Life in Norway Show

Life in Norway Show Episode 37: What's it like to leave the sunshine of Portugal for the mild summers and chilly winters of Oslo? How can you find work in Norway as an architect? We answer these questions and more in the latest episode of the podcast. More and more foreigners living in Norway are sharing their experiences on YouTube. I already spoke to one of them, Pame, on episode 22 about her experiences relocating from Mexico. Today, I'm speaking to another. Mon moved from Portugal to study in Norway in 2014 and hasn't gone back. Today she works as an architect in Oslo. She has also built a substantial following on YouTube by sharing videos about her thoughts on life here in Norway. We talk about the differences between life in Portugal and life in Norway, and how she found a job as an architect in Oslo. We also dig into the details of some of her most popular videos. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/from-portugal-to-norway/

Life in Norway Show Episode 36: In a break from the usual schedule, we update everyone on the latest situation with the coronavirus in Norway. Hi everyone. I've shifted the schedule around to bring you this short special update. The original episode will still air so look out for that in a week or so. The topic today is as I'm sure everyone will expect is the coronavirus in Norway. COVID-19 has disrupted everyday life in Norway like no other time outside of war. Much of the country is shut down with tens of thousands of people including me in home quarantine due to recent travels. Today, I talk about some of the most frequently asked questions related to the coronavirus outbreak in Norway. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/coronavirus-podcast/

Life in Norway Show Episode 35: The last few years have been uncertain times for Brits living all across Europe, and in Norway. I'm joined today by Richard Wood, the British Ambassador, to talk Brexit, the future of the UK's relationship with Norway, and his life in Oslo. The podcast is back! Yes, after a few months break, the number of emails I received from people asking for its return have worked their magic. I have a few episodes already recorded and it feels great to be back behind the mic! To kick-things off, I'm welcoming Richard Wood, the British Ambassador to Norway, to the Life in Norway hotseat. Of course, Brexit is on the agenda, but we also talk about the role of an Ambassador in 2020 and how that's changed over the years, plus Richard's thoughts and impressions on Norway and Norwegian life. Richard is actually the second Ambassador to come on the show. All the way back in episode 6, I spoke to Artur Wilczynski, who was then the Canadian Ambassador. If you enjoy this show, that one is also well worth a listen. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/british-ambassador-interview/

Life in Norway Show Episode 34: What's it like living on a small island in northern Norway? We find out as the Life in Norway Show chats to some of the people who call Skrova their home. I'm just back from a working trip to Skrova, a tiny island in the north of Norway. Less than 200 people live here, and it takes a 30-minute ferry ride from Skrova to reach it. I was there to cover a story on a bike sharing scheme, but I quickly discovered an island with outgoing locals and a love for photography. It's an absolutely beautiful place and the perfect spot to unwind and relax. But what's it like to live there? That's the question I wanted to answer, so I spoke to a few people who call the island their home. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/skrova-island-life/  

Life in Norway Show Episode 33: Michelin star chef Heidi Bjerkan from Credo joins the show to chat about their sustainability award and working in the food industry in central Norway. Back in February, Europe’s foodies had to check a map. The Michelin Nordic guide included not one but two restaurants in Trondheim, giving the city its first ever Michelin stars. One of those restaurants, Credo, also picked up the new Michelin Nordic Guide Sustainability Award. At the recent NTNU Big Challenge science festival, Credo head chef and owner Heidi Bjerkan was on hand to present not her food, but how they compost and enourage their customers to do the same. It’s a vital part of the sustainability circle of food systems that led to Credo's awards. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode33

Life in Norway Show Episode 32: Wil Lee-Wright of Trondheim's Britannia Hotel welcomes me for lunch as we chat about the hotel's renovation and what luxury experiences are available for visitors to central Norway. Trondheim recently saw the reopening of the historic Britannia Hotel at the heart of the city. It's one of a number of top-tier hotels to open in the country recently, in what seems to be a trend towards luxury tourism. When I was invited for lunch and a look around by a former guest of the Life in Norway Show, I got to see it for myself. It's an impressive place, the likes of which we've not had in Trondheim before. Over lunch, we chat about what the Britannia is trying to be, both for international travellers and for locals here in Trondheim, and about the possibilities for luxury travel here in central Norway. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode32

Life in Norway Show Episode 31: Curtis Rojak from Viking Biking joins us to chat about how much he loves the outdoors lifestyle in Oslo, so much so that he started a tour business to share that love with visitors. There’s plenty of ways to embrace the Norwegian outdoors lifestyle even if you live in the capital city. One person who knows that better than most is Curtis Rojak, founder of Viking Biking. He joins the Life in Norway Show to talk about the Norwegian 'friluftsliv', his love for Oslo, and where exactly he takes visitors on his cycling and walking tours. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode31

Life in Norway Show Episode 30: Andrew Sykes is a British author and long-distance cyclist. He chose to take on an almighty challenge, cycling from the south of Spain to the very north of Norway. Here's his story! A few years ago, British long-distance cyclist and writer Andrew P. Sykes cycled from the south of Europe all the way to Nordkapp at the very northern tip of the Norwegian mainland. Rather him than me! Having said that I am rather envious, as such a trip must take you through places the majority of us won't ever see. Andrew has chronicled his previous long-distance journeys in the books Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggieand Along the Med on a Bike Called Reggie. To complete the trilogy, Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie, is now available. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode30

Life in Norway Show Episode 29: Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian journalist who has visited every country in the world - twice! He tells us about what he's learned from travelling the world. Since the Viking Age, Norwegians have been known as travellers, but today's guest takes things a step further. Today I'm joined by Gunnar Garfors, a Norwegian journalist, globetrotter, and author of the book How I Ran Out Of Countries. We talk about where his ambition came from, what his travels have taught him about Norway's place in the world, and where in the world he thinks are the most interesting and overrated places to travel. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode29

Life in Norway Show Episode 28: Jill Kirchmann from the Norway Times blog tells us all about life in the small Norwegian town Hølen, and why she chose to move away from the capital city. I've only ever lived in Oslo and Trondheim, and every so often I do wonder what life would be like in a much smaller place. Having grown up in a small village in England, I have fond memories of life in a small community. But what would that be like as an adult, and in Norway? Jill Kirchmann, a Canadian who writes the Norway Times blog, is just the person to ask! She moved to Hølen, a small town about an hour south of Oslo, and joins the show to talk about the experience. Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode28