I have had this interview for a while now, and it got lost in the shuffle…but I was happy to rediscover this great interview with Bennie. Bennie is a Norwegian living abroad in Australia.

I was really excited to do an interview with a Norwegian expat, being that I have been living in Norway! So, read on for another great interview with an expat!

1.Where are you from originally, where are you now and what brought you there?

I am from Hamar in Norway. Right now I’m back Brisbane, Australia where I study journalism. I have just been one semester in London, on exchange from the university here. To study journalism in Australia was an idea from a friend, and I thought why not? Life is all about collecting memories and for me its just a big collection of (positive) accidents.

2.Do you have any advice for people who want to get a job or visa in a foreign country? What was your experience with getting a visa/job? Was it difficult?

Being a student I try to focus on my studies during the semester and I work when I am home on vacation during Christmas- and summer holidays. That works well for me and the wages in Norway are way higher than here in Australia. That is another reason for why I chose to not work here in Australia.

3.Do you want to move back to where you originally came from? If not, what is it about the expat life that makes it all worth it to you?

Yes. I am Norwegian after all. And even though I love living in other countries, Norway is home. (and Norway is the best country in the world, and all that, hahah). Hopefully, I will be able to get a job after my studies and continue with my hobbies and catch up with old friends. But who knows, going back might not be what I want it to be and I will change my mind. I like to keep all options open.

4.Any practical tips for the new expats out there (like me)?

Be positive! Don’t be afraid to take contact with people. Norwegians are weird like that, we are not welcoming and I understand that people find us hard to approach. The easiest is to get to know people thru a shared activity or class, for instance at university, a dance class, a hobby etc. Then you get a few friends that introduce you to new people and it becomes easier to make some friends. It is hard to make friends without having anything in common. You have probably noticed that Norwegians usually do not talk to strangers on the street.

5. As a Norwegian, do you have any advice or tips for an American living in Norway ? :)

Look at the last question!
Making your website and emailing me these questions prove that you are interested and that is absolutely the best thing you can be. I don’t know how well you speak Norwegian but most Norwegians are more than happy to practice their English with foreign people even though we might be shy in the beginning. I believe it is harder for people coming from non-English speaking countries for language is a key to communication. Good luck :)

For more great expat interviews, check out these….

Featured Interviews With Expats Around The World:

• An Interview With Ms Adventures In Italy’s Sara Rosso (Italy)
  
• An Interview With My Own Moon’s Star Child (Sweden)
• An Interview With La delirante’s Wendy (Malta)
• An Interview With Eurotrippen’s B. (Germany)
• An Interview With Migration Diary’s Caroline (UK)
• An Interview With Chris (A Fellow American In Norway!) (Norway)