Learn from the best. One of my biggest goals is for us immigrants to help each other to adapt, fall in love with Norway and feel at home. It’s valuable to learn from each others’ experiences. That’s why I’d like to interview immigrants that I admire and who have succeeded in making Norway their home.
Yaneluz Jimenez came from Venezuela and is now a successful zumba instructor in Stavanger. Not only she is well adapted, but she also spreads good vibes through dancing. Zumba is a latin rhythm and has been extremely popular in Norway nowadays.
1) Why did you move to Norway?
I moved to Norway with my family because of my husband’s work. At first, he was alone for a few months and then I came with my children after finishing some important things in my country. It was not easy for me because I had to leave my beloved family (especially my mother) and leave a great job that I loved. It was difficult!
2) What is the good side of living in Norway?
The good side of living in Norway is its people, incredible people. Once you win their trust, they treat you like family. This country’s natural beauty is incredible. Safety and health care are valuable benefits, specially when you have children.
3) What were your biggest challenges at the beginning?
The language and the weather. Learning Norwegian was difficult for me, specially reading.
I felt the weather was making fun of me. When I thought it was not so cold, I was freezing, and when I thought it was very cold, I was dying of heat.
Until one day a Norwegian friend told me: Yane, in Norway there is no such a thing as bad weather, just a bad choice of clothes. You must dress according to season. And we went shopping. From that day on I’ve never suffered again from cold or heat. hahaha
4) What do you do to make Norway your home?
My work makes me feel so happy in this country. I am a Zumba Instructor and I love seeing the happy faces of so many people from different countries, especially the Norwegians, learning and dancing my Latin music. It feels amazing! It helps me and helps them cope with the bad days we sometimes have, due to stress, work, children, with anything. The love I receive from so many people makes me forget a little how far I am from my beautiful country. Seeing my family and especially my children so happy, speaking Norwegian perfectly and accepting Norwegian culture as their second culture is incredible.
Living in Norway has really been an extraordinary experience.
Very good.