Category: Blog Posts
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Sami Adventures
We set out very early on a dark, rainy morning in Lofoten for the Inga Sami Siida (best described as a reindeer farm), with the thought of petting a reindeer in the back of our heads. Along the way, the scenery was beautiful, with snowy mountain skylines and partially frozen aqua-blue waters. The bus ride…
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Trollfjorden Boat Tour: Boats Boats Boats!
Written by John Arnell, Ada Vanderbilt, Clare Hinnenkamp, and Kyle Johnston During our Trollfjord boat tour, passengers could view the scenery from either the indoor cabin or three deck levels. The tour company emphasizes sustainability, minimizing both engine and noise pollution by switching to electric power and requesting silence while navigating the fjord. This historic…
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Vafler or Waffles: Differences Between Norwegian and American Food Culture
Written by Alexandra, Ashlyn, Hallie, and Lizzy Sugar in Norway Coming from the United States where you can find sugary snacks and treats at every corner, you should prepare yourself for a longer walk to satisfy a sweet tooth in Norway. Beginning in the 1920s, Norway enacted a general tax on foods and beverages…
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Henngsvær Happenings, Nusfjord Nutrition, Reine-diculous Routes, and an Åwesome Ådventure
Written by Haakon, Karly, Kathryn, and Lance Wednesday marked our penultimate day in Lofoten, and was also the day in which we had the chance to see the largest amount of the surrounding area. We began with an early bus departure in the dark and made our way along the southern coast…
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What a Sick Boat Ride! (Literally)
By Elisabet, Emily, Matt, and Garrett Since being in Lofoten, we have had many experiences, including a tour around Svolvær (our place of stay), a visit to Inga Såmi Siida, and a boat tour through Trollfjord! All the experiences have been very insightful, and Trollfjorden started as a nice relaxing break from our travels before…
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A Northern De-Light
By Kieran, Hailey, Andre, and Roxi Our group had the pleasure of hunting—and finding!—Northern Lights over Svolvær this past Friday. It was an en-LIGHTENING and ILLUMINATING experience for all, and the high-LIGHT of the trip for many. As we cozy up in our cabins and reflect on WATT a beautiful work of art the world…
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Cabin Life in Svolvær
By: Annie, Maddie, Otelia and Lena The final destination on our journey north is the small town of Svolvær. It’s certainly different from Stavanger and Trondheim, but has been just as fun! Because it’s such a small town, Svolvær doesn’t have many of the conveniences of a larger Norwegian city, like all of the nice…
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Inside Great Homes
By: Alana, Amasa, Emma, and Leo The coolest part of the whole day trip to Stiklestad, in our opinion, was the viking longhouse. We learned that the whole building (besides the lights and more modern additions) was crafted using the same techniques as the vikings would have in the tenth century. There was so…
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First Impressions of Lofoten
It is often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and Lofoten made an unforgettable one! Although Svolvær is isolated from the rest of Norway, it sure makes up for it in scenery, snow, and, of course, rorbuer (fisherman’s cabin). All of us had different first impressions of Lofoten,…
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Friluftsliv: Winter Hiking in Trondheim
Written by Kyle Johnston, John Arnell, Ada Vanderbilt, and Clare Hinnenkamp A unique part of Norwegian culture largely absent from American culture is the concept of ‘friluftsliv,’ which translates to “outdoor living.” According to Statistisk sentralbyrå (Statistics Norway), in 2024, 96.5% of Norwegians regularly engaged in outdoor activities. These activities include everything from camping, fishing,…