University of Wisconsin–Madison

Norway: Josalin Kumm (Learning on excursions)

A light blue pickup truck is parked on the side of the road next to a wooden stand full of apples, all in front of a rocky and tree-covered mountain.
Apples and a Blue Pickup in Lærdal

I recently had the opportunity to embark on a memorable journey to Lærdal, Bergen, and Sognefjorden in Norway, courtesy of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). ESN is known for organizing various excursions, trips, and activities for international students, and the adventure I chose was the “Fjord Adventure.” Each day was filled with a plethora of activities and breathtaking sights.

Two shelves full of bread are next to various signs in Norwegian.
Hot Buns in Bergen

On the first day, our group embarked on a hiking expedition. While I regrettably couldn’t secure a ticket for the glacial hike, I was fortunate enough to remain in Lærdal and partake in some hiking of my own. Those who did go on the glacial hike raved about its incredible beauty and experience.

Josalin holds a cone of pink-ish purple ice cream.
“Purple Rain” Ice Cream on a rainy day in Bergen

The second day led us to Bergen, a historically significant port city. Bergen is famous for its frequent rainfall, with over 200 rainy days annually. Despite the damp weather, exploring the old part of town, Bryggen, with its charming historic wooden buildings, was a captivating experience. It was fascinating to connect what I saw with the history I had been studying in my Norwegian history class.

A street with houses with pointed roofs of all different colors of brick.
Bryggen in the Rain

During our time in Bergen, I made sure to visit the renowned Bergen Fish Market and indulged in the delights of Solros Cafe and Bakery, where I had the pleasure of savoring the city’s finest cinnamon buns.

A building with many layers of different shaped roofs; some pointy, some triangular, and some curved.
Borgund Stave Church in the Fall

However, the highlight of my journey was the “Purple Rain” ice cream at Hallaisen, a delectable treat that left a lasting impression.

As we made our way back to Trondheim, we made two remarkable stops. The first was at the beautiful Borgund Stave Church, a stunning sight that stood in striking contrast to the autumn foliage. Additionally, our visit to Flåm provided valuable insights into Norway’s intricate train system. This journey was a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and education. Traveling with ESN and the support of UW allowed me to create memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.

A green train is sitting on the tracks in front of steep tree-covered mountains.
Flåm and the Green Train

 

Josalin smiles and rests her chin on her hands in front of a blurred background.

Josalin Kumm

Hometown: Amherst, Wisconsin

Major: Industrial Engineering

Program:  Norwegian Institute of Science & Technology Engineering Exchange