Diary of a natural blonde. “give me a job!”

By virtue of my “inflexible” age, I can only observe the “work situation” in Norway and draw my conclusions, having lived here already 7 years. In the first year I so rushed to work that it is even “scary” to recall!

Two higher humanitarian diplomas: one Soviet, the other of 2004, “not bought in a passageway,” but “honestly attended and passed” state exams. “And I walk, all so” clever, through the provincial Norwegian town of Grimstad, with my CV (service record), straight into the most cultural place — the town library. And I start telling the “directress” of the library about myself, about how good and literate I am and I study-I-am-not-lazy and I know so much in this life… In general I “overwhelmed” the directress with my “intellect.” I look…. and the directress somehow suspiciously “shrivelled” and quietly uttered: “We will call you!”

Here I immediately understand that this is a zero result. At that moment I was not asking for a post, but for practice. So this is how it “works.” I explain. In Norway there is such an interesting organisation, which is called NAV. They render help and support to the whole population… Yes, to the population, but not personally to You.

The first time I came to NAV, I thought that here and now they would offer me work. Yes. They listened to me attentively; sometimes the inspector repeated the same phrase in Norwegian, which I could not understand. I came home and ask my husband: “They want something, but I cannot understand what exactly? I came with my Résumé and registration….?” It turns out everything needs to be processed through a computer, fill in schemes in Norwegian, and only then go to NAV. Well, that is what we did.

Then they summoned me to NAV and explained they do not provide work, and so neatly asked: “You, in your homeland, are already on a pension?” — “Yep,” I said. (but if I explain that my pension will not suffice for a monthly bus pass, they will hardly understand me) at best they can “pretend” they understood. But I “got the hint.”

I continued going to language courses. I understood that one needs to study and sit exams. But I did not “give up,” I read advertisements, took an interest in work. And suddenly, what luck! Next to the house a permanent job is required in a kindergarten for the post of “Pedagog.” The head of the kindergarten invited me for an interview. After the interview, I understood that there is a chance of getting work, but first, from August, I must go through a three-month practice, which NAV will pay for! “That’s some happiness that has come!”

To be continued….