Why Norway? A Closing

We opened this book talking about a phrase I heard often in Norway: "Welcome to Norway!" Used ironically the natives basically tried to help me understand some of the beautiful and odd peculiarities of their country while trying to help me join them in the fun.

However there's a phrase, or more specifically, a question, that a foreigner like myself will hear much more often here: "Why Norway?". Usually that's also followed by "And do you plan to stay?". So much for feeling welcome.

The Questioning

These questions can easily be as jarring as the culture shock us foreigners sometimes experience in Norway. I didn't, and still to this day, understand completely why Norwegians often ask such questions. These questions are usually the first or second thing they ask you!

Norway is in fact a great country, a shining example for the rest of the world really of how to build and foster a society. This is a country that ranks incredibly high in terms of quality-of-life, equality and many more important dimensions.

So when I hear this question I wonder why do Norwegians have such a lack of self confidence in themselves and their country? Is it really so hard to understand why someone would want to be here? At times it has even made me ask myself the very same questions. As a result it has often created a lot of personal conflict while I've tried to navigate and adapt to life in Norway.

My Answer

There is of course no simple answer to these questions. For foreigners your answers are obviously going to be unique to your own situation. Personally I've tried many different answers with varying levels of success.

However the answer that I believe to be the most accurate is actually rather simple:

Why Norway? Because I love Norway, and as part of that I want Norway to love me back.

And this is a love that is not easy to obtain. But I know that through the struggles, the failures to adapt and my many missteps it's going to be worth it. I believe this through-and-through not just for myself but for you, the reader as well whether you are Norwegian or a foreigner like myself.

Because with increased collaboration and understanding of each other there's really no limit to what we can achieve together. Perhaps even one day these questions won't be so commonplace.

The Great Potential

Because I see such great business potential in Norway and Norwegians themselves. I hope you also can see that within these pages. As it was certainly not my intention to imply that Norwegians are bad at business or worse, impossible to work with.

However to bridge our cultures, be it American to Norwegian or otherwise, both sides will need adjust how we interact and perceive each other. That's going to take time. Even after a few years here in Norway I'm still learning, still making mistakes, and still on occasion being way too American. I try to make less mistakes each day and in the process, I'm getting closer to establishing this cultural bridge.

Owning Failure

Along that journey of building this bridge there were, of course, many failures. My company didn't successfully expand to the Norwegian market. I managed to lose a fair amount of money for several parties, myself included. I drove a few relationships with Norwegians right into the ground, so much so that even to this day they avoid me in social or business settings.

Despite all that I can however own up to those failures and face them head on because that's what I was taught to do in Silicon Valley. There the path to success is often dotted with many failures which is perfectly normal there. You might even say we embrace failure.

After all, we like to say "You'll never hit a homerun if you don't take swing."

It's more important to try and fail than to not try at all. As with each failure you'll become stronger and wiser. There's also always a second chance in America for redemption and to us success is the ultimate vindication of any previous wrongs.

Serendipity

While discussing those failures with Norwegians a curious thing happened that gave me much hope. Often they would interrupt me – which is not a common things for Norwegians to do! – and not allow me to categorize them as failures.

They would say: "Sean, you absolutely did not fail. You challenged us and created an impact. For that we are grateful." This was probably the nicest thing a Norwegian could ever say to me.

And they were right because the same crazy new American business concepts I was trying to push forward are now being used by no less than five other Norwegian companies.

This is exactly how a society can benefit greatly from increased international collaboration. New ideas and new experiences help to foster new opportunities. New perspectives and new unions can build magic.

There's an English word that well encapsulates this and the word itself even sounds a bit magical. It's a word that you don't often hear in Norway as there is probably no good Norwegian translation for it. That word is serendipity. It suggests that through chance encounters or developments something great can happen. However for serendipity to happen you have to have an open mind and, more importantly, open eyes lest you miss the opportunity for it even when it's right in front of your face.

Do You Plan to Stay?

Let's get back to that other question I'm often asked: "Do you plan to stay?" The truth is I could leave tomorrow or in 10 years. It doesn't really matter in the end. The Norwegian experience will always be with me and part of me forever.

It has left an indelible mark on how I perceive the world and my place in it. I now simply see this question as more as a test from Norwegians. Trying to determine both my own strength and loyalty to this great country.

Because as we've previously discussed one must suffer and struggle here in Norway to earn the great honor of calling this country home. So I now use my answer more as an opportunity to catch the inquisitive Norwegian off guard:

"Yes I love it here! Amazing weather!"

or

"Yes, I'm thinking about getting on your welfare system and riding that out for as long as possible!"

Neither answer wins me much favor but I enjoy introducing Norwegians to the great American pastime that is sarcasm. They almost never pick up on it and that's perfectly alright.

Final Thoughts

Different cultures may never be able to truly understand one another. However, we still have much to share with each other. And Norway has much to share with you. The country is opening up to us foreigners despite the perceived walls that may appear to be in the way.

I hope these pages have served as metaphorical latter to help you climb them. For you Norwegians out there, I hope these same pages have opened your eyes to the challenges us foreigners sometimes have climbing those walls. This book is my humble contribution to help us meet at the top of that wall.

The view up here can be as breathtaking as any fjord.

It's not going to be easy to climb that wall however, Norwegians will want to keep pushing you down as you try, driving you down to the same level as them if you dare to be bold and pop your head above what's considered acceptable. They'll push you down and try to force you to become just like them.

I encourage you to not let them be successful in doing so. Yes, you must adjust, both your perception and how you conduct yourself here in this society. At times you'll have to step down a little in order to satisfy them. But regardless of where you come from, you have something to share with Norwegians. You'll learn a lot from them but ensure they are also learning from you and from the rich history of your own culture.

So please allow me to answer that first question in the most American way possible.

Why Norway?

Because why the hell not?

—Welcome to Norway.