Learning the Meaning of Friluftsliv
One of the benefits of being an international student in Oslo is having the opportunity to live in Kringsja. This part of the city is home to the Sognsvann Lake and the forest, in which Norwegians and expats alike enjoy the nordic tradition of friluftsliv. The philosophy behind friluftsliv embodies the country’s cultural attachment with nature, with wandering around in the outdoors, by building relations and growing through the natural world. During my time in Norway, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some fjords, hike a couple of small mountains, and, of course, walk many times around Sognsvann.
Adopting the friluftsliv lifestyle is perhaps the second best thing that happened to me during my stay in this city- I’ll tell you about the first in another post. Norwegians spend a lot of time outdoors, even children, who go on daily excursions with their kindergarten teachers and learn about nature. I can’t help but smile every time I see a group of children walking around in their bright yellow vests, guided by their teacher, looking at the sky in wonder (did I mention there are 4 preschools in Kringsja?!).
Oslo is also famous for its Opera House. It is a remarkable landmark that offers free tours in English every Saturday. The Oslo Opera House has shows almost every day and tickets are affordable (surprising considering how expensive everything in Norway is). The theater is always packed and hosts everything for jazz festivals to the glorious Nutcracker Ballet in December. I have heard this is the most anticipated show of the year! It is interesting to attend opera and classical theater shows in a building that is very modern, when compared to the traditional opera houses in other cities.
