As this is my first blog post since I’ve gotten to Kristiansand, Norway its going to be a long one, but I have so much to share and to look back on so sit back and sit tight!

My journey all started at the Minneapolis Airport… After checking in my bags I came to realize that one of my bags was a little on the heavy side. Ever since I’ve been in Norway, those 12 pounds that were overweight was well worth it! After handing my bag that was bigger than the front desk worker I made my way to the security checkpoint, which meant good-bye until June. After many hugs and tears I said good-bye to my mother, sister Elizabeth, and my girlfriend Alyssa and I was off to my new home in Scandinavia, but I had a long road ahead.

My flight from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Amsterdam, Netherlands was of course running late due to engine problems and knowing I only had an hour and a half layover time in one of the biggest airports in the world made me a little nervous, but the person sitting next to me was quite an interesting and a comforting experience. I had the pleasure of sitting next to a United States Army Solider heading back to his base in Vilseck, Germany after his Christmas leave. 20 year old Caleb S. has made this trek at least a dozen times to and from his family farm near St. Cloud, Minnesota but this trip seemed to be much hardier because on his three weeks leave, he got married to his high school sweetheart.  Going back to his base without his newlywed bride did not seem like the ideal honeymoon location to him. I could tell that he was very heartbroken about leaving so I thought I could take his mind off the thought of that, so we talked about almost everything under the sun. We talked about his German Wirehair hunting dog to his favorite gun the m240 grenade launcher and to his future after the United States Army. Caleb’s passion for hunting and his expertise on guns from being in the Army has lead him to want to presue a business degree with the hopes of opening up his own gunsmith business! As soon as we knew it we started to descend into Amsterdam and after pointing me in the right direction to my next gate in what seemed to be a maze of an airport, I wished him luck and we were off in our different directions. I was very blessed to be able to have met Caleb and to hear his story. Caleb has to go through goodbyes and distance from his loved ones on a regular basis and for both of us being the same age, it defiantly made me appreciate my life and also gives me inspiration for being away for so long from the ones that I love.

With only time for a quick bathroom break (and going into the wrong one accidentally) I made it to the gate with ten minutes to spare! I boarded the plane and was excited to test out my Norwegian speaking skills I made small talk with the person sitting next to me. Daniel, from Kristiansand was on his last leg of his journey back home from studying aboard in South Australia so after my Norwegian speaking started to run low (which was not long) he offered to speak English so I was relieved. Daniel gave me some very helpful pointers about Kristiansand like; which bars to go to, helpful phrases in Norwegian, and which places are the prettiest to see. After our hour conversation, we landed in Kristiansand. After laughing at me for taking a million pictures after we stepped off the plane, we said goodbye. Surprised that my all my luggage made it to Kristiansand, I met Jan Erik waiting for me! After not seeing him since I was about two years old, he seemed like he was my long lost brother! Jan Erik gave me a tour of Kristiansand and although it was a bit rainy, the country was one of the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen. He showed me the campus where I will be studying and scenic points that look out over Kristiansand, which of course took millions of pictures of. We stopped up at Monica’s apartment in town where we had a frozen pizza for a quick snack (first Norwegian meal!). Then we headed to Anne May’s house where she had been cooking up a storm in preparation of a hungry college student! Of course she spoiled me to the fullest with their traditional Christmas/New Year dinner with Sautéed Lamb and all this amazing food… Easily the best dinner I’ve had here in Norway. Lars (Anne May’s husband) welcomed me as well with a never empty glass of local Kristiansand brewed beers! Following dinner, Anne May again spoiled me with a wonderful arrival cake covered in Norwegian flags and poppers! The night went on and it was absolutely amazing to finally meet my wonderful family in Norway! Adrian, Oda, and little Alida (Anne May and Lars’ children) were very welcoming and I got Norwegian Lessons in exchange for English lessons. Being with family the first night I was in Norway was a perfect way to make me feel comfortable in my new home in Kristiansand, Norway.

After a long day of travel, Anne May and Lars let me crash at their house. After a 13-hour sleep and overcoming jetlag I was excited to have a full day in Norway! After salmon, eggs, and toast for breakfast and a couple games of me losing in fifa to Adrian, it was time for me to get my keys to my accommodation near campus. After getting my keys, Lars gave me an in-depth of downtown Kristiansand and which grocery stores to go to (and also bars). We got to my place and met my new roommate Hallgeir! His name Norwegian name is very hard to pronounce for me so he lets me call him HalJ. Hal is a local here in Kristiansand so he has been a tour guide and also a very good friend and loves America so he was very excited to know that I am American! With a survival kit from Anne May with all my favorite foods and just like that I was all settled into my new home! Velkommen til Norge!!

– more posts to come!