KULTUR | | INTERNATIONAL |
SMALL TALK POLITICS Text: Ryan Hamilton
Illustration: Denis Merten
The first time I came to Norway in 2014, a lot of people were eager to tell me about their trips to California or New York and ask me about the Grand Canyon or if every party in America actually had those red plastic cups they see in all the movies (they do). Occasionally, people asked me if I owned any guns or what I thought of Texas. But this time around, I seem to hear the same question every time I meet somebody new. Are you voting for Trump or Clinton? I’ve been asked about my political stance on a plane by the passenger sitting next to me. I’ve been asked about Trump outside of Rokken by somebody I wasn’t talking to. I was even asked whether I was voting for Hillary or Donald by the elderly gentleman who was processing my «personnummer» application. At this point, I’m starting to think I should just start telling people that I’m Canadian. But, I think I get it. People all over the world learn about the USA. Many of the policies and practices that the country implements have far-reaching impacts. Many of the people
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When you’re traveling outside of your country and you tell somebody where you’re from, how do they usually respond? Do they ask you about the weather or about common meals back home? Maybe they ask you what kind of currency you use or about your favorite football team?
who speak to me come from countries that are directly or indirectly affected by our foreign policies or trade agreements. It only makes sense that when they meet somebody from America, they’d like to exercise all the facts they’ve learned and viewpoints they hold. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Maybe they forget we’ve just met and it’d be a safer route to talk about our studies. Maybe they forget that discussing governmental policies isn’t great small-talk in the first place. Maybe
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Asking about somebody’s political beliefs is on par with debating religion
they forget that I can Wikipedia controversial things about their country too!In my opinion, asking about somebody’s political beliefs is on par with debating religion. At its core, it’s a conversation about what ought to be in the world. I understand that people want to share
their opinions, and that Americans are relatively rare in Volda. I guess it’s only natural to want to discuss politics with an American when you have one in front of you. I don’t fault people for the impulse. I know I’ve crossed my fair share of conversational taboos too.I think the biggest issue that I have with the whole thing is that it’s just so impersonal while simultaneously being so intrusive. My answer doesn’t tell you much at all about who I am as a person or whether or not we have much in common in our day-to-day lives. It’s a question that either has a right answer or a wrong answer for many people. And that is not the kind of conversation that I’d want to have with somebody I’ve just met at a party. I’d rather talk about your hobbies or play a game of beer pong with you (some stereotypes are true). So please, if you meet an American at a party between now and November, just ask them about the weather or something boring like that. And then ask if they’d like to play a game of beer pong.
| INTERNATIONAL | KULTUR |
ADJUSTING TO NORWAY AFTER AFGHANISTAN Text: Suzie-Ann Baker Text/Photo: Kishore
Moving to a foreign country can be a challenge. Adapting to new cultures, local customs and foreign languages is already an overwhelming task – even more so for refugees fleeing from war.
Gajendra
For the last few weeks, the open area around Volda University College has been buzzing with students enjoying the last strands of summer sun before autumn takes over. In the damp grass in front of the cafeteria, we met Jawid and Raziq who were chatting with words of Persian Dari interspersed with Nynorsk. Jawid and Raziq are war refugees, who fled the devastating war of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Torment forces teenagers to flee Jawid lived his whole life in a village the same size as Volda in Afghanistan. He had a full time job as car washer – the Taliban stopped him from pursuing his dream of going to school. At the age of 16, he decided to flee his homeland. His journey to Norway was a tough one, having to enlist help from human rights organizations. – We also had to rely on the mafia back in Afghanistan. They led us to the borders and pointed us in a direction. We started walking and hoped for the best. Although Jawid fled his home country with 30 people, he arrived unaccompanied in Norway. – After the border in Turkey, we split up; of course many didn’t make it. Those of us who were remaining decided to go our separate ways. Teenage refugees seek a fresh start in Volda Now Jawid and Raziq live with around 40 other refugees under the age of 18 in the reception centrein Volda.Every weekday, the boys and girls have lessons in Nynorsk, which allows them to engage with refugees from other countries like Eritrea, Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan. The boys enjoy learning Nynorsk, but think it was difficult in the beginning. – But we had a good course so we’re slowly
LOVE PLAYING FOOTBALL: Jawid and Raziq love playing football and meeting friends.
getting the hang of it. After the lessons, they can choose from a range of activities: from fishing, playing cards, reading and engaging in sports. – I like talking to Norwegians who are of my age but that can be challenging sometimes. I hope to make new friends here in Volda. It would also help us to practice our Norwegian.
They love playing football Being part of an active sports community is helping Jawid and Raziq bond with other refugees andstudents from Volda. From Monday until Friday, the reception centreorganizes sports activities. – Football is my favourite outdoor sport. Sometimes international students and Norwegian students join us and that is always nice. Additionally, they think it is peaceful to go fishing here in Norway. – We feel relaxed and enjoy the calm waters in the fjord. I also like to «gåpå tur» in these beautiful mountains, Jawid says.
Wants to become an engineer Jawid’s greatest joy comes from the fact that he is back at school now. Both Jawid and Raziq have an important event coming up soon. The duo has been invited for an interview which will decide whether or not they are entitled to a residence permit. Both these youngsters are uncertain about what the future holds for them as turmoil continues in their homeland. The official end of the war, December 28, 2014, has done little to spread stability in the country. If Jawid gets granted citizenship andwhen hereaches the age of 18, he hopes to continue school and studyto become an engineer. – I feel very lucky to be in Norway now. The reception centre puts so much effort integrating us into society, giving us opportunities I never had in Afghanistan, Jawid says. Amidst uncertainty, there is hope for a new home for Jawid, Raziq and all the teenage refugees here in Volda.
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