Kristiansand Travel Forum

Hello,

We are moving to Kristiansand for ten months and my 8 year old son will attend school. I have read that there have been tensions between immigrants and Norwegians in Kristiansand. My husbands employer has suggested that my son attend a Mottakskolen for immigrant children in Kristiansand. The kid is a blond American. Would he be accepted at such a school? Would he not be accepted at an ordinary Norwegians school (he does not speak Norwegian)? Are there any neighborhood or schools we should avoid?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you,
Geigen

i think i would find out in which area u are staying in kristiansand and then find the school, talk to the headmaster. i think the experience to go to school with kids in the neigborhood is good and one will get the better feel of living in norway both for parents and kids. dont think an american kid will have much problems but then again i can only say in general since i dont know kristiansand that much . an 8 year old kid easily learn a new language and norwegian kids see a lot of english programs and listen to english speaking songs . read a bit about the mottaksskolen and it seems mainly for refugees but i might be mistaken
good luck with the move hope u have a great time here :-))

Hi!

I think that it is more likely that your boy will fit in in a "normal" Norwegian school, than in "mottakskolen". I have not heard of this school before, but it sounds like it's a school for children who are seeking asylum and not children who have parents that are here for work for a limited time.
It will also be much easier to learn a new language at a "normal" Norwegian school.

The city of Kristiansand's web adress is htt://www.kristiansand.kommune.no

I think that you should direct your questions to post.skolekontoret@kristiansand.kommune.no, which is the mail adress of the office that deals with school related affairs in Kristiansand. I am sure they will be able to answer all your questions and I am sure that they will answer in English.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Regards Jørgen

Hi!

I think that it is more likely that your boy will fit in in a "normal" Norwegian school, than in "mottakskolen". I have not heard of this school before, but it sounds like it's a school for children who are seeking asylum and not children who have parents that are here for work for a limited time.
It will also be much easier to learn a new language at a "normal" Norwegian school.

The city of Kristiansand's web adress is htt://www.kristiansand.kommune.no

I think that you should direct your questions to post.skolekontoret@kristiansand.kommune.no, which is the mail adress of the office that deals with school related affairs in Kristiansand. I am sure they will be able to answer all your questions and I am sure that they will answer in English.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Regards Jørgen

Dear Geigen,
As an American who was once in your son's situation, perhaps I can add my experience to the above information. We moved to Stavanger when I was 7 years old and I spoke no Norwegian. I attended American/immigrant school for the first semester until I had learned enough Norwegian to attend the regular school. I still made friends in the neighborhood and as such as young child was able to learn the language quite well in a few months, with no instruction - just exposure. My mother was astounded!

When my stepfather, being Norwegian, wanted to enroll me in the regular neighborhood school, it was, however, made quite clear to us that I would be treated as a normal Norwegian student. I would not be catered to or taught in English as I was living in their country and if attending their school, would be expected to learn and speak in their language. I have always agreed with this attitude and I had no problems in school. During the period when the children learn English (they begin about 7 years old) I assisted the teacher and helped the kids in the class to learn my language! They, in turn, helped me with theirs and it was altogether a lovely experience! I am fluent in Norwegian to this day and learning this language early helped me in future years to easily pick up others. I currently speak German, Italian and Spanish also.

The Norwegians are the least prejudiced people in the world that I have ever met. However, they are also patriotic and protective of their land, language and customs. While welcoming immigrants and foreigners with open arms, they do expect a certain amount of respect in return and this includes learning their language if you attend their schools (which are excellent, by the way.)You don't mention where you come from exactly, but it sounds like you may be American. Just be wary of the usual American attitude that the rest of the world should speak our language - even in their country. I find it offensive in ours that people would come here, enroll in our public schools that I pay for as a taxpayer and then expect that we will teach the kids in their language. This helps no one, least of all the kids.

I am not certain in this day and age if your son would be admitted at all with no language skills, but I would doubt it. I would strongly suggest that he begin a language program right now to be familiar with the language (and you parents as well, if you do not speak it yourselves...) There are wonderful courses available by internet or at your local large bookstore. (I recommend the "Teach Yourself Norwegian" series - easy to understand and affordable.) You might also check with the nearest Norwegian consulate or embassy to see if there are classes available anywhere. It is truly a very easy language to learn - certaily easier than English, though many words are similar and you will easily recognize them.

Then, upon arrival, you could find out if his skills merit his attendance at Norwegian school. If not, find out what he would have to do. I'm sure further private instruction would be available there in norway and he'd be ready in no time!! It is a great time for a child to be exposed to new cultures and languages and it will give him confidence and freedom in later life that you and he cannot possibly imagine right now!

Please feel free to email me directly if I can be of further assistance in sharing my personal experience with you. I still consider myself to be a Norwegian-American to this day and it is because I was able to learn the language and assimilate fully during my year there from age 7-8 and during the time I moved back and forth over the years.

Incidentally, Kristiansand is a wonderful city - you will love it and so will your son! Please enjoy your experience!

All the best, Lorine

Thank you everyone who replied. I was raised in Germany and my son in the US. After consideration, I think I will try him in Norwegian school. Unfortunately no language instruction beyond tapes is possible in the small town in which we live.

He is now concerned that he will be blamed for the current US president toward whom he has developed an allergy. But that is another set of issues...

Geigen

Tell him not to worry, Geigen! Again, the Norwegians are very cosmopolitan and understand that presidents and leaders are not always representative of their citizenry, though they like to discuss politics. I think at your son's age they will be more interested in gadgets and technology and games than anything else.

ALso, if your son already speaks German and English, as I suspect, Norwegian will come very easily for him! Do get some tapes or books to get started - it will ease his transition considerably. As you are in a small town, you can order online. Again, I recommend the "Teach Yourself: Norwegian" series. The best and fastest at the best price.

Some US sites to order on are:

www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com

You may have some of your own, but I know amazon delivers internationally. Best of luck to you and your son!

Lorine Hagen

here is some norwegian course on the net...
http://www.sofn.com/norwegianculture/languagelessons/index.html
here u can learn norwegian by mail http://frodo.bruderhof.com/norword/

Hello,i have just read your forum ,we are a couple with 3 boys,aged 7,5 and 10 months.we too are thinking of moving to kristiansand and also are comtemplating the international school for our eldest son. do you have any advice and when are you thinking of moving there?we are thinking of march 2007 look forward to hearing from you thanks.

this posting is from 2005 i think i would and the member that posted it hasnt been on for ages
if u have any question i think i would post a new one just incase :-)