Opening Doors
This week has been all about opening doors, literally and figuratively. On Tuesday evening, I ventured to the Halden fortress with my Roving colleagues. We explored the many levels of the fortress and stopped for some photos. As we were exiting the structure, we were greeted by sunset colors illuminating the massive wooden door. What an incredible metaphor to represent this experience and journey; serving as a Fulbright Roving Scholar is certainly opening doors for invaluable learning opportunities that I would not otherwise have.
The Fremmedspråksenteret, the National Center for Languages and Learning, in Halden, is a sponsor of the Fulbright Roving Scholar program, so we visited the Center to learn more about the educational system in Norway. After our first day of learning and rich discussion, the Rover team was treated to a lovely Indian meal (at Butt’s Cuisine!) and then we set out to burn the excess calories by walking to the fortress. We explored the massive structure, examined the signs and placards, and regrouped at the top…at sunset…all in disbelief that we were in Norway experiencing these things together. That reflection was then reemphasized with the breathtaking view of the entrance/exit doors- oh the doors of Norway!
Later in the week, the doors of Edvard Munch VGS were opened to all of us (twice, actually, because of a fire drill- ha!). We were welcomed into classrooms to chat with pupils and provide any insight into questions about the United States the students posed. We ate our lunch in the teachers’ lounge and were invited to share some streusel celebrating a teacher’s 50th birthday.
On my own, I attended a ‘Language Café’ class at the University of Oslo, to practice speaking Norwegian, and explored a lovely community of small homes in the outskirts of Oslo. European bread does not upset my stomach (yay!) so I tried a pistachio bolle (roll) at the Mjøl bakeri. I also visited a new café around the corner (Pust) where I ordered a “decaf double latte with oat milk, to go” in Norwegian without the barista responding in English.
So many doors have been opened because of this Fulbright opportunity: schools, classrooms, cafés, museums, restaurants, grocery stores, busses, trains, subways, apartments, outdoor patios, and even the windows of my apartment- that open at the top and open as a ‘door’. I am trying to relish every minute of this experience because I realize that it is an incredible gift. There are so many doors yet to open in Norway and I’m most grateful for each and every one.
2025-2026 Fulbright Roving Scholars
