Well, I am sorry to say, I'm heading home tomorrow. I thought I'd be here for one year, or longer. BUT for the sanity of our child I'm going home tomorrow. The positives about Norway are many: progressive politics, health care for all that is easy to use as newcomer, fabulous scenery, a growing economy are among the few I can think of immediatly. Yes Norway has some downsides- it is fabulously expensive as well (399Kr/Kg for smoked salmon...), rental housing is very difficult to find, a reserved population that can be hard to get to know, and (suprisingly) a mediocre public school system. Norwegian students are in the middle of the pack among the developed nations. Both my kids were at least 2 years ahead of their grade level here in math, and were surprised at how little is required of students at school. The upside is students like school and are not stressed out, but the downside is they don't push students very hard.
Peter and Conlon will stay on longer- I may post some of their travels... they are off to Stockholm this weekend
Har det bra.
Brita
Ah! Well, a noble experiment. Kudos to you and your family for living large. I will miss your postings!
ReplyDeleteI'm very surprised at your observation that the public schools are mediocre! Maybe Scandanavia doesn't have as many answers as I thought they did...
ReplyDeleteThe Finn's are a leading the world in academic achievement. Norwegian's have been traveling there to find out what the answer is - basically they ask them to do more work I think.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a lot of fun to live vicariously through your photos and blog. I'm sorry it's ending early for you.
ReplyDelete