I guess I’ll start from the beginning, as that’s usually the best place to start. One of the main reasons why I applied to be a student blogger for the Trondheim program is to put up more information about the application process so future participants will not be as confused (and frustrated) as I was.

I first heard about the full term student teaching abroad program in Trondheim when I was a freshman. I honestly don’t even remember how I came a cross it (freshman year feels like forever ago!) but I remember that it stuck out to me as something that I would like to do. The program caught my eye mainly because it is in Norway. My paternal grandmother was born in Norway and my family traveled to her hometown (Lista, which is located about as far south as you can go while still being in Norway) and then explored the much of the rest of the country when I was about 8 years old. I always thought it would be interesting to go back and see what life was like there. My parents were all for it and I discussed it with my adviser Dr. Sones (who is awesome, by the way) and we decided to look into it as I progressed in my major.

I couldn’t really do much the rest of my freshman and sophomore years since I couldn’t apply until the spring of my junior year. The application was due in late January of my junior year (when all student teaching paperwork is due) and I heard back quickly. Anyone who was interested in student teaching in either Norway or the Netherlands (where the other student teaching program is hosted) was to interview with the head of the Curriculum and Instruction Field Experiences (CIFE) office, Dr. Eve Shellenberger. I was TERRIFIED to say the least and there was a HUGE snowstorm the day of my interview but apparently it went well and I received notification in mid-March that I had been accepted into the program. I was obviously really excited and quite happy that I heard so quickly. Most of my other classmates who were student teaching in Pennsylvania only heard what region they were student teaching in (Central, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh). In April those of us who had been accepted into the student teaching abroad programs had the opportunity to meet with Norwegian and Dutch university students who were doing their student teaching in the US. It was really great to hear about the cities and countries we were going to be living in from natives. Summer break quickly approached and then…

Nothing. No word from the study abroad office, the CIFE office, or the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), my host university while in Norway. With the exception of some minor application details (learning content, application questions, etc) and emails from the Education Abroad website at 2am (seriously?!) I had no information. No program starting date, no program ending date, no school placement, no subject placement, no word on housing. Nothing. I was beginning to get very frustrated. How could I possibly leave the country in four months and not have any information? I made an appointment to meet with my study abroad adviser Julia Law (who has been incredibly patient with me and my incessant questioning) to discuss details. She said that they plan things differently in Europe and not to worry, things will fall into place. Don’t plan anything until you get more information, whenever that would be. That was incredibly difficult for me to do. I’m a teacher. I plan. That’s what we’re trained to do. Not planning goes against my nature. That was rough to hear (especially since my parents asked me about whether or not I got any information about Norway every time I spoke to them) but I knew that Ms. Law was right. Just keep waiting.

Information finally began trickling through in September. I received an online application to study at NTNU, which was easy enough to fill out. In the beginning October I received my teaching placement in Trondheim. In late October the students who would be student teaching abroad had a meeting with our study abroad adviser (Ms. Law) and our CIFE adviser (Dr. Shellenberger). Slowly even more information began to come in. I booked my flights and spoke to my mentor teacher. I really only began to receive information about housing in early December. By Christmas, everything was pretty much in place.

So that’s my journey up until this point. I can say honestly that it was extremely frustrating. It really isn’t anyone’s fault; it’s just the nature of studying abroad and I’m sure that many other students who have studied abroad have shared the same sentiments. Ms. Law was right, different cultures plan things in a different way. My advice to anyone who has applied to my program or is planning on applying is to be patient. It can be really frightening when you don’t hear anything about your trip for months at a time, but things are getting done! I found that the last month leading up to departure is the busiest and most hectic. Sometimes you feel like a lot of information is being thrown at you at once (which is true). If you stay on top of the paperwork and keep an eye on your deadlines, you’ll be fine!

Now I’m up to the most difficult part of my study abroad journey yet: packing. I’m not exactly sure how to pack for the Arctic (pretty much) for three months, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I leave for Trondheim (by way of Copenhagen) on Tuesday so I better get started! Wish me luck!

Location: Freehold, New Jersey