Safety

I’m from a small, rural town in Minnesota, where some people never lock their cars or the doors to their home. Before my departure to Norway, I chatted with two older neighbors who inquired of my time living abroad alone,

              Neighbors: “How will you get from one place to another? Are you going to rent a car? Norway is a large country, ya know…”

               Me: “No, I’m going to use public transportation.”

              Neighbors: “But you’re traveling with other people, right?”

               Me: “No. I’ll be traveling alone.”

               Neighbors: “Well, what if the bus doesn’t stop in front of the school?”

               Me: “Then, I will walk to the school.”

               Neighbors: “By yourself? Is that safe?”

I explained to them that Norway has a very efficient public transportation system and assured them that I’d be safe. I would be able to manage the different aspects of transportation, including walks alone to schools. I had lived abroad twice before, without a cell phone, so I was confident things would be fine.

 When my husband and I arrived in Norway, we were pleasantly surprised just how safe it was in the country’s biggest city. People were very quiet on the streets, busses, and trains, and people didn’t even make eye contact with you, much less approach you for any reason. There were always people coming and going and we never once got that ‘feeling’ that we were unsafe. I think my husband was relieved as well, because (while he never said anything out loud before we arrived here) perhaps he was a bit worried for my safety as well.

My husband is now back in the United States, and he has never inquired about my safety. Not because he doesn’t care, but because it isn’t a concern. I was, however, surprised by my students’ questions in an ungdomsskole (lower secondary school) this week, when they asked me about my safety in the United States.

               “Do you feel safe in the United States?”

“Do you own a gun?”

“Have you been in a school shooting?”

“Are you scared of the police?”

“Are you scared living in the United States?”

“Which cities in the United States do you tell your children NOT to visit?”

The students read a lot about American news, so it was quite sad and unsettling to hear their safety concerns. One student shared that their soccer team recently cancelled their trip to Minneapolis for safety reasons. I assured them that I felt safe in the United States, that I’d never been in a school shooting, and I was not scared to go to school.

Oddly enough, just as I said that, someone outside the room banged on the classroom door. I physically jumped and immediately my active shooter training kicked in; I looked to the teacher to lock the door and scanned the room for obstacles getting students to the window. The students, however, didn’t flinch, and the teacher looked at me, looked at the door, and then rolled their eyes. It was just a student being silly.

Ok. Maybe I really didn’t feel so safe in the United States…

Walking in the woods last weekend, my mind returned to the students’ questions about safety. Again, entrusting Google with my woodland hiking route, I arrived at a spot where the trail wasn’t clear. As I turned around, I realized that I couldn’t see the trail anywhere. If I were indeed lost, though, someone would come along shortly and lead the way. Never did I consider the thought of meeting a suspicious-looking person in the woods. I never needed any help, but I must admit that I wouldn’t be so adventurous walking alone in any woodland trails back in the US.

Back home, I go for walks frequently. The routes, though, are strategic; I vary my walking routes, and I never go out at the same time for multiple days in a row. When I do choose a walking plan, I pick paths with visible homes and trails that have some, but limited traffic. Even in rural areas, a car slowing down to pass me, back and forth, three times, sends me running home. I don’t feel safe. I admit it.

In Norway, I don’t worry about someone breaking into my apartment, I don’t worry about someone pulling out a gun in a crowd or a quiet alley, and I don’t worry about walking alone on a woodland trail. The students’ questions this week prompted some deep reflection on personal safety… I feel safe in the United States, yes…most of the time…but I always feel safe in Norway.