Five years ago I became officially Norwegian. The ceremony was beautiful. The mayor of a town near Stavanger had a touching speech. I quote an excerpt: “Dere er nå nordmenn. Dere trenger Norge og Norge trenger dere.” Now you are Norwegians. You need Norway and Norway needs you.
I felt such a strong sense of belonging.
That’s one of the biggest feelings I’ve ever experienced:
Being adopted by a country. It’s hard to explain. Since I moved to Norway, my plan was to stay forever. However, I had no idea if I wanted to become a Norwegian citizen back then. I have an international family: Brazilian-Norwegian. Our hearts belong to both countries. In the beginning, I did’t think it was possible. Today I know it is.
A blog is born
On the same year, 2019, I had a birthday party and I invited both Norwegians and foreigners. People from France, Germany, Africa, America, Brazil, everyone was on the dance floor. I know. Unlike many Norwegian parties, everybody was dancing. So I looked around and I saw this beautiful people smiling, having a good time in an engaging atmosphere. They were dancing to all kinds of music. I was having the party my way. In Norway . And I was making everyone happy. It hit me: I was making Norway my home. By being myself. And I was bringing a small crowd together with me. Yes, it’s possible and it’s happening. On the next day, I created this blog Making Norway My Home .com
My purpose is to help immigrants understand and include themselves in the Norwegian culture while keeping their roots. I also encourage them to strengthen their self esteem. Yes, you can learn the language, the rules, the unspoken social codes and still be yourself. In the beginning, I tried so hard to fit in that I lost myself somewhere in the middle. It took me blood, sweat and tears to reinvent myself. Now I know that keeping my background, my joy, my personality are strengths, not weaknesses. I’ll never be like a person who was born Norwegian. And now I know that my skills can and have helped Norwegian society be better. I also know that some immigrants don’t make the effort to integrate themselves. Some prefere to live in a bubble. I’s like them to know that they can have it all. It doesn’t have to be either or. For this purpose, to help immigrants who wish a nearer contact and guidance, I’m currently developing a mentoring program. Please let me know if you are interested.
I love being Brazilian-Norwegian. I don’t like when people criticize or curse Norway as I don’t let anyone curse Brazil. My heart belongs to these two countries. I feel proud and rewarded when you, my reader, tells me that my counseling, my posts, have helped you be your best version, adapted in Norway.
The other side of the bridge
As a passionate communicator, I also work to help Norwegians understand immigrants who come from diverse cultures and backgrounds and who wish to be accepted and included. And guess what? They love it. Subscribe to our newsletter and you’ll know more about it.
For that reason (inclusion, building bridges), I often speak and write in Portuguese, English and Norwegian on my Instagram and Youtube.
I love Norway and I’m proud of being Brazilian-Norwegian.
If you’re new here, feel welcome to join our community.
Our values are: respect, love and joy.
Now tell me, how does Making Norway My Home help you be your best version in Norway? I’d love to read your comment. And if you’re new here, welcome. Put on your best hiking shoes and enjoy the journey.
Há cinco anos, tornei-me norueguesa.
Esse é um dos maiores sentimentos que já experimentei:
Ser adotada por um país.
No mesmo ano de 2019, criei o blog Making Norway My Home .com (tradução: Fazendo da Noruega meu lar)
O meu propósito é ajudar os imigrantes a compreender e a serem incluídos na cultura norueguesa, mantendo as suas raízes e fortalecendo a sua auto-estima.
Como comunicadora, também trabalho para ajudar os noruegueses a compreender os imigrantes que vêm de diversas culturas e origens e que desejam ser aceitos e incluídos.
Por essa razão, escrevo e falo muitas vezes nos 3 idiomas( português, inglês e norueguês).
Amo a Noruega e tenho orgulho de ser brasileira-norueguesa.
Se você é novo aqui, sinta-se bem-vindo para se juntar à nossa comunidade.
Nossos valores são: amor, respeito e alegria.
Agora me diga, como meu trabalho ajuda você a ser sua melhor versão? Vou adorar ler seu comentário.
Se você acabou de chegar, seja bem-vindo, bem-vinda. Coloque seus melhores sapatos de caminhada e aproveite essa jornada encantadora.