FAQs
Q: What does Norway and its media think of terrorist threats?
This is a question I've gotten a couple of times. As far as I can tell, it's a concern, but not a big one. Norway tends to be a neutral and peaceful country, so I think most Norwegians would like to think that terrorist groups ignore them and will continue to. However, the recent attack in Paris scared a lot of people up here. Norwegians are fairly open to incoming refugees, but there is caution to avoid letting in terrorists. Like most other countries, they screen the incoming immigrants before permitting them in the country. Overall, the Norwegians want peace and aren't very concerned about terrorist attacks, though they are concerned about the growth of terrorism.
Q: What's the Biggest Difference?
I've gotten this question more times than I can possibly remember. At this point, I'd have to say it's the schools. At Katta, the class periods are 45 minutes, but all my classes are double-blocked, so they're all an hour and a half. But this also usually includes some time to work on the homework, and, if you're efficient, finish it. Then there's a 15 minute passing period, or an hour-long lunch period. During lunch or a free period, it's completely acceptable to leave the school-no note, no signing out. I frequently go out with friends during lunch, and there's no problem so long as we're back in time for class. I'd say the homework load is about the same, but here we have more time to work on it since, unlike the US, I don't have the same classes everyday. Typically, my classes are every other day, excluding Thursday (fagdag=subject day) and gym class, which is only on Mondays. So, while I have roughly the same amount of Math homework, I have work time in class and at least two evenings to finish it. However, most of my teachers don't check our homework because it's the students' responsibility to study and be able to pass the test. Maybe this is only my school, but it's very focused on students improving themselves. Videregående skole (grades 1-3, or the US equivalent of 11-13) isn't mandatory, but it's highly recommended for a good job, but my teachers take the approach that the students have chosen to further their education and to come to school, so it's their responsibility to do their work. It's a lot of little things, but they all add up. Overall, I think here there is more freedom and independence. I have to be responsible for myself, and that's not something that I was very used to in the US.