Nipissing University TILE Travel Course Norway 2024

Written by: Natalya Brown, Business and Economics                    Manuel Litalien, Social Welfare and Social Development For our last full day in Norway, we had to tear ourselves away from Breivoll Gård. Armed with hugs from our amazing host, Anne, we made our way by bus to Oslo and headed to the Anker Hotel. Taking the 505 to Oslo “I feel like we just got here,” was a common refrain on the bus ride. After stowing our gear, Jess and Esam accompanied us professors as we dropped by the DNT offices on Storgata to debrief and say an emotional goodbye to Glenn. After leaving the DNT offices, we headed to the Akershus Fortress, for a last bit of sightseeing. We took in some phenomenal views of Oslo from the fortress walls which date back to 1299. As we arrived five minutes before the closing of the Armed Forces Museum, we lamented that there were just some places we could not pack into our already jam-packed trip. Something for next time, we hope. The National Monument for Victims

Written by: Holly Gregory, Child and Family Studies This morning was a rush! I woke up at 9:40 am to read a message from Manuel that we were meeting at 10:00 am to go kayaking. I rushed around and made it down to the water just in time to meet Glenn there with all the kayaks out. Our ever-so-nice friend Glenn showed a small group of us how the kayaks work and how to use them. Once it was time to get in the water it started to rain, then it turned into a heavy downpour!! At that moment, there were a few of us already in the water and some of us still on the dock. Those on the dock ran for shelter. Glenn, Manuel, Natalya, Atlas, Jess, and I were the few who were in the kayaks in the heavy rain. It made the experience just that much more intense. We went for a little trip southward on the fjord and then back north to the boat shed. Once we were back by the boat shed, Manuel and Glenn demonstrated the buddy rescue technique for when someone falls into the water. Manuel was a brave man an

Written by: Esam Chen, Social Work and Social Development  It's now a week since we arrived in Norway, and we are now well situated at Breivoll Farm. Last night I got notification that my vehicle was possibly broken into, and I deeply appreciated everyone on the trip helping me out. Despite the shock, I have decided to put it behind me and enjoy my time here in Norway. Leaving the farm for Oslo We had another day of possible adventures, so a group of us went back into Oslo to further explore the city. After a rather stressful night of tracking my vehicle, we decided to visit the University Botanical Garden. It is a place where I could take my mind off all the stress and stop and smell the roses. The garden was filled with different plants from many different places around the world. It gives the feeling of nature in the busy city where people can slow down their pace and enjoy a moment of peace. We also got to see little pieces of history within the garden, different formations of

Written by: Jessica Dowless, Social Welfare and Social Development   Each day our legs are moving before our eyes are fully opened. Itineraries, meeting times, group message threads, train schedules; seemingly every moment consumed with responsibilities and commitments. Some responsibilities stem from course-related expectations, where others are accounted for by social obligation— predominantly self-imposed or rooted in FOMO (fear of missing out). Our social batteries depleted along with our bodies, our personalities more varied than the breakfast options at the Anker Hotel, and yet we are still drawn to one another, and to each adventure or new experience we are presented with.  We are busy, we are drained, we are learning, we are together.  Free Day at Breivoll Farm View from cabin window The alarm clocks go off and there is already a palpable shift in the atmosphere. This morning feels different, something new is present: choice. We can choose to hit “snooze” or to wake up right aw

 Written by: Danielle Mclaughlin, Education  What comes from the north? Well, the answer might differ depending where you are from. While at the Norsk Folkemusuem, the amazing guides explain that the bone-chilling winds from the north were seen as a conduit for evil spirits. As a result of this belief, the Northern direction was always approached with caution. Homes, buildings, and villages were intentionally constructed so that they did not face the north. More specifically, churches did not have any openings on the north side in order to prevent any evil from permeating the sacred space. This architectural style is exhibited in the Gol Stave Church that still stands in the Folkemusuem grounds. The magnificent building looms on top of a hill, with the main entrance facing West and another doorway on the South.  Gol Stave Church During church services, attendees were “arranged” according to this idea that evil comes from the north. As such, the men occupied the southern side where the

Written by: Kenver Fetalco, Business  Today, the fifth day of our trip, is when we pack up and head out of the hotel to the DNT offices for a lecture regarding friluftsliv and then to the cabins at Breivoll Farm. The anticipation of travelling to a new place was in the air as we got ready for the adventure that awaited us. Our day started at 7:00 am when Esam's alarm went off. Esam immediately got out of bed, but I stayed in bed for a few more minutes, enjoying the hotel room's convenience. At 7:25 a.m., I began packing my possessions. The previous evening's floating sauna visit had been an amazing experience. We arrived late to the hotel, but we were clearly excited about it, and some of us had put in so much effort to make it happen. Others in our group stayed up late as they couldn't bring themselves to unwind because of the excitement. Some had already packed their bags. From our hotel room, we enjoyed the most beautiful view. The serene view outside our window pr