Why Don Took a Year to Teach in Norway

What happens when you step out of your life for a year to live, work, and connect in a completely different culture?

Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way.

This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk.

Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble.

What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

• Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year
• How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools
• Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values
• How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher
• What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country
• Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps
• The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling
• Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story
• How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears
• And so much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Don on Instagram
• American-Scandinavian Foundation
• Fulbright Roving Scholars
• Too Good To Go App

Want More?

• Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins
• Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway
• Walking the World: A Deeper Exploration of Culture and Community with Chris Arnade

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