Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 9, 2011 in
Norway 2011 On Friday we had a great day in Harstad. We went to a beautiful stone church from the 1300′s and then walked to a museum featuring artifacts of Norway’s history. After that, we had a lunch at the University and then some of us had business meetings. Then we explored the city of Harstad one last time and did our final shopping. Later after going to the sauna, taking a nap, and a TACO (not fish) supper, Harstad put on a going away party and invited their international students to the student pub. We counted and there were nine nationalities at the party. We all had a great time and enjoyed playing life-size Jenga!
Now we must pack and leave this beautiful place. But hopefully the friendships we have made here will foster an everlasting academic relationship between Harstad University and Minot State.
-Jacey
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 8, 2011 in
Norway 2011 The time has nearly come to where we must depart from our new friends in Harstad, Norway. They have given us more than just friendship but opportunity to explore possible adventures in the future for the young and old generations teaching and studying at Minot State University and Harstad University College.
All will be missed from the generous hospitality of our partners at Harstad College to the staff at the Clarion and even the people in the community that have been able to communicate with us throughout the day. One thing I will take from this trip as I continue to grow in my life is this Scandanavian saying that was shared during this visit.
‘Many of fools can pass as a wise man, if only they kept their mouth shut’
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 7, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Below are more photos that have been taken over the last two days.
-Tyson Snelling
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 7, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Over the last week I have been able to take photos of many different landscapes around the Harstad area through walks, hikes and biking (Jan’s bicycle). Below are an assortment of different photos from our day in Brokenes, drive back, bike trip from Jan’s house, walks in the morning and bike rides in the morning. Hope you enjoy!
-Tyson Snelling
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 6, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Today was filled with awe, emotions, and excitement! We visited Trastad Samlinger which was an institution for people with intellectual disabilities in the Trastad area. The institution is closed now and has been turned into a museum. The bottom floor has been kept as much like the institution kept it while it was open and the top floor exhibits beautiful and meaningful art pieces done by people with disabilities. I had alot of emotions at the institution. Mostly sad because of the way things were there but also it brought a sense of hope and encouragement because we have moved on from those times. People believed that the people who were living at the institution could not learn. But the art gallery (the top floor) we viewed today was like looking at the work of a professional.
Next we walked to Trastad Produkter. We ate a wonderfully prepared meal, learned about Trastad Produkter, and went on a tour. At Trastad Produkter, people with disabilities are able work making candles, splitting and sorting wood, making engraved items, cutting wood, and making various other items to sell at their store in Harstad. It seemed like all of the workers enjoyed their jobs and when we went around to each room they were making jokes with us and very happy we came to visit. We left Tradstd Produkter with many gifts because they told us they wanted us to remember them and then the next time we came we would buy things from their store! Trastad Produkter had a very happy and encouraging work environment.
After our time in Trastad, Jan took us to an island so we could experience more of the beautiful scenery. Then we were dropped of in the city center of Harstad to do a little shopping. Now we are all getting ready to celebrate Max’s birthday at the student center with other students from Harstad University. Happy birthday Max!
-Jacey
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 5, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Today was a very productive day! We learned about Norwegian parliamentary system of government, Norweigan welfare system, and had many discussions about the next steps to implement the study abroad experience for both universities. After lunch, Dr. Bertsch, Tyson, and I were able to participate in a business class discussion about grocery store retail. It was a very interesting conversation because of the imense differences between America and Norway retail stores. It was great to get into a classroom at Harstad.
We were all invited to Jan’s house tonight and we took the long way to his house so we could enjoy the beautiful views of the fjords. Jan and his wife were so good to us. His wife prepared a Norweigan dinner and we had great conversation with many laughs. Someone (I won’t name any names) had a pretty embarrassing moment with a Norwegian tradition but it all ended in laughs. Our new saying of the trip is what happens in Norway, stays in Norway!
-Jacey
The picture is a beautiful view from Jan’s back porch.
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 5, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Today, Dr. Bertsch and I had the opportunity to team up with Nils, a professor at Harstad and one of his students, Karlie from British Columbia. Together we marched up the mountain called Ayia at 6:45am before our meetings in the morning. At the top of the mountain the view can oversea all of Harstad and the surrounding area with fjords, mountains an
d forestry. Because we were in a tight squeeze of time Dr. Bertsch decided to slide like a penguin down Aiya in order to make up time. So, in the photo to the left, you can see us sliding on our stomachs like the friendly penguins in the southern hemisphere.
-Tyson Snelling Below are photos of the view on top of Ayia Mountain.
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 4, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Monday was filled with exciting PowerPoint presentations, strong discussions for future student exchange possibilities and an informative lecture about the Norwegian heritage and the history of the country. Singid, the coordinator of International Affiars shared one of the Harstad University College model of ‘happiness outside the college is happiness inside the college’ in her presentation.
After the work day was over I was giving the opportunity to drive to a small town called Borkenes with Jan and Brent where we ate halibut fish, potatoes and vegetables with his beautiful wife Astrid. After supper Jan let me borrow his bike and took a scenic route on the highway overlooking fjords of beautiful landscape that is impossible to explain by words (I will post pictures tomorrow). Little did I know 25km to Jan was actually 34km and took me nearly two hours but I managed to stay on the bike even if I was moving slower than a snail.
-Tyson Snelling
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 4, 2011 in
Norway 2011 
It has been a day or two since my last post and a lot has happened in a short while. We have landed in a town 30 minutes outside of Harstad, where Jan, our host, helped us board the bus that would take us to our hotel overlooking the fjord in Harstad.
A casual waffle, tea and coffee provided by the hotel for an afternoon plate of snacks filled our stomachs for a an hour as we walked up and down icy walkways browsing shops in downtown Harstad. The walk was followed by a nice relaxing sauna 
overlooking mountains and the tide rolling in and out. At the moment it felt as if we were with Otis Redding, sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tides roll away.
-Tyson Snelling
Posted by studyabroadblog on Apr 4, 2011 in
Norway 2011 Harstad is beautiful! We arrived in Harstad just yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. Our bus ride from the airport featured beautiful scenery and very vivid rainbows. Everyone was in awe of the beauty of the landscape.
Sunday was a very relaxed day (except for our very bumpy landing into Evenes) which was great because we were all able to settle in to our hotel, explore the city, and prepare for the week. We enjoyed walking around the slushy streets even though most shops were closed because it was Sunday. In the evening we ate at the hotel and made educated guesses about what we were eating. It was all very good but we just did not know what it was.
Today we had a full day of lectures, tours, and conversation with faculty from Harstad University. We were treated to t-shirts, food, maps, literature, and sticky notes! Today was a good introduction to people and the university. We had a discussion about possible exchange programs between our universities. We are looking forward to going more in depth tomorrow about specific programs.
We are loving it here and we are constantly commenting on the beautiful scenery. It is a little cold, but nothing we are not used to!
-Jacey
