Sam and Caleb: Gone North

Episode 37. We chat with Jana, who moved from Czechia to Hemsedal, Norway. Jana first visited Norway as a seasonal worker and has now settled here. We discuss ski resorts, Norway's healthcare system, sick leave, tax cards, and life in Hemsedal. 

Topics: afterski, downhill biking, D numbers, NAV, Jeseníky Mountains, Prague beer bikes

Episode 36. A discussion about permanent residence permits in Norway. We chat about our own paths to permanent residency. This will vary depending on your home country, current visa, etc. Best tip: always follow your UDI checklist and contact UDI directly if anything is unclear to you. 

We also include a chat about summer trips, disaster movies, and other tangents.

Episode 35. We chat with a good friend of Sam's, Robin McMichael. Robin is a Brit living in the UK who works for Fuller's and quite enjoys football. We focus both in this UK-centric chat. Fittingly, Brentford F.C. and London Pride dominate the conversation.

Check out The Bell & Crown next time you're in Chiswick. 

Topics: Ceilidh weddings, Brentfjord, Griffin Brewery, Fronty-arrr, Gregg's, a bus stop in Hounslow

Episode 34. Tony Sailer (episode 11) joins us again for a chill cruise through reporting a child's birth abroad, embassy visits, sports, splitboarding, and of course beers. Tony is a Wisconsinite who moved to Norway in 2018. We chat about Oslo Brewing Company, ACCN's upcoming Independence Day Celebration in Frognerparken, and the community here.

Topics: OBC collabs, Sod's law, private labels, NFL games in Europe, Redcoats, mountaineering

The episode about feriepenger and summer. We chat about words that are a bit odd when translated, summer weather, trips, and summer beers. Our focus this time is on styles from Graff Brygghus, BrewDog, and Sierra Nevada. Festival Finnskogen, Untappd, and grapefruit spoons are thrown into the mix. 

Episode 32. We chat with Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, Norse Atlantic Airways' Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer. Lasse is a well traveled Norwegian who studied several years in Maryland. We discuss Norse's backstory, bases, and routes. 

Topics: Towson, Baltimore, Sir Francis Scott Key, studying abroad, avgeeks, 787s, Transatlantic

Episode 31. Back for Round 2, we chat with Mike Rawson. Mike moved to Oslo from California in 2012. This time we focus on Norway's biggest holiday, 17. May / Syttende Mai, which is just around the corner. We also talk pubs, fashion trends, and of course pub quizzes. 

Check out The Magical Mystery Quiz on FB for upcoming quizzes.

Topics: Bunad police, Twister, Barnetoget, St. George's Day, Piknik i parken, Take it to the Top

Episode 30. Back on to tell us the latest baseball happenings, we chat with Joe Rollwagen. Joe is an American who has spearheaded the creation of Oslo's newest baseball club, Vålerenga. We chat about the 2022 Eliteserien season, which just recently started. 2022 is the inaugural season for Vålerenga baseball. 

Check out Vålerenga Baseball on their Facebook page or in action at Rommen Ballpark.

Topics: AL Central, Tenerife, airfare, hobby sports, youth development, European Cup (baseball)

Episode 29. Just in time for påske holiday, we chat about getting around in Norway. We discuss car hire apps and also mass transit options. For many, owning a car here is not a requirement. We also talk about Kystbussen, The Norwegian arm, and magic robot cars. 

Episode 28. We talk to Ka Man Mak, a Brit who moved to Norway initially in 2007. She has studied here in Oslo and, among other things, founded The Olso Desk. We chat about moving to Norway, studying here, and generally trying to "fit in" as a journalist and parent.  We also dive into the important bank account opening discussion. A challenge all too familiar for many of us here. 

Check out The Oslo Desk at www.oslodesk.com, Facebook, and YouTube. They also have a podcast, TODcast on Spotify and elsewhere.

Topics: journalism, racism, podcasting, bank accounts, Valid IDs, parenting, cultural differences