Phil Berry - UK

philberry77@hotmail.com

Why are you a volunteer?

- Working in the outdoors is a lifestyle not a job. - I have a great interest in working with people from all over the world

Why did you choose Norway?

I did not really choose Norway I got a message from a friend saying that norway was looking for me. I always wanted to work in norway ever since my ex-boss was telling me about Norway and I met Tobjørn on an international event in the Lake District England and he told me about this lovely land so put both of these together and you have a perfect recipie.

What did you do?

I was given several projects during the year. Firstly I was preparing for the HAFS international camp and getting used to the local area from an instructors point of view: Trips in the mountains, kayaking climbing and so on. Followed up by the international camp itself.
Then I was shipped off to The Red Cross Nordic United World College where I was to spend the rest of my volunteer position. At the college my main responcibilities were in the outdoor education side of things. I started with Leirskule (camp school for norwegian children) instructing in kayaking, canoeing, climbing, campcraft and handicrafts.The Leirskule season was from Sept – November and March – June. In between the Leirskule seasons and sessions I was working with the students of the college in the outdoor sports, general college life, community outreach and the college services.The main part of this was organising kayaking, climbing and skiing trips for the students as well as training them to be instructors for the leirskule.

What is bad about being a volunteer?

The volunteer post is what u make it. If something bad is there, sort it out. In Norway the long winter is a hard time but if you want things to happen, you make them happen because nobody else is going to do it for you. Its just a genereal rule in life.
A volunteer is a volunteer just like the rest of the volunteers. A stereotype situation. You have your own classification that is not recognised and when that is looked upon as being a lower class it can be quite annoying.

Three typical norwegian things?

Fish and boiled spuds.
Layed back attitude – Why put off today what cant be put off tomorrow.
Its not normal to finish off a good day out on the mountain/river/rock face with beer afterwards in the local pub.

What was your first phrase?

Tussen Takk
Snakke du Engelsk?

Your best norwegian experience?

The opportunity of being in Norway as a volunteer and beyond. I have had so many great experiences here, from watching people improve their self confidence or beginning to realise their true potentials to standing on a rocky outcrop with 700meter drop directly into the fjord or swimming in a lovely warm fjord splashing about and laughing with the people who are close friends. Its hard to say the best exsperience.
Making friends here is an experience I will treasure for ever. It’s the support, love and respect that you get from the students, other volunteers and people around you that makes things all the more precious and meaningful here.

Your favorite norwegian food?

Jule Øl (Christmas beer -not quite food but it has a lot more goodness than most food here and that is relected in the price)

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

Travel more around this beautiful country; get to know more of the country and its people. A car would be the most wonderful thing here and if the insurance and the petrol were paid for it would be heaven but we can dream on cant we.
Learn the language.
Build a cabin in the mountains and live here in Norway for a long time.

The most important phrases in your job:

Trust me!
Just go for it. It won’t kill you! … You can do it Captain!
Free your mind and your ass will follow.

Final comment:

Thanks too all those who helped this year happen. Its been one of the greatest opportunities I have managed to have. I have managed to carry on with the same projects that I was involved with during my year as a volunteer and it has opened many other opportunities for me. Thanks to those who supported the project and myself and the friends that have become here.