Asylum Seekers' Camp, Norwegian Language Class

This week has been very eventful and inspiring. The highlights include my visits to the Norwegian Language School for immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and foreigners looking for work. I also visited the Ormsetter, which is the asylum seekers camp.

I went to the language school before, last Friday, but that was just to interview the headmaster. I didn't interact much with the students. The second time was on Monday. I had an appointment to sit in on a class to observe, but the teacher was sick. So I ended up observing a different class. This one was in a computer lab where students work individually at their own pace on computer programs that utilized video, audio, voice in mic, visual, and writing to practice Norwegian language. Everyone was very curious as to why I was there, so I spend some time explaining to some people that I was there to observe and do some research for a report. I also mentioned that I was an international student at the local university. Some people tooking a quick liking to me, and invited me back to speak with them after I had moved on a bit. I was very happy to be there! Towards the end of the class, this guy named Hashim called to me from the connecting room "Hva heter du?" asking what my name is. I was a bit surprised, but I went and spoke with him for a bit. He showed me what he was doing and explained his situation. Then he invited me to visit the asylum camp. I was so happy by this invitation, mainly because I was surprised at how quickly I gained their trust! When he took me to the bus stop, he had someone else, a very nice lady named Badia, take care of me and made sure that I got there. Badia also stays at the camp. We spoke at the bus stop and on the bus. At the bus stop, a man (I think his name was Ali?) was so nice and had a really pleasant conversation with me! And then after that, when I was at the asylum, he kept poping up and I saw him everywhere. What was interesting about that day was that everyone had thought that I was new there for the language program. And when I went to the asylum camp, for those who had not spoken to me were confirmed that I was there to join them. So because of that, I think I got the kind of experience and treatment that I would otherwise not had. Everyone was so welcoming of me! I was so happy!

The next day, I went back to observe some more. This time, it was an actual class in action. It was very interesting. This girl Hoda from Sumalia was so excited to see me, she called me to sit next to her in front of the class. I had initially wanted to sit in the back to observe, but she was so eager and friendly that it was hard for me to refuse the invitation. In class, I basically followed along with them in the lesson. I had fun. I understood some Norwegian, to my surprise! During break, Hoda took me under her wing and showed me the canteen/cafeteria and we talked for quite a while about a lot! She was eager to speak with me and I was surprised a bit at how everything turned out. Her English was basically perfect with an American accent, except she has never been to the US. I thought that was very impressive. She's one of those who are inspired by their experiences, and are striving to build themselves so that they can help. She wants to be a doctor. Later on that day, I saw some others that I had met the previous day, and they were a sad, it seemed, when I said that I won't be coming back. I was actually very sad to say that because somehow, in those two days, I grew a bit attached to the people there. But, in any case, I have to move on and write my case study. The experience will definitely be forever in my heart.

Eidsvollsbygningen: The Birthplace of the Norwegian Constitution

Our class had a field trip to Eidsvoll today; to the location where the Norwegian Consitution was created and signed! It was a very exciting trip. I can surely say that this is the best fieldtrip I have ever been on!

On the way there, I had a very pleasant conversation with a historian (his name is Morten, he also gives lectures to our class) about languages, globalization, nationalism, and books! It was a great train ride. And during the transfer, I bought a postcard and High School Musical trading cards! So the day already started out really well!!

Eidsvollsbygningen house was amazingly beautiful and old. It has been preserved very well. Our class had a guided tour through the house where representatives met to discuss the Constitution and later on signed it. Of course, I took detailed notes during the whole guide, just to discover that there is a brochure with all the information! I also read some information about the place before hand, so I didn't really need to take notes at all. In any case, I'm glad I took notes, because now I can remember it better.

After the guided tour, we went to the building next to the mansion. This place was a cafe for the museum, as well as a more informational museum (the house serves as a historic monument, to look pretty). There were displays, posters, videos, and many more informational set ups that were very catchy and detailed, as well as meaningful. We had a PDA to listen to the naration of the whole museum as we walked through. I of course, messed up. I tried to lock the touch pad, and ended up poping out the battery and it all shut down. I couldn't open the program again, so I had to improvise and find the audio files in the memory and listened to each individual one. I survived! When I returned the PDA I bought a feather ink pen to add to my pen/pencil/writing utensil collection. I collect pens and pencils when I go places.

After that, I went to the gift shop and bought some choclates; small pieces to distribute.

When we got ready to leave, we took pictures with the statues in the front of the location. It was very fun and it was our first class group picture that was complete.

I will have pictures up when I can. Right now, I just want to finish Breaking Dawing (The end of the Twilight Saga)! I'm only in the first 100 pages but the story is already progressing at lightning speed!! I plan on finishing thing book today so I can start on my book for class tomorrow without being distracted. I hope I can finish the Breaking Dawn today, since it's really thick. But I do have more or less 7 hours, so I could try to read faster! So when things are more settled, I will take some time to post pictures!

Reading at the beach

Today is Sunday; it was very relaxing. I slep in a bit to wake up with a pleasant surprise. Emily made pancakes, so that was so very nice of her! The day couldn't have started any better. After I read a bit from the book Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer from the Twilight Saga, I did some homework reading. While in the middle of reading the article for class, I decided to join some friends at the beach to read out there. It was so relaxing and the reading was even more interesting now that I was in the environment that the article was about. The article discusses the characteristics that make the Norwegian national identity, and why it is constantly changing. In the article, immigration played a big role and of course I was really interested. I was also very excited when I recognized some anthropologists that the article mentioned that I had learned about in ANTH375 last fall. Inger (our professor for this program in Norway) was right, this is a great article to start the program.

As for the Twilight Saga, I absolutely love it! My co-worker Erin introduced me to the saga and I was curious. Who wouldn't be when it comes to vampires, werewolves and a human girl? So I started read it and I just fell in love with the story. I am now on the third book and it's getting even better. I also spent some time looking at information about the movie production of the first book Twilight. It seems really cool, but I'm wondering if it's anything like the book. Your senses are utilized differently when reading a book than when watching a movie, so I'm a bit curious as to how the production will come out. I saw some behind the scenes and preview trailers, and I think I would like it. However, some characters I thought the casting could be a bit better. The character of Alice, one of the Cullen family (good "vegetarian" vampire) could have been younger. I expected Alice to be about 16 looking, but the actress for the part of Alice looked older to me. I also imagined Emmett to be bigger and more muscular from what I read. Dr. Cullen and Esme seemed about right. Rosalie and Jasper seemed about right, however I wasn't sure what to expect for what Jasper looked like. The nomadic vampires and Charlie seemed to fit what I had imagined also, but I didn't expect for Laurent to be black. I thought that Victoria was PERFECT! I didn't see Jacob, which was disapointing since I was really excited to see who was casted for Jacob. Now, for the two most important characters: Edward and Bella. I thought of Edward as a bit more built or taller. I can see how he could fit as Edward, but I expected him to be a bit different. As for Bella, I expected her to be more fragile looking and voice to be softer. I am a bit disappointed with the actress for Bella, just because I had a different image of her, but I think that for what the author described, that actress would suffice. So, that was my moment of obsession over the Twilight Saga. It is now time for bed. I have my first class for Society and Culture tomorrow! I am so excited to hear what everyone else thought about the article!

P.S. If you are reading this, I would appreciate it if you left a comment, just so I know that people are reading my blog.

A Different Way to Socialize

I notice that here, people socialize very differently from what I am use to for my age group. Every night since I've arrived, there have been parties and music. They don't even wait for the weekends or anything. Night time is night time and it's a time to drink and socialize. So I assume almost everyone have hang overs every morning or something. These Norwegian students my age, some a bit older, are pretty much drinking when they have a chance, and almost everyone has beer bellies, in American terms. I have no problem with this, but it's just new to me. In the states, especially PLU, drinking alcohol is not something to be so freely discussed, but they talked about it in their opening ceremony (like Convocation) as if it was nothing, which it is nothing of bad significance here. It's as if there is a whole culture of socializing that revolves around drinking. It's fascinating! I'd sit there, not drinking myself, observing the people and the conversations around me. The ones who are not drinking are less likely to introduce themselves to me and start a conversation. However, someone with some alcohol in their system would introduce themself to me and start a conversation as if we have been friends for a while. I feel kind of awkward that I don't drink, just because that's the way everyone is, but also I do not feel pressured to drink. It's very chill and I like it.

This is just something I noticed and it seems very important in their culture. I looked at the case as if it was a case study for anthropology. I'm so glad that I took those anthropology courses, because I feel so proud that I am using them to assess the situation now, constantly. I recognize the cultural differences here compared to the one I am familiar with, yet I can fit in because I understand what is going on. Thank you Prof. Thomson! This has made my experience a lot more enjoyable.

Aside from this, our first Norwegian language lesson was today! I was so excited, because, of course, I am learning a new language. I am always excited to understand another language. Spending some time listening to those audio Norwegian lessons definitely paid off. Today in class, I got excited on many occasions because I undertood things and rememebered words from my audio lesson.

We also got bikes today. They are very nice bikes; like brand new! I'm so anxious to ride around town and explore, especially along the water front!