What I've Learnt From Studying Abroad

I know... it's been a while! The last few months have been a whirlwind of exams, making sure I'd seen everything I'd wanted to in Oslo before I left, moving back home, and adjusting to life back in Blighty. Towards the end of my time abroad I'd felt like I was ready to come back home, but I found coming back harder than I thought I would.

It takes a while to get used to somewhere, and by the time I left Oslo, I'd really carved out a life for myself. Strangely enough, moving back home felt like leaving behind normality and what had become my main life. It was weird losing my independence, leaving my new friends and returning to old ones, getting used to another lifestyle, and just generally returning to my old life as a very different person.

Initially, I was terrified of moving abroad and having to start over again, but now I was scared of going back to my old life, when I felt that I'd changed and grown so much. Living alone, in a strange new country, really makes you aware of who you are, and I've learnt so much. It's taking time, but I'm slowly adjusting back to my life here, with memories which I know will last a lifetime. 

5 Underrated (And Cheap!) Things To Do In Oslo

I just had one of those wonderful weekends which really made me appreciate just how lucky I am. Lucky to have the chance to live and study in a beautiful Scandinavian city. Lucky to have amazing people in my life. Lucky to have the chance to really make the most of my time in Oslo, and to experience everything I possibly can.

Having visitors always makes me fall in love with Oslo more. Seeing this incredible city through the eyes of someone who has never been here before, seeing the awe at the vast, sweeping landscapes, and general delight at the way of life. A quick google will give you a long list of things to do and places to see here, but I wanted to add my own suggestions. These are five of my favourite things to do in Oslo, and things which I'd say are supremely underrated, like Oslo itself really.

1. Tobogganing

Happiness Toolkit | What Makes Me Get Up Every Day

My yoga instructor is a bit of a babe, if only for the reason that at the start of every class, he talks about things which always get me thinking and contemplating, which then often leads to inspiration for a post. The other day he was discussing the concept that if we can identify what makes us happy, then we can replicate this every day and always be content in life.

Although I love the sentiment, this seems a bit simplistic to me. Life throws curveballs at us, or it may not be possible to recreate exact situations which brought you joy. A hedonistic lifestyle and simply living for pleasure may sound appealing initially, but we all know this is unrealistic and unsustainable. However, this got me thinking about what really makes me happy. Like an inner glow, little knot of anticipation and excitement within me, involuntary smiles and the contentment of my cat stretching out decadently on the sofa, bathing in the soft glow of the sun.

Lying on a beach, book in hand and a pina colada next to me; reaching the top of Machu Picchu in time to see the sunrise over the magnificent peaks; winter walks with my family in the countryside, far away from everything; dinners with friends where you talk about anything and everything; all of these are moments when I'm at my most elated. I realised that specific as these moments are, I could clearly see the things which complete my life.

(Side note: does anyone else find selecting pictures for your post far more difficult than actually writing it?! Like, is this relevant/interesting/aesthetically appealing? Idk, I just know I like this jacket and the fact that I'm smiling so much my eyes disappear, so there's a highly tenuous connection to this post)

My Weekend Guide to Tromsø in Norway

People come to Tromsø for the Northern Lights, but I'll stay, and return for everything else this special place has to offer. I went there purely with the intention of seeing the famous Aurora Borealis (we saw the green Northern cloud... it was definitely the lights but not quite on the level you see on the pictures), but I would have gone even with the knowledge that I wouldn't see the lights in all their glory. I do however have a rather lovely selfie of my friend and I with the lights, which is totally 100% real and definitely not just a picture of us in front of a large poster of them....

I've never been so far north before, and it was pretty special to get to visit the Arctic Circle. It's a place of endless wonders, of mountains smothered in snow, of sea so incredibly clear and vibrant the bottom was visible peering down from the bridge, of picture perfect houses, and the general feeling that you were living in a snow globe temporarily.

Tips For Adjusting To Life Abroad

Having lived in Oslo for three weeks now, I think I'm definitely qualified to dole out my advice for getting used to living in different country... right?

After finding it a bit weird and overwhelming for a little bit, which is completely normal I suppose, I'm now loving my life and have no regrets whatsoever about choosing to study here for six months. I had high hopes of moving into my accommodation and immediately finding an amazing group of people and becoming super close and my life basically resembling Friends except in Oslo and not New York.

But life isn't fiction, it's not always glossy and glamorous and easy, and making real friendships takes time. My dad once told me that you spend your first term of university trying to make friends, and the second term trying to get rid of them! 

Sightseeing in Oslo | Diary Two

Today, a girl I've hung around with a bit over the last week mentioned how she was finding it weird settling in here, because she has lots of 'hi-bye' friends. At first I was like um is this a new trend I haven't heard of or something, but then she explained that it's people you know, you'll say hi and smile, but you don't really know where you stand. Like can you invite a 'hi-bye' friend for coffee? Discuss how much you miss your pet? Lust over furry bobble hats in shops with? (I'm a changed woman, the cold air got to me)

Life In Oslo | First Impressions

A change of scenery must have been what I needed, because since moving to Oslo, I've been struck by inspiration. Not just for my blog, but in all sorts of ways- from auditioning for a choir tonight (wish me luck!), to planning trips to other parts of Scandinavia, and just to be productive in many different ways.

Thoughts From An English Girl in Oslo | Diary One

If you read my last post, you'll know that I've just recently moved to Oslo, and even after 3 days here, it's been such an experience. I'm planning on doing a series of posts about living and studying in another country, and exploring this beautiful Scandinavian city.