Life in Norway Show Episode 39: One of Norway's most famous immigrants, Maria Amelie, tells us about her life as a teenage asylum seeker, how she got to return to Norway after being deported, and her new business Startup Migrants.

If you were in Norway around ten years ago, chances are you'll know the name Maria Amelie. Around ten years ago, she was a household name.

Her book Illegally Norwegian documented her story of her teenage years and beyond as an illegal resident in Norway. The media storm around the book and her subsequent deportation ended up changing many minds and even the law on immigration. Maria was quickly offered a job and obtained a work permit to return.

Today Maria works on startup migrants, a book that has become a business with the aim of changing many more minds in Norway and all across Europe. Her story is controversial, inspiring and fascinating all at the same time. I'm delighted to say we finally found some time for Maria to come on the show. This one is a must-listen!

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/maria-amelie-interview/

Life in Norway Show Episode 38: An interview with Knut Paasche from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, all about finding Viking ships in Norway.

When it comes to the history of Scandinavia, few things are more iconic than Viking ships. They turned the Vikings from farmers into explorers, raiders and traders, cementing their place in history.

In recent years, more Viking ship burial sites are being discovered all over Scandinavia. But why now, more than 1000 years later? To find out, I invited Knut Paasche, an expert on Viking ship archaeology onto the show. He works as the head of Digital Archaeology at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU).

We talk about what it's like to work as an archaeologist in 2020, and how digital tools are transforming the field and leading to more knowledge about the Vikings. We also hear about some of its favorite Viking ship archaeology projects to date.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/viking-ship-archaeology/

Life in Norway Show Episode 37: What's it like to leave the sunshine of Portugal for the mild summers and chilly winters of Oslo? How can you find work in Norway as an architect? We answer these questions and more in the latest episode of the podcast.

More and more foreigners living in Norway are sharing their experiences on YouTube. I already spoke to one of them, Pame, on episode 22 about her experiences relocating from Mexico. Today, I'm speaking to another.

Mon moved from Portugal to study in Norway in 2014 and hasn't gone back. Today she works as an architect in Oslo. She has also built a substantial following on YouTube by sharing videos about her thoughts on life here in Norway.

We talk about the differences between life in Portugal and life in Norway, and how she found a job as an architect in Oslo. We also dig into the details of some of her most popular videos.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/from-portugal-to-norway/

Life in Norway Show Episode 36: In a break from the usual schedule, we update everyone on the latest situation with the coronavirus in Norway.

Hi everyone. I've shifted the schedule around to bring you this short special update. The original episode will still air so look out for that in a week or so.

The topic today is as I'm sure everyone will expect is the coronavirus in Norway. COVID-19 has disrupted everyday life in Norway like no other time outside of war. Much of the country is shut down with tens of thousands of people including me in home quarantine due to recent travels.

Today, I talk about some of the most frequently asked questions related to the coronavirus outbreak in Norway.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/coronavirus-podcast/

Life in Norway Show Episode 35: The last few years have been uncertain times for Brits living all across Europe, and in Norway. I'm joined today by Richard Wood, the British Ambassador, to talk Brexit, the future of the UK's relationship with Norway, and his life in Oslo.

The podcast is back! Yes, after a few months break, the number of emails I received from people asking for its return have worked their magic. I have a few episodes already recorded and it feels great to be back behind the mic!

To kick-things off, I'm welcoming Richard Wood, the British Ambassador to Norway, to the Life in Norway hotseat. Of course, Brexit is on the agenda, but we also talk about the role of an Ambassador in 2020 and how that's changed over the years, plus Richard's thoughts and impressions on Norway and Norwegian life.

Richard is actually the second Ambassador to come on the show. All the way back in episode 6, I spoke to Artur Wilczynski, who was then the Canadian Ambassador. If you enjoy this show, that one is also well worth a listen.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/british-ambassador-interview/

Life in Norway Show Episode 34: What's it like living on a small island in northern Norway? We find out as the Life in Norway Show chats to some of the people who call Skrova their home.

I'm just back from a working trip to Skrova, a tiny island in the north of Norway. Less than 200 people live here, and it takes a 30-minute ferry ride from Skrova to reach it. I was there to cover a story on a bike sharing scheme, but I quickly discovered an island with outgoing locals and a love for photography.

It's an absolutely beautiful place and the perfect spot to unwind and relax. But what's it like to live there? That's the question I wanted to answer, so I spoke to a few people who call the island their home.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/skrova-island-life/

Life in Norway Show Episode 33: Michelin star chef Heidi Bjerkan from Credo joins the show to chat about their sustainability award and working in the food industry in central Norway.

Back in February, Europe's foodies had to check a map. The Michelin Nordic guide included not one but two restaurants in Trondheim, giving the city its first ever Michelin stars.

One of those restaurants, Credo, also picked up the new Michelin Nordic Guide Sustainability Award. At the recent NTNU Big Challenge science festival, Credo head chef and owner Heidi Bjerkan was on hand to present not her food, but how they compost and enourage their customers to do the same. It's a vital part of the sustainability circle of food systems that led to Credo's awards.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode33

Life in Norway Show Episode 32: Wil Lee-Wright of Trondheim's Britannia Hotel welcomes me for lunch as we chat about the hotel's renovation and what luxury experiences are available for visitors to central Norway.

Trondheim recently saw the reopening of the historic Britannia Hotel at the heart of the city. It's one of a number of top-tier hotels to open in the country recently, in what seems to be a trend towards luxury tourism.

When I was invited for lunch and a look around by a former guest of the Life in Norway Show, I got to see it for myself. It's an impressive place, the likes of which we've not had in Trondheim before.

Over lunch, we chat about what the Britannia is trying to be, both for international travellers and for locals here in Trondheim, and about the possibilities for luxury travel here in central Norway.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode32

Life in Norway Show Episode 31: Curtis Rojak from Viking Biking joins us to chat about how much he loves the outdoors lifestyle in Oslo, so much so that he started a tour business to share that love with visitors.

There's plenty of ways to embrace the Norwegian outdoors lifestyle even if you live in the capital city. One person who knows that better than most is Curtis Rojak, founder of Viking Biking.

He joins the Life in Norway Show to talk about the Norwegian 'friluftsliv', his love for Oslo, and where exactly he takes visitors on his cycling and walking tours.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode31

Life in Norway Show Episode 30: Andrew Sykes is a British author and long-distance cyclist. He chose to take on an almighty challenge, cycling from the south of Spain to the very north of Norway. Here's his story!

A few years ago, British long-distance cyclist and writer Andrew P. Sykes cycled from the south of Europe all the way to Nordkapp at the very northern tip of the Norwegian mainland. Rather him than me! Having said that I am rather envious, as such a trip must take you through places the majority of us won't ever see.

Andrew has chronicled his previous long-distance journeys in the books Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggieand Along the Med on a Bike Called Reggie. To complete the trilogy, Spain to Norway on a Bike Called Reggie, is now available.

Full show notes: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/episode30