We are always looking to expand our network of Norwegians abroad, and we are very pleased that Agnethe is now a part of our team. Here you can get to know our new UK Representative:
 

Photo: Private

How old are you, and where do you come from?
I am 38 years old and originally come from Måløy in Sogn og Fjordane. I lived there until I was 3, when we moved abroad. Måløy (my fathers’ side) and Bremanger (my mothers’ side) is where I spent all my summers until I was 16-17. When I was 15 we moved back to Norway. We lived between Oslo and Drammen and I went to high school in Drammen. After many years abroad, this was my first time at a Norwegian school, and most of my previous education had been in English. Because of this I speak with both a Sogn og Fjordane accent which I learned from home, as well as an Oslo accent which I learned at school. A little unexpected and weird for those I meet, but I have a tendency to switch accent without even knowing it myself!

What is your relationship with Norway?
My relationship with Norway is very close and positive. Both my parents are Norwegian. Even though I grew up abroad, we spent several weeks in Norway every summer. We drove around Norway from east to west, and I was fortunate to experience a true Norwegian vacation every summer. We belonged to Norwegian communities while we were abroad, and celebrated both Christmas, 17^th of May and other Norwegian events along with other Norwegians abroad. As I said I am born in Norway, but lived abroad until I was 15. I moved back to the US as an “adult” after high school, and worked as a cultural representative at the Norwegian pavilion at EPCOT in Florida. Then I moved to Finnmark to start my studies at Alta University College. After a cold, but great year in Alta with lots of travelling all across the Cap of the North (Nordkalotten),which by the way is incredibly beautiful, I was offered to work for Star Tour at Tenerife, Santorini, Athens and Mallorca. In 2001 I moved back to Norway, but I returned to Mallorca the following year. After 11 years at Mallorca where me and my British husband ran our own real estate agency and had two children, we decided to move to England in 2008, so that our children could attend Britsih schools and be closer to their families in England and Norway.

Which other countries have you lived in?
Out of my 39 years, about 30 of them have been spent abroad.

• Antwerpen, Belgium (2 years)
• Yokohama., Japan (3 years)
• New York, USA (6 years)
• Florida, USA (1 year)
• Tenerife, Spain (1,5 years)
• Santorini, Greece (6 months)
• Athens, Greece (a short summer)
• Mallorca, Spain (11 years)
• Surrey, UK (3,5 years)

Do you visit Norway often?
I try to visit at least once per year. But my goal is to visit 2-3 times per year, so that my children get to experience Norway and feel Norwegian.

Where in England do you live, and what is your occupation?
We live in Surrey, which is a quick train-ride from Victoria in London. I work as a PA (assistant at “The Bursar”), at an old and very beautiful, typical British private school for girls. I also work as a freelancer with different social media projects and as a VA (Virtual Assistant) for several businesses and people. And as a hobby I have started the Faccebook page Nordmenn i utlandet*Norwegians Abroad, which actually is how I got in touch with Nordmanns-Forbundet/Norwegians Worldwide.

How long have you lived in England, and have you lived in or do you often travel to other UK cities?
I have lived in England for 3.5 years. We live in Surrey, but we often visit many other cities and places here. Some examples are Devon, Peak District, the South-East coast, Isla of Wight, and more. England is an incredibly beautiful country, rich in history and culture. I can understand that many Norwegians want to settle here, as it has a central location, and it is easy to travel to most destinations worldwide from here. It is less than two hours to both Norway and Spain, and one can easily take the train to France if you want to spend a weekend in Paris!

Do you have a family and what do you enjoy doing on your spare time?
We are a family of four. I have an 8 year old daughter and a 7 year old son, and a husband who don’t want to reveal his age! We also have a dog and two cats. My main interests are traveling, languages, long hikes, photography, spending time with friends and family and much more. But there has been less traveling and activities over the last few years due to lack of time. This is something I will change in the future!

Do you live in the UK and want to get in touch with other Norwegians? You find Agnethe's contact info here