Studiestart

On Monday, we were assigned buddy groups within our faculties, which meant that I got to wander around with around 20 math students from around the world (mostly Europe)! And I really do mean wander around. On the first day that all first year students were here, our group literally just walked around to different places on campus, not the most informative or exciting, but it was nice meeting new people. We also had a formal opening ceremony, which was kind of cool in that all of the first year/ international students were there and there was a full orchestra/ choir and people like the rector of the university and the mayor speaking. It was a little difficult to focus on though since I was so far away from the stage and it was mostly in

Norwegian (which I only was able to understand about half of), so I left part way through to go on a run around Songsvann before joining people again to go to Chateau Neuf, which is the home of the student association for the evening. There, people were sitting outside, maybe drinking beers and chatting while a DJ played electro-reggae music. It was pretty lovely, and I was able to stay until about 11:00 before I was too tired to keep hanging out with the people I had met.
The next morning we had a more informational orientation. We learned about things ranging from the student welfare organization here to how to register with the police. I also learned that I had to take a Norwegian Placement test by the 17th (the next day!), which was good to know... After that I went shopping for groceries at Grønland, which is a more international part of the city known for its reasonably priced fruits and vegetables. I went to a little market that was pretty magical. There really was beautiful fruit and also delicious rings of bread covered in sesame. I plan on returning often.
After I got back, a friend from the USAC named Andrew (who is from Minnesota and skis for Colby) and I ran up to Holmenkollen. The run there was essentially straight up a hill, but at the top was a skiers paradise. The view of the fjord and the city was incredible, and there was a 5k course of paved roller ski only trails! There was a ski

training camp for the best junior skiers in the world happening, and there were a few people from Minnesota there! It was super impressive and inspiring to see so many really talented skiers all in one place. Andrew said that he has seen Marit Bjørgen and the Norwegian national team training up there when he's come up before, so I will likely have to make more appearances. While there, we also climbed half way up the ski jump, which lead to an even more beautiful view and a deep respect for ski jumpers. The run down was so much easier than the run up. (Side note on Holmenkollen: So many cool ski moments have happened there, including the obnoxious time that Petter Northug was really far ahead in a race, stopped in the stadium to grab a Norwegian flag and then stepped across the finish line as the second place skier came in.)
That evening, a group of us went up to Sognsvann to grill for dinner. We had pølse (basically hot dogs) with lomper (these potato flatbread things that Norwegians wrap their pølse) as well as some salmon and grilled red peppers. There are these things in Norway called "Engangs Grills" which means "One time grills" that are these disposable grills that you can just light, grill on, and throw away in trash cans designated specifically for these on time grills. So easy to use and convenient, I'm surprised we don't have them in the U.S., since we love both grilling and disposable things...
This morning, I set up an appointment to register with the police, went for a beautiful trail run in Nordmarka (the first time I've really gotten off the main trails! I went through things that were rocky and rooty and muddy and it was incredible. There really is a FOREST immediately outside of the city.) I then ate and took the placement test I learned about yesterday (we'll see how that goes...) and then met up with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for a trip out to Hovedøya. The transit pass we have also works for the ferries! Incredible! We spent the afternoon grilling and chilling by the beach. It was perfect weather for that kind of afternoon, nice and hot and sunny. I had a lot of fun chatting with some Canadians and Dutch people. When I got home, I made myself some chickpea curry and bought myself some pistachio ice cream.
The next day, I attended a orientation for the faculty of math and natural sciences, which took a bit of time but also included coffee and boller (norwegian buns). I then ate some food at the cafeteria with some friends and then ventured to the Vigeland sculpture park.
The Vigeland sculpture park is the largest sculpture garden in the world crafted by one artist, and it is incredible. I really felt like each piece expressed a lot about human emotions and relationships, as well as being beautiful and impressively crafted. There are also just so many pieces of art (over 200!) It was a completely beautiful day as well, which meant that there were a lot of other tourists there.
That evening, I went to a track practice with the track club associated with the university. Everyone there was really friendly, and I ended up doing most of the workout between a guy who teaches math at a secondary school and a math professor at the university! It was nice to run with people again, to meet Norwegians and to get back on the track! I started a little aggressively since I was excited, and dropped off a little at the end, but I am feeling excited about getting back into track shape and getting to know the team better!
Other happenings of this first week have included stumbling across a

free festival called "Mela Festivalen" where I ate delicious indian food and watching a Bangra dance group, a soul singer and a norwegian hip hop group, finding a great grocery store and wandering around Vigeland park with friends.