Life in Norway Show Episode 89: Friend of the show Lorelou Desjardins is back to talk about becoming a Norwegian citizen and her latest book, ‘How To Be Norwegian'.
Lorelou from ‘A Frog in the Fjord' is always a popular guest on the show. As she’s just written and released a new book, it felt like the ideal time to invite her back to talk about all things Norwegian culture.
We talk about her own journey to becoming a Norwegian citizen, and some of the cultural insights she shares in her new book, ‘How To Be Norwegian.’ It's available worldwide via Amazon, and in Norway through Norli and Ark.
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Introducing Lorelou
Lorelou Desjardins is a French lawyer, writer, and blogger who has lived in Norway since 2009, following a global journey through seven countries.
Best known for her blog ‘A Frog in the Fjord’ and her frequent contributions to Norwegian newspaper VG, she shares humorous and thoughtful reflections on life in Norway and what it takes to integrate into the culture.
Through books, newspaper columns, workshops, and even TEDx talks, Lorelou helps international audiences understand everything from friluftsliv to the subtleties of the Norwegian workplace.
Becoming a Norwegian Citizen
Both Lorelou and I have become Norwegian citizens in the past few years. As such, I was keen to find out her expeirence of the application process, which didn’t go as smoothly as my own!
She also shares a word of warning about applying for Norwegian citizenship, which may trip up people with a certain type of job.
Lorelou explains that she does “feel” Norwegian now, and that feeling is only enhanced when she visits France.
A Deep-Dive into Norwegian Culture
I described Lorelou’s new book ‘How To Be Norwegian’ as a ‘cultural guidebook.’ Rather than a sequel to the popular ‘A Frog in the Fjord: One Year in Norway’, the new book is a witty guide to Norwegian culture, full of useful insights and funny illustrations.
Curious about the book? You can actually read an excerpt here on Life in Norway. Lorelou was kind enough to let me republish her short chapter on how to party like a Norwegian.
The book is available now worldwide via Amazon, and in Norway through Norli and Ark.
Links from the show
- Lorelou’s company and blog, A Frog in the Fjord
- The new book, How To Be Norwegian
