. This is the topic that will be presented in the article below. Adrian (aged 21), who came to Norway when he was 10, and Wiktoria (aged 18), who was 14 when he moved, will speak.
This text is based on an interview at the end of the article. Topics that will be discussed include the feeling about moving, language learning and advice for people who would like to come to Norway. We look at the whole situation in retrospect, because now they are adults, not children. The time perspective is not accidental, because as children we can make decisions more or less consciously. However, it is only when we grow up and look at a given situation in retrospect that it shows us that what happened was not so bad.
Moving from Poland to Norway, what was it like, was it a difficult decision, considering that it is being done on a permanent basis?
It was definitely difficult, especially since I was 14 years old, I was already such a teenager, I had my friends. I knew everything, I had my own comfort zone, so it was definitely a bit difficult and hard with a new language in mind, about changing my whole environment in which I grew up, says Wiktoria.
But do you remember the time you came here? Do you remember those snails? What was going on in your head then?
I was definitely curious about what it would look like, but I was also afraid because I couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak Norwegian in general, so there was excitement and a lot of stress.
Adrian, as for you, you came here when you were 10 years old. Do you remember anything from that perspective?
I remember that the beginnings were difficult. Mainly because of the Norwegian one, because I couldn't get along with anyone. But I had a friend in my class, Damian, who was also from Poland, and he helped me a lot, he was very friendly.
How did you deal with leaving friends in Poland?
It was difficult, I had a lot of friends there. Before I moved, I was a very open-minded person, but that changed after moving here. It was very difficult to leave them because I grew up with these people, I saw him all the time and it was hard, especially since at the beginning I tried to keep in touch with them which then was quite unfavorable, so to speak.
I tried to keep in touch with my friends through Facebook and in various class groups, but after a while I read the messages and saw them dating and it made me upset, so I figured I would cut myself off.
So it worked back? You wanted to have contact, and yet it really intensified your inner pain?
Yes, that's right, so I figured I'd cut myself off. In fact, I only had contact with one friend, and I cut myself off with the rest of my friends.
In hindsight, do you regret it?
I don't regret it, I think I did the right thing with this cut off. And I don't regret it because it helped me. It is an individual matter, everyone copes differently with moving and losing friends.
From the perspective of people, what are the Norwegians like?
Poles are so open, and here the Norwegians are rather distanced. In Norway, no one will come to say hello and talk to you, in Poland it was different, I remember, says Adrian.
Yes, I also felt that there are groups like this and it's hard to get into such a group. When I was 14, I noticed that it was difficult to get into it, adds Wiktoria.
Now, do you have any way to know if there is any possibility to break into such a group?
In my opinion, you have to be very open, not be afraid to be yourself and talk to people.
What were your first months like?
I was very lonely, there was a lot of crying at home, it was hard for me to find friends, to open up, so at first I was very lonely.
Adrian, and in your case?
I don't remember if I was lonely at the beginning, but I have 2 brothers so I could always do something with them.
How did you learn Norwegian? What do you remember, what was difficult for you?
Adrian, what do you remember? How did it look like? You went to school and you don't understand.
It was difficult, on a scale of 1 to 10, learning Norwegian is 10. At school it was also strange, because I sit in the classroom and listen to the teacher, but I did not understand anything. It was so pointless.
But did you have individual studies?
I had a Polish teacher whom I attended with my brother. The Norwegians had normal classes and I was learning Norwegian during that time. And when I learned this language, it was much better after a few months, because I could talk to others right away. I could take my friend home, or we could go out together. It helped me a lot.
And in your case, Wiktoria? You were 4 years older, what was it like?
It was harder for me to learn the language, definitely. In general, I noticed that children quickly get their tongue because they don't analyze it, they don't have these brakes. Children, I am not trying to understand it all. I sat and thought about it all, instead of just learning to communicate. I was also in a class for foreigners, so no one spoke Norwegian there.
What would your advice be to a person who is thinking about leaving, but who are afraid because of the language?
First of all, so as not to be afraid to speak, I had such a blockade, even if you already understood and knew the language a bit, I was afraid to speak. It was not good because speaking helps a lot in learning.
Do you regret something? Or how could you change anything, what would it be?
We have already touched on it a bit, with these friends, about being open, not to be afraid, talking a lot with parents, because it is also very important. Do not be afraid to ask for help, because if it is difficult for you, you should talk or even go to a psychologist.
Have you been to a psychologist?
I was there once before we left, and it helped me a bit.
Adrian, what would you like to change in retrospect?
I mean, I don't regret anything about what I've done.
What role did your parents play in moving to Norway?
In my opinion, I am very lucky because my parents helped me a lot. Except that they listened to me, understood me, and explained to me that everything would be fine, that it was a natural adaptation process. It is not something quick, that it will be super fun for a few days, I will feel like I am in Poland, so long talks with my parents helped.
Have you had any rebellion moments? You know you are expelling all your emotions.
I did that, I cried a lot, I screamed, I released these emotions. I said that I want to come back, that I don't want to be here. You have to release these emotions, not hold anything in you.
And in your case, Adrian? Parents passed the exam?
Yes, I always had what I needed. I was getting this help, listening to me both at your father's and at your mother's, there was no problem with that. Your help was important to me and helped me a lot.
Do you regret coming here?
If you had asked me 2 years ago I would have said yes. But now no, I have no regrets at all. I think that it helped me to open up, shape my personality, learning the language is also a big plus, you know many people because English here is also at a very high level. Such experiences always shape a person, and it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. It may seem horrible at first, that it will never change, that it will always be like that, but everything takes time. Especially when you move, you move to another country with a new culture and it's hard at first, but I don't regret it.
Adrian, do you regret it?
I don't regret it, because why should I regret it.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to come to Norway?
That it's worth it and that it will be hard at first, but it will get better later. It's worth getting through it, being open, not afraid to ask for help. It is worth going to a psychologist prophylactically before moving, in my opinion, just to talk and complain, The sooner the better Wiktoria says.
You come here, don't be afraid, it's nice here, says Adrian.
The statements in this article are only part of and abbreviated versions of what Adrian and Wiktoria said. If you are interested in this topic, you can listen to the entire interview:
Also read our other article: The Norwegian krone is even more unstable than the zloty?
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