Which Scandinavian nation should I study in?

[jpgray]

Poll question: Which Scandinavian nation should I study in?

I'm going to take a language this coming term in college, and I was curious over which country would be the most fun to visit for the "study abroad" program. Feel free to post as well as vote--I'm particularly keen on Denmark or Norway right now, but I like the Kalevala, so Finland may be in. :D

[Cheswick2.0]

1. My mother went to Norway in the 80s

She was a trainer for the US Cross Country ski team. She loved it there and the pictures show it is absolutely a winter wonderland, just unbelievably beautiful.

[jpgray]

2. Your mom had an awesome job

I'm a X-country skier myself, but not *quite* of Olympic proportions. I already know a smattering of Norwegian from an after-school class I took in elementary school. "Vi snakker Norsk?" I think. Too bad I've forgotten the appropriate answer.

:D

[Cheswick2.0]

23. when X-country was getting big here

in the late 60 early 70s, for many years our family ran clinics. We would rent the skis and then teach people how to ski. First we did it from the house. Sometimes we would take groups to the adirondacks for the day and someone would set the trail which we all followed maybe around a small lake. There always seemed to be fresh snow and just enough gentle hills to make it fun. The world was quiet and beautiful and I have always looked for that same feeling in winter.
I don't think I can ever get back to skiing again, but I think I see some snow shoes and my favorite camera in my future.

[PeeWeeTheMadman]

3. winter

That was before the greenhouse effect. Nowdays, this country is more grey and wet than white and snowy in december.

[Cheswick2.0]

22. really? I am sorry to hear that

I guess she lucked out.

[velocity]

15. That's the problem

It's a winter wonderland in July..... :evilgrin:

[Rhiannon12866]

4. The only country I have visited here is Finland

I recommend it highly. I had a panic attack on FinAir airlines and they were wonderful. They sat with me, gave me oxygen and held my hand. I spent time in Helsinki. It is a beautiful country and the people are particularly friendly. I always planned to return there. I did find it rather expensive, however, though the others may be, as well. Let us know which you choose, as I'm sure it will be a wonderful experience.:-)

[jpgray]

5. If it's anything like the Greek study abroad

It will be pretty cheap. My means are very meager, so this is about the only way I can see the wider world.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. I cannot tell you about Greece

What country are you most interested in visiting? I can also recommend Russia. I have been there, as well, and know that they also have some very good schools which regularly accept foreign students. Do you speak other languages? I would think that would be a consideration. Russian is very hard since they even have a different alphabet.:shrug:

[jpgray]

10. I took Modern Greek, but was too busy working to go there (nt)

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Then this might be the place for you to study

I love to travel and think you should see as much of the world as you can. My Dad traveled to more countries than I can remember and thorouhly enjoyed the experience. I think that trigz makes a strong case for Norway. I would love to visit there, but I promised myself I would visit lovely Finland again.:-)

[trigz]

6. Why even ask?

Choose Norway!
The Finns are a bunch of alcoholics and it's like -30 degrees there in winter, the Swedes are boring and conservative, the Danish have a serious problem with clean cities, as theirs are full of litter and shit everywhere. Now, we have the most beautiful women and we're the most open minded people in Scandinavia to boot. Sure you'll have to suffer ridiculous beer prices and the fact that we have a *priest* as our Prime Minister, but hey! Choose Norway! ;)

[jpgray]

7. We'll count that as an *emphatic* Norway vote :-) (nt)

[Ellen Forradalom]

13. A little biased, are we?

:-)

[xchrom]

9. the weather is slightly better

in denmark -- copenhagen is a great urban experience -- lots of art, concerts, etc.
but really -- i'd take any of them -- and scandinavian boys are the very cutest for my money. which, since it's american isn't worth very much right now.

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Finland is awesome

and Finnish isn't quite so hard as they make it out to be, if you just take it bit by bit.

I spent a summer there in 1983 and took a language class at the University of Helsinki. Fascinating.

[OldEurope]

14. Can´t say which is best. But: the most difficult language of these

is: Finnish.
You better not try.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. I'm half Norwegian, so I may be prejudiced

But Norway has beautiful scenery, a progressive society, and friendly people.

I was especially proud of Norway during the 1994 Winter Olympics. Everyone raved about how well organized and considerate they were, and one thing that was mentioned only once but which pleased me a lot was that the Norwegian XC ski fans didn't cheer only the Norwegian skiers: they cheered every racer as he or she came across the finish line.

The language isn't very difficult, either--lots of similarities to English. Danish is similar, but harder to pronounce.

[trigz]

18. Hey, half Norwegian! Where from?

From Oslo myself, and of course all-out Norwegian :)

Og ikke minst, hvor mye norsk snakker du? Norskamerikanere har en morsom måte å prate norsk på ;)
(sorry about that)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

21. Farfar kom fra

en liten øy i Åfjord i Trøndelag, og farmor kom fra Mosjøen.

Jeg studerte litt norsk, men jeg har glemt så meget.

[Cheswick2.0]

24. I think that was the year they did the story about the Norwegian team

taking a skier from some country where this is no skiing tradition (no snow either I think) and this guy was so bad, but they showed him how to wax his skis and waited for him to finish before they left the track? I forgot the details exactly, but it was a wonderful story. It might have been in Lake Placid, I am not sure.

[Flaxbee]

17. FINLAND! FINLAND! FINLAND!

Oooooh, I loved Helsinki! Neat city, neat architecture, has the feel of a European capital (which it is) but small enough to navigate and get to know well. Transportation is easy throughout Finland, and if you're in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Russia (one of the most beautiful cities -- if you don't head into the 'burbs -- in the world) is a short train ride away (about 5 hrs), and the people, once you get them talking, are exceedingly nice. Also, oddly enough, last time I was there, I had the best Thai meal I've every had... I haven't been to Thailand, but have been to lots of Thai restaurants in LA, DC, NYC, Atlanta, etc., and Helsinki had the best...

[kanrok]

19. One that'll teach you not to end your sentences in prepositions

Sorry. Old pet peeve of mine. Reminds me of a joke. Indiana graduate goes job-hunting. He winds up interviewing at an old-line blue-blood bank on the east coast. After the interview he asks "Where's the bathroom at?" To which the interviewer sniffed, "We don't end our sentences in prepositions here, sir." Says Indiana, "Okay, where's the bathroom at, asshole?" Good luck, no matter what your choice.

[Bossy Monkey]

25. No message

No message.

[JVS]

20. Sweden