Under the surface: August 2007

The thing which makes Hald special is the total mixture of totally different cultures. In "Hald Internasjonale Senter" which is the name of my school, there are students from a broad range of different countries. Laos, Serbia, Peru, Madagascar, Thailand, Cameroon, Tanzania, Bolivia, Uganda, Kenya and Norway just to mention some of the countries. This makes a very special atmosphere which I doubt one would be able to find any other place.

On a recent occasion one of the international student celebrated his birthday. In Norway this events are usually celebrated by honoring the person in one way or another, but some of the internationals had a different opinion on this matter. Throwing eggs and water at him was supposedly the recipe of a good birthday. I think this is a good example of some of the cultural differenses we are facing at school. There are a lot of these small things witch are completely different from one culture to another.

A average day at Hald starts up with breakfast at 0800, followed by silent time at half past eight. I have actually really learned to appreciate this silent time which I can spend studying the bible and praying. It's a brilliant way to start each day! From 0900 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600 there is different classes and preparations going on, stretching from bible studies to vaccination and inter cultural communication. Speaking of vaccination, there is actually quite a few syringes most of us has to get. Some people get up to five needles stung in to their arm. I was lucky enough to get away with one though, I've taken a lot of them before and I'm only going to Southern Europe most of the time, which (speaking of diseases) is not the most dangerous place to go. In one of the first classes we where studying the subject of poverty Discussing the topic of poverty, aid, charity and so on with the mixture of people attending Hald is extremely interesting. Some students have been living on the street begging themselves while others are born in the "fantastic" nation of Norway. You really start reflecting over your own priorities in conditions like these. Between 1300 and 1400 there is lunch which is actually the dinner of the day. There is supper at 1830 which in total makes a schedule of tree meals each day. This is a lot less than what I'm used to, but I will survive.

Last weekend we went for a trip to Gautestad, a camp close to Evje. This a kind of team building trip with a lot of various exercises for getting to know and trust each other. Walking around blind folded and falling in to the hands of the rest of the group to mention some activities. The weather was great and I really felt like I got to know my fellow students better. The place was beautiful with lakes and animals (ranging from lamas to horses) all over.

Horse running outside of Gauteseter

Ingrid Karin running around taking pictures

Elin and Helene (The Cameroon girls) playing table tennis

My roommate Tueng Tueng (Suramit) from Thailand. He doesn't speak to good English, but we are communicating better every day. A really cool evangelist from Obon Lachatani.