About kabjen13

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

Sweden

Netherlands

Advice for New Expats

Be quiet and listen. Observe every nuance and gesture. Read all that you can about the place. Learn some basic language skills before you move there. Make contacts. Network. Be prepared to experience some culture shock. It will happen, no matter how well you think you know a place. Get the tourist stuff over with. You're not a tourist anymore, you're about to become a local.

Education:

Växjö Universitet
  1995 to 1995

George Mason University
  1993 to 1996

Roosevelt University
  2008 to 2011

Favorite Cuisine:

Indian

Favorite Museum:

Tate Modern

Favorite Movie:

Mitt Liv Som Hund

Favorite Book:

Infidel

Favorite Sports Team:

Glasgow Rangers FC

Some Forum Posts:

Norway: moving to Norway:

Wow. Just wow. I have been reading this forum for over 30 minutes, since its first post over three years ago. It has been both depressing and encouraging all at once. I am American and have only visited Norway, but I absolutely fell in love with it when I was there, especially Bergen. I previously lived in Sweden and am proficient in Swedish. I am grateful that Norwegian is so similar because when I start my Norwegian classes, I think I'll do pretty well. Yes, I am moving to Norway. I have an M.S. in marketing communication and have already made a few job contacts there. But the main reason I am moving to Norway is because I have fallen in love with a Norwegian man. He's a talented artist and musician and he is, by no means, a "typical Norwegian" in his behaviour and actions. Then again, I am not a "typical American", either. The fact that I can fully marry someone of the same gender as me, without any "civil union" this or that or only being available in certain areas speaks volumes to me about Norway. His family have embraced me as one of their own, as well as his friends. Hardly cold or distant, is it? But then again, I am not one who needs to be noticed or complimented all the time (unlike so many Americans); although his mother told him in front of me once how lucky he is to have me. And I am lucky to have him. He and his family are also going out of their way to make sure my transition there will go as smoothly as possible. They are wonderful people. I am nervous about moving, as anyone would be when embarking on a new life in only slightly familiar territory. My initial worries are money, job security and getting by without Norwegian language fluency for a while. But that's normal, right? I know no place is perfect but I feel a very strong connection to Norway, like it is finally the "home" I belong in. In all honesty, despite the woes of money, high taxes and changing my life around, I welcome the chance to leave the U.S. (and Chicago, after 12 years here). And so what if Norway isn't as "multicultural" or "diverse" as other places. I don't give a damn. In fact, I welcome less diversity now. I've had it up to my ears with all of this propaganda pushed down our throats by politics and self-righteous people here. As one co-worker of mine put it when discussing this with him, "It's better to only deal with one or two types of a**holes, than fifty". I look forward to my new life in Norway with my fiancé. I know there will be obstacles and issues, but knowing that you are where you're supposed to be helps you overcome a lot of problems and fears. Tusen takk.

Date Joined:

7/10/2011

Total Posts:

7

Posts/Day:

0.00