embarrassing.)
Anyway, just as I was prepared to settle in for a night of eurotrash, my good friends surprised me with a gift an a hug, congratulating me for a job well done. Interestingly enough, those good friends will have been here a year in July sometime, so maybe a tradition can start for this? If I could coin it, I call it Invaders day, celebrating one year as an Invader, or immigrant if you like. :)
Anyway, for this years Anniversairy (a word I always struggle to spell) Ive decided to write up something of an appraisal. Maybe look back at past posts, events and memories and maybe go through the steps and travails I took to get this far. If I read it tonight, I should be able to write something up tomorrow.
Until then. If youre reading this and you yourself are an Immigrant in Norway, ask yourself, when is your Invaders day?
Rik
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