Participants:
Jennifer
Jennifer was born in 1989 in Monnickendam in North Holland. Before she came to Norway, she worked at the switchboard and reception in an accounting firm in Amsterdam.
She came to Norway to live in June 2011. From March 2011, she often travelled to Norway to visit her boyfriend Martejn, and to try to find a job. But as soon as she came to Ringebu in June, her boyfriend lost his job because the company went bankrupt. This was a period of great of stress for her - both of them were unemployed, they did not speak Norwegian and their future prospects were uncertain.
She came to Norway to live in June 2011. From March 2011, she often travelled to Norway to visit her boyfriend Martejn, and to try to find a job. But as soon as she came to Ringebu in June, her boyfriend lost his job because the company went bankrupt. This was a period of great of stress for her - both of them were unemployed, they did not speak Norwegian and their future prospects were uncertain.
But Jennifer and Martejn found a solution to the difficult situation and decided to take over a restaurant at the railway station in Ringebu. Jennifer had some experience from the time when she worked in an airport cafe in the Netherlands.
Jennifer is very keen on horses. She had a pony in the Netherlands where she rented stable space. One of her reasons for moving to Norway was her desire to buy a farm where she could keep her horse and spend much more time on looking after it and riding.
Their main reason for moving to Norway was to find a place where they could live in close contact with nature, without traffic and everyday stress.
Jennifer is very keen on horses. She had a pony in the Netherlands where she rented stable space. One of her reasons for moving to Norway was her desire to buy a farm where she could keep her horse and spend much more time on looking after it and riding.
Their main reason for moving to Norway was to find a place where they could live in close contact with nature, without traffic and everyday stress.
Her first impression after arriving in Ringebu was of wide open spaces with few people. That was a big difference from the densely populated Netherlands. She fell in love with the scenery around Ringebu - big, deserted spaces, populated only by wild animals. The area was ideal for riding and walking. But because of her time-consuming job, she has little leisure time for her hobby.
Jennifer does not want to move back to the Netherlands. She cannot imagine living in a big city as she used to.
Jennifer does not want to move back to the Netherlands. She cannot imagine living in a big city as she used to.
She thinks that young people have a better chance to establish themselves in Norway than in the Netherlands, where many people under 30 live with their parents. Before they moved, the couple lived with her parents, because they could not afford to buy a flat or house in the Netherlands.
The only thing she misses from her homeland, apart from her family, is meeting up with friends in pubs on a Saturday night or in cafes at any time. When she finishes the day’s work, she is too tired for that kind of social life. But it has been completely replaced by the inner peace, beautiful nature and personal freedom that she has found in Norway.
The only thing she misses from her homeland, apart from her family, is meeting up with friends in pubs on a Saturday night or in cafes at any time. When she finishes the day’s work, she is too tired for that kind of social life. But it has been completely replaced by the inner peace, beautiful nature and personal freedom that she has found in Norway.