Scandinavian Adventure

Scandinavia. I can't say that a trip to Scandinavia was on my top ten list of places to visit in the world... and definitely, not somewhere I expected to visit within the next five years. But the one thing I have learned is that life is reliably unpredictable and in about seven hours, I will be boarding a U.S. Airways flight to Oslo for the first leg of my trip to Northern Norway.

How did I end up here? A few months ago, I received an email advertising a cultural emersion/exchange program sponsored by Rotary International. The South Jersey District 7640 was looking to send four non-Rotarians to Northern Norway for a four week program designed to experience, learn and understand life in Norway. The entire Group Study Exchange program was created with the idea that by transplanting a person from one place in the world (South Jersey) to another place in the world (in this case, Northern Norway), you are opening up new doors, broadening horizons and allowing the individual to take in a global perspective that will hopefully influence their personal and professional lives back home. Over the course of four weeks, I will be playing Norwegian. I will be living with Norwegian families, shadowing professionals in my field, participating in everyday Norwegian activities and essentially learning how this part of the world lives and works.

Initial Perspectives.
After meeting the Norwegian GSE team here, I have had an opportunity to learn bits and pieces about their culture back home. Everyday life in Northern Norway seems to mirror life at home. Most working professionals work 9-5 jobs, however life seems more relaxed and less dependent on working toward that next promotion and proving yourself in title or salary. Financially, all industry pays higher so as to compensate for a higher cost of living. I think there is a vast disparity between city life and rural suburban living, particularly in the social lifestyle. One consistency, however, is the dependent on the outdoors for activity whether it be hiking, fishing, boating and skiing. It is this commitment to nature and the outdoors that motivates Norwegians to take that extra step to guarantee its continued existence. Expense is not a limitation when it comes to taking precautions, which is particularly reassuring since oil and fuel are the financial lifelines of the country. I am, perhaps, most interested in learning more about the World Seed Bank and the Norwegian's foresight in protecting and preserving the very things that sustain our life today.

Expectations.
This trip to Northern Norway is going to be hectic, chaotic and inspiring. We are going to be on the go for most of the hours in any given day and given that we'll be there during 24 hours of sunlight, the days are guaranteed to be long. For each area we are going to be visiting, from Bodo to Tromso, our hosts want to show us the best of what their hometown has to offer and we are going to be the lucky recipients taking it all in. My goal is to meet as many people as I can, learn from them about life in Northern Norway and really understand what people prioritize, criticize and enjoy. I want to understand how life in another part of the world can be so different, yet so similar to life at home and what lessons we can take away to better ourselves. I want to capture every awe inspiring moment, take in the landscape and sights and come home ready to share my experience.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but the number of moments that take your breath away."