Final Countdown

Final Countdown

The final days in Kristiansand have arrived. It's hard to believe that my semester abroad is coming to an end soon!

We returned from our coastal course on the island of Randøya on June 2nd. Now we have just under two weeks until we move out. The lease expires on June 15th, which means we must move out by that day at the latest.

Studying by the lake!?

Since we have our final practical exam on June 10th, we spend the mornings studying after the Randøya trip. But since the weather is great and we want to make the most of the warmth, the bright sunshine, and the steel blue sky, we spend every afternoon by the lake, swimming.

Last afternoon together & campfire

On June 7th, we already had our last campfire together with our 'Outdoor Education' group. We had originally planned to do it after the exam, but Claire has to fly back to the USA on the morning of June 9th. So we just moved it up. First, we all meet by the lake and spend the late afternoon/early evening there.

On June 10th, I have my practical exam. It goes great! First, I am asked questions and given tasks about 'Map & Compass', which I can solve without any problems. Then I have to take the kayak or canoe paddle, which is in the exam room. Using the kayak paddle, I explain and demonstrate different paddle strokes, how to properly adjust and hold the paddle, etc. Finally, I have to show various knots on a rope that are important for boating, climbing, and other outdoor activities. Everything goes smoothly! I'm excited to see my grade, but if I don't get an A, I don't know what will (in Norway, grades range from A to F).

Farewell Party

On the evening of June 10th, we celebrate a farewell party with our 'Outdoor Education' course. We hold it again in the forest right behind the campus, where we also had the campfire at the beginning of the week. Since the mosquitoes are unbearable, we make a fire again today. There will be music, drinks, and dancing until late at night. There are also some goodbyes, as not everyone will stay until June 15th. When I go to bed around half past two in the morning, the sky is still not properly dark. For a few weeks now, I have noticed that the sky doesn't get dark enough to see the stars. Only a few bright stars can still be seen if you look closely.

Fish Market in Kristiansand & last errands

On Saturday morning, June 12th, Maike and I walk to the fish market in Kristiansand.

Afterwards, we go to the City Center to get some final things for our trip, which we will go on after the official end of the semester.

Packing & Moving out

We spend June 12th and 13th almost entirely washing laundry and packing. By the evening of June 13th, everything is finally packed. In the morning of June 14th, Maike and I drop off the majority of our luggage at the International Office of the university. We were able to organize a room there where we can store our luggage while we are on our trip. So we only travel with our large backpacks and a few other pieces of luggage, instead of a car packed to the roof. It's much more comfortable that way. On the way back, before heading back to Kristiansand on the ferry to Denmark, I can pick up the luggage again.

On June 15th, we leave our apartment and the campus and start our trip.

Thank you!

Now that my semester abroad in Norway is officially over, I want to thank my family and especially my parents for their support. Since the acceptance to Norway came quite late and spontaneously last winter, and I had to get a lot of equipment - especially winter mountain equipment - in a short period of time, which I was not familiar with, you were a great help and took care of me! So in the end, I didn't freeze in the mountains. Thank you for that and thank you for generally supporting me and helping me with my plans!

And now?

I have decided to stay in Norway for a few more weeks and travel around. Thanks to my car and the 'right to roam' which allows me to camp in the wild, I am relatively flexible. I would like to do some great hikes like Kjerag and Trolltunga and visit Oslo. I don't know the details yet. I have planned about a month, so three to four weeks.

Since these adventures will definitely be impressive and great again, I will continue to write travel blog posts about them. However, I will probably only be able to do this when I am back in Germany, as electricity and internet will probably be scarce for the time being.

I'm looking forward to a hopefully impressive and amazing journey and above all to seeing you again very soon!!!

Until then,                                                                                            Sara