Norwegian Learning Community and Resource

• Can you present and talk a little bit about yourself?  

I am from Spain, but live in Ireland for the time beeing. I am 22 and study to become a  kindergarden teacher, though I have already finished a degree in primary school teaching. I wish to work in one of the Norwegian schools in Spain, because they focus more on physical activity and outdoor education.  

• Can you tell us where you did your mobility? How and why did you choose the place to go?  

I have been two times in Horten, at the University of South-East Norway. Once for a summer, and once for a whole semester from August until July. I took courses in English. I wanted to go to Norway because of studies – it was a course on outdoor teaching, which they don’t really have in Spain.  

• How was your experience getting used to the language?  

I shared kitchen with 12 people, and all of them were Norwegian. It was a bit hard in the start, as I did not know any Norwegian. I had just been using a bit of Duolingo before arriving. But at the same time it is easier to learn a language if you are forced to speak it. It was a good motivation to be able to communicate well with my flat mates.   

• What advice would you give to someone who is starting to learn a new language?  

My best advice would be to watch movies, videos, and to listen to podcasts in the language you are trying to learn. 

• Did OLS help you to improve your language level?  

Yes! When living with other Norwegians I was listening a lot to the language, but it was nice to have a place where I could learn the grammar, like structuring a sentence properly, and to practice reading and understanding.   

• What do you think about the platform, do you think it is useful, do you advise Erasmus students to use the community?  

Yes, I find it very usefull. It is really dynamic, and gives you knowledge about language in real situations that you meet in everyday life.  Like talking to flatmates, being at the supermarked. I like that there are a lot of videos and that it is interactive.   

• Was it your first experience abroad? How long did you stay there?   

This was my first time abroad, and the time a stayed the longest I was there for almost a year. Before starting to learn Norwegian, I had already learned english and french, including spanish of course.   

• How was your mobility experience?  

I really liked the educational programme I was on. It was on outdoor education, and we spent a lot of time in nature. It was my first time being in the snow. We did a lot of winter activites, like skiing and ice scating on a frozen lake. We also went outdoor camping in different locations in Norway, and we has a trip to Sweden too. I am going back to Norway to visit some friends soon, and I am really looking forward to it.  

• Any advice you would like to give to someone preparing to go on mobility?  

I would advice anyone going to Norway not pack any clothes – they are not good enough! I barley used the clothes I brought, as you need proper clothes for the cold. Especially if you are a lot outdoors.  

• How did the mobility/volunteering/internship help you to grow?  

It did in a lot of ways. I am an only child, and had not been a lot away from home. I had to learn to cook, clean, live by myself for the first time. I think this was probably the biggest part of the experience for me.