Anne Ulbricht (Germany)

Haugland Rehabilitation Centre, Flekke, Fjaler
Email: anne-u.@gmx.net

Why are you a volunteer?

I have been playing with the idea to be a volunteer since more or less 2 years. I decided to participate in the EVS, because I think it is a unique opportunity to learn about yourself and in the same moment about other cultures. Additionally I just wanted to take one year off after my A-level-studies, try myself out in practical work, get an orientation in regard to my plans later, discover a new country with all its facets and, of course, get to know many, many new people in a foreign country & culture. Thereto the project I chose accorded really good to my interests and my plan to study medicine afterwards.

Why did you choose Norway?

From the beginning on it has been one of my wishes to go and “explore” during my year one of the “nordic” countries – possibly because of my association that these countries typify the biggest “cultural difference” at least inside Europe . The fact that I finally “landed” in Norway dues to the project in the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre, that accorded to a lot of my interests. So I just decided to run for it … and here I am! (-:

What do you do?

I really have a lot of luck in my project, because I can decide mainly for myself where and in which kind of activities I would like to put the focal point during the year. With regards to my interests and the wish to study medicine I decided to assist mainly the sportspedagogues and the physiotherapists in work with patients. In the RKHC come patients from all over Norway suffering and affected by certain sicks (for instance Parkinsson, cancer, obesity, etc.) and stay in the rehabilitation centre between 2 and 4 weeks. I work together with them.

What is bad about being a volunteer?

Until this moment I couldn't discover that many bad sides about being volunteer. What sometimes could cause some restrictions is the few money that we receive – more in an expensive country like Norway .

Three typical norwegian things?

•  Sheep-Head-Dinners where even the eyes are eaten

•  Trolls, Matpakke & Knekkebrød

•  EXPENSIVE life

What was your first phrase?

“Det er bare en elg i skogen!” – That's just an elk in the forest!

Your best norwegian experience?

Reading this question there occur a lot of nice moments in my mind, so that it is impossible to say which one has been the best. In this moment (being 3 months in Norway) it is difficult to decide which experience has been the best, because there have been so many unforgettable moments even yet – first boat trip on the Fjord & Northern lights, Volunteer On-Arrival-Training, the colour of the sky that changes from day to day …?

Your favorite norwegian food?

What a question … typical norwegian “brunost” on “knekkebrød” with “syltetøy”! (-: (& no sheep head!!!)

If you had three optional things to do, what would you do?

•  travel, travel, travel

•  lying at the beach with a lot of sun

•  learn finally Norwegian

The most important phrases in your job:

“Eg heiter Anne og eg er frå Tyskland.” – My name is Anne and I am from Germany .

“Eg forstår ikkje. Kan du omsetje … til engelsk?” – I don't understand anything. Can you translate ... into english?

”Kvar har d u vondt?” – Where does it hurt?