Winter is coming

Yes, winter is coming and it's even closer than I expected. I took this photo on my way to work last Thursday. My advice: Start preparing yourselves for the cold, windy, dark and frosty months. It's hight time to dig out some warm clothes from the wardrobe! I love winter especially when I can sit at home with some hot chocolate, read a book or watch a film while being covered with pillows and blankets. Oh yes! I forgot to mention the snow outside, yes I like it. :)

Hilsen
~Stella

Northern lights

It is hard to see the northern lights when you are living in a big city such as Trondheim. But I don't lose hope and I check the forecasts all the time. I am also looking for some dark spots in the city close to the water, so I can just run there in the middle of the night and enjoy the view of Aurora. I hope it will happen soon!

Tips for checking the forecasts:

• Auroral activity
• Weather

One my EVS friends who lives in Steinkjer had a chance to see the Aurora from the roof of her house, here is her photo.

Hilsen
~Stella

Bondens marked

On one of the past Saturdays there was a Farmers Market in the city centre. Such events take place every once in a while and it's a great idea both for farmers to sell their products and for us to be able to buy eco and organic food, meat and fish. Except the possibility of just purchasing good quality food, there were also many people who were actually cooking and giving away for example pancakes, sausages, waffles, jams and so on. I totally support Bondens Marked! If you want to check when will be the next one, just visit this page.

Hilsen
~Stella

Snakker du Norsk?

Yes I know that you have no time and it is too big challenge to learn Norwegian...

But not because learning foreign language is always hard and you don't have enough patient. The real difficulties that you easily become too lazy to use Norwegian language because everybody can speak English. 

And now I mean EVERYBODY! 

If you go to the shop to buy something and ask some help for a student or have a small chat with an old woman in the bus stop, or simply ask a child to take a picture of you near the cathedral, everybody would be really kind and helpful in English! 

You will be surprise how patient the Norwegian are when you start to use the language with your own special dialect :) I am sure that you will get back a lot of smile and  encouragement from them. You will suddenly find some new expressions and interesting local tips to keep going your wonderful journey ;)

So what are you waiting for ???

Here you can find some FREE online learning tips, but my recommendation is to buy a small dictionary and try to use the language every day, it is really fun and of course you can do it! :)

On the way

VOX

Crienexzy

Norwegian in three minutes

Let start it now and have fun!

Frozen
It is easy to learn Norwegian if you try to find your favourite songs in Norwegian and try to sing them :)

TIPS&TRICKS - Checklist before you sign the contract

If you are wondering to apply for a long term volunteer service, before you are finishing the last step of your application, here is a checklist what can help you to be sure that you know every important detail of technical background.

Checklist

You can ask these details from your host coordinator to avoid some surprise at the beginning of your volunteer service.

Accommodation

• Type and location
• Room condition (single room / shared room)
• Rent and other expenses
• Internet

Food

• Breakfast (covered by the association / individual)
• Lunch (covered by the association / individual)
• Dinner (covered by the association / individual)
• Weekend (covered by the association / individual)

Project

• Contact details (coordinator / mentor)
• Working hours (start time / end time)
• Working on weekends
• Official holidays in your host country
• Number of days-off
• Task and responsibility
• Language course

Pocket money

• Amount
• Frequency
• Type (cash / credit card)

Official documents

• Visa
• Police registration

Transport

• Driving (car / van)
• Borrow a bicycle
• Public Transport (tickets / monthly tickets)

TIPS&TRICKS - Write a motivation letter!

If You are wondering to be a volunteer here is some tips how You can start and how to write a motivation letter.

Top 10 Tips

1. Address the letter to the responsible volunteer coordinator.

2. If you can, write the letter in the official language of the country where the project is hosted. 

3. Introduce yourself by telling who you are and what you do.

4. Motivate why you have decided to do EVS and be a volunteer, write about your previous social work and cross country experiences (volunteer work, helping in the school, helping to your neighbor, living abroad, participate intercultural events, travelling).

5. Read about the host organisation and their activities and mention some positive feedback to show you have explored their activities and you are interested in working exactly for that organization

(You can also mention what do you know about the host country and why you chose that culture).

6. Tell why you want to participate in this project. Write an exact plan about what you would like to gain, how you can help, what you can teach to the others and how you can be an active part of the daily life. 

Don't forget to write about what you would like to learn and what would you like to gain during your volunteer service.

7. Show them why you think you are the most suitable volunteer for this project and show them you are ready for new impressions. Don't be shy, write about your personality and strengths!

8. Write about your skills and your hobbies (language, computer, music, drawing...). 

9. Show your creativity, choose sunny, friendly and active photos or videos about yourself, your hobbies, your view of life or your social life.

10. Say goodbye and mention that you will wait for their answer. Sign and add your contacts!


To feel some motivation I can recommend you this short chapter from one of my favorite film The Peaceful Warrior:

And don't forget: