Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet ... | Teen Ink

Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet ... MAG

By Anonymous

      I can remember it like yesterday. My heart was pounding and my stomach was doing flips. I really wanted to tell my mom to turn around, but I knew it was too late. We had already driven six hours and were entering the gate. I was going to be dropped off and left for a whole week by myself. I was only nine years old and had thought I was ready, but I knew I was wrong.

As soon as we passed through the gate to Skogfjorden, which means “lake in the woods,” they started talking to me in Norwegian. What had I gotten myself into? I couldn’t understand any language but English, and I didn’t know anyone there. When I got out of the car, I clung to my mom. We went through the welcome stations where I picked a new name, met the nurse, and had my bags checked.

When I was packing for camp, I didn’t know that it was immersion to the point of not having any American music, books, or food. When the counselors went through my suitcases, they found Skittles and a book, both of which went home with my mother.

Next, I was sent to my cabin. I remember climbing the steps and wondering if I really could live in Bod/PI for the week.

My mom helped me unpack and make my bed, but when we were done, she had to leave. At that moment, the tears started flowing from both of us. I had never been left alone and I was terrified. As we walked to the car, she told me she loved me. I hugged her, and then watched her drive away. By the time I got to my cabin, my eyes were dry and I was ready to meet the people I would be living with.

This is when the magic began. It was amazing how quickly I made new friends and how nice the counselors were. I learned an enormous amount of Norwegian in only five days and grew to love my home-away-from-home. Soon it was Saturday, the day Mom was coming to get me.

I was excited to see her and show her all my favorite places at Skogfjorden. After the closing program, my mom asked if I was ready to go home. I thought I was, but as soon as I got in the car, my week ended as it had begun - with tears. I was so sad to leave Skogfjorden and my new friends. As we drove out the gate and down the road, I knew that I had to go back the next summer - I was hooked.

Now, having been to Skogfjorden eight summers in a row, this is the first summer I will not be attending Concordia Language Villages. There is a void in my heart and summer schedule. I will miss being there because I’ve never had any experiences like those at Skogfjorden. The people there have such a refreshing way to teach a language.

I cannot wait to take my little brothers up to camp this summer, because I know exactly how they will feel when we drive away and then when we come to pick them up ... but who knows? Maybe someday I will be a counselor there, and will get to live in the same cabin as the new nine-year-olds. I will certainly know exactly how they feel as their parents drive away.



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This article has 5 comments.


i love this so much!

on Feb. 8 2014 at 5:04 am
TheBlackInkter GOLD, -, Other
11 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All that we dream or dream, is but a dream within a dream." -Edgar Allan Poe

Thanks for writing about it. I think everyone can imagine how scary it would be, being a nine-year-old there, but still you make things sound very cheerful. Enjoyed the read. And also fun for the Norwegian speaking people here :) (I know like three words, since it's a lot similar to Dutch).

on Jan. 1 2011 at 9:50 pm
RedheadAtHeart ELITE, Mountain Home, Idaho
109 articles 0 photos 164 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love with open hands. - Madeleine L'Engle

That is really cool of you to write about it. I went to the Swedish camp (Sjolunden) this past summer and it was a blast! So cool to hear about someone else's experience. (I believe I visited the Skogfjorden site on International Day).

on Sep. 18 2010 at 5:48 pm
lswithspunk BRONZE, Opheim, Montana
3 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
\&quot;why take life seriously, none of us make it out alive anyway\&quot;<br /> \&quot;censorship is like telling a man he cant have a steak because a baby cant chew it\&quot;--Mark Twain

my mom grew up in norway and went to concordia that is very interesting i have never heard of this camp

kspence said...
on Jul. 31 2009 at 9:13 pm
Thank you for writing about your Skogfjorden experience! It was so nice to read about someone else's experience. Jeg er også en deltaker! Jeg elsker Skogfjorden og alle folke der!