Norway
What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Norway. They wrote...
"The hours of operation of shops and other public places; the lack of understanding Norwegian at times when people speak to me (I feel like an idiot); the "can't be bothered" or "pass the buck" mentality people working in the service sector often have here -- whether it is Telenor, UDI, NAV, or the local municipality offices, etc. Experience has shown me that these type of workers are incapable of admitting a mistake, apologising for mistakes, or actually doing their job effectively. Lastly, the staring. I came here from a big US city where people rarely look at you in passing (unless there is really something to look at) each other on the streets or in cars, etc. Here, it is more common. It has angered me so much when I saw people staring or looking at me. I was told it's just local curiosity because they don't know me or haven't seen me before (one person even said it's because I'm handsome), but it's hard not to think it rude and unacceptable behaviour. This is not so much the case in cities like Oslo, Trondheim or Bergen," wrote a member who made the move to Gjøvik, Norway.
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"Not knowing how to speak the language. It's not easy learning a new language from scratch. I tried speaking Norwegian when I first started taking the course but my spouse was very critical of my pronunciation to the point that I became fixated on making sure the words sounded correctly instead of actually speaking the language itself. Living with a husband and adjusting with life in his country isn't easy either. And the prices here are extortionately expensive. It's difficult for me because back home, I have gotten accustomed to the fact that having fun always involves spending money," explained one expat living in Bergen, Norway.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Norway?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Norway?
- Will I be able to find a job in Norway?
- What is life like in Norway?
- What do expats in Norway appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Norway?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Norway accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Norway like?
- What are healthcare services like in Norway?
- What are medical services in Norway like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Norway?
- What are emergency services like in Norway?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Norway?
- How are local medical facilities in Norway?
- As a foreigner living in Norway, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Norway, newcomers to Norway would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
