Category: Cultural Insights
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Norwegian Skiing Terminology Explained
They say Norwegians are born on skis. And honestly, after living here for a few years, I believe it. Even Norwegians who say ”oh no, I don’t really ski” will outrun any foreigner who dares to consider themselves an intermediate cross-country skier. What Does “Going Skiing” Actually Mean? In the Netherlands (and much of Western…
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Blogpost På Norsk; De Rare Nederlandere
I am currently enrolled in a B2 Norwegian course. And now I have to put what I’m learning into practice. So here it goes, a blogpost in Norwegian explaining some of the stranger Dutch habits, at least, from a Norwegian perspective that is.
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Live music in Stavanger: Where to find it
I’ve been looking around for bars with live music. It’s challenging to locate these spots when you are not ‘in the scene’. These small live acts will often be published only as a Facebook message, if published at all, and the rest is typically spread by word of mouth. I can’t be the only one…
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Vacation and Productivity: Lessons from Marrakech
Introduction We’re waiting for the train to Gardermoen Airport. The Oslo sky is autumn blue, warm enough for just a light wool jumper. I can’t quite believe that this afternoon we’ll be in 30-degree heat in the bustling medina of Marrakech. I’m mentally reviewing my packing list, but not the usual holiday checklist. I’m thinking…
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Book Review: The Paradox of Svalbard
After spending seven weeks on Svalbard, I thought I had a good understanding of what life was like in Longyearbyen. I’d experienced the midnight sun, navigated the rules about polar bear safety, and observed the unique dynamics of this remote Arctic community. But it wasn’t until I read The Paradox of Svalbard by Zdenka Sokolíčková…
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1000 Days of Norwegian On Duolingo; The Strangest Sentences
Duolingo is known for its somewhat strange sentences. Scentences that make you question, when will I ever use this? Because they are so strange, you do tend to remember them. But then again, will you ever use them? questions questions… Here are the eight strangest sentences I’ve encountered or found on the web during my…
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Why Results Matter More Than Degrees in 2025 Job Applications
Here’s an uncomfortable truth about today’s job market: your degree is worth less than it was a decade ago. Look at the numbers. In Ireland, 63.9% of 25-29 year-olds hold tertiary education. In Luxembourg, it’s 61.1%. France sits at 54.3%, while the Netherlands and Cyprus both exceed 55%. Across the Euro area, we’re looking at…
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Test Your Norwegian! Similar Sayings in Norwegian and Dutch
It has been fun learning Norwegian. Sayings I think are especially fun, and there are plenty of similarities between Norwegian and Dutch in that respect. Here are some of my favourites. Do you know the meaning?
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Is Scandinavia Becoming a More Popular Vacation Destination?
As a longtime fan of all things Scandinavian, I’ve noticed that Scandinavia seems to be becoming a more popular holiday destination. I’ve read articles about people escaping the heatwaves of southern Europe during the summer and choosing the colder Scandinavian ski resorts over the poor snow conditions found in the Alps. However, I do wonder…
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Staying Productive and Inspired in Norway’s Autumn Blues
November is probably the worst time to visit the Norwegian West Coast. It gets dark early, there isn’t any snow yet, and when the sun finally rises, it will be hidden behind clouds. Here are the things I do to stay productive and motivated. Planning aheadAutumn isn’t very inspiring and motivating, but it is good…
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Food and Drink I Miss About the Netherlands (And Always Bring Back to Norway)
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of Norwegian products I like. But there are also quite a few things that I miss from the Netherlands. Here are the five things that I will try to stuff in my suitcase or carboot when travelling back. 1. Cheese 2. Dutch Pilsner and Craft Beer 4.…
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Four things I learned about Svalbard
This week I arrived in Svalbard. What a stunning landscape, the mountains are much higher and steeper than I imagined. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a window seat when flying in, but judging from the pictures the other passengers were taking, I highly recommend paying extra for the window seat. The plane comes in low between…
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My Climbing Journey
It doesn’t get any better than this. The weather is a perfect 20 degrees with beautiful sunshine, a slight breeze, and spectacular views. I’ve just completed my first two pitches and set up a ‘standplass’ (belay station). Right then, I get a notification on my phone reminding me it’s time to be real. The timing…
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Sauna Sessions
Introduction Ever since I moved to Norway, the sauna has become a big part of my life. It’s more than just relaxing. More and more research shows that saunaing has many health benefits, from increased hypertrophy to preventing dementia (Reeder et al., 2023, Laukkanen et al., 2018) The Right Way to Sauna Every time I’m…
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Risk Compensation and Studded Tires in Norway; Are Studded Tires Actually Safer?
In this article, we will delve into the safety and behavior aspects related to driving with or without studded tires in winter conditions in Norway. We will pursue the question of whether drivers take more risk when using studded tires. A theory referred to as ‘Risk compensation’. The question we will try to answer is:…
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Working from home as a young professional, what are the upsides and downsides compared to senior employees?
Working from home has become increasingly common in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. While there are many benefits to working from home for both employers and employees, it can be especially challenging for younger professionals. In this blog post, I will explore the pros and cons of working from…
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Are individualistic societies happier than collectivist societies?
Individualistic societies often have a negative connotation in the public debate (Van Noort 2019, Campton 2020). They are said to be the cause of loneliness because people living in an individualistic society are more concerned with themselves and, therefore, pay less attention to maintaining a close relationship with others. This increased loneliness would make people…
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How to promote ethical consumption among youngsters
What are ethical consumers? Ethical consumers buy products and services that benefit the environment and humanity. They avoid products and services from companies that violate human rights, exploit workers, or pollute the environment (Shaw & Clarke 1999). Therefore, ethical consumption can be seen as a consumption pattern in which the emphasis is on buying sustainable…