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A man, woman and boy walking through an airport.

Coming to Norway Coming to Norway Venir en Norvège

Written by Aamiina

Illustrated by Julie Cornelia van Walsum

Read by Pip Hardy

Language English

Level Level 5

Narrate full story

Reading speed

Autoplay story


A man, woman and boy walking through an airport.

My two brothers and I came to Norway in December 2016. We wore summer clothes because we thought it would be as warm in Norway as it was in Somalia. However, when we arrived at the airport, it was snowing. We were cold and the weather was chilly. Although we had brought a few suitcases, they only had summer clothes in them.

My two brothers and I came to Norway in December 2016. We wore summer clothes because we thought it would be as warm in Norway as it was in Somalia. However, when we arrived at the airport, it was snowing. We were cold and the weather was chilly. Although we had brought a few suitcases, they only had summer clothes in them.

Mes deux frères et moi sommes venus en Norvège en décembre 2016. Nous portions des vêtements d’été parce que nous pensions qu’il ferait aussi chaud en Norvège qu’en Somalie. Seulement, lorsque nous sommes arrivés à l’aéroport, il neigeait. Nous avions froid, et la météo était glaciale. Même si nous avions ramené quelques valises, elles ne contenaient que des vêtements d’été.


A woman hugging children.

Even though it was cold, I was very happy when we came to Norway. I would finally meet my mum again, whom I had not seen for six years. My mum and two of her friends met us. When we saw her, we wept with joy. We drove to the small town where Mum lives.

Even though it was cold, I was very happy when we came to Norway. I would finally meet my mum again, whom I had not seen for six years. My mum and two of her friends met us. When we saw her, we wept with joy. We drove to the small town where Mum lives.

Même s’il faisait froid, j’étais très heureuse quand nous sommes venus en Norvège. Je pourrais enfin revoir ma maman, que je n’avais pas revu depuis six ans. Ma maman et deux de ses amies nous ont rencontrés. Quand nous l’avons vue, nous avons pleuré de joie. Nous sommes allés en voiture jusqu’à la petite ville où vit maman.


A man, woman and boy shopping for clothes.

The first days in Mum’s town were very strange. It was cold and snowy and there was not much to see. The streets were completely empty. The few people I met seemed cold and unfriendly. In Somalia there were people everywhere, so everything felt unfamiliar here. My mum and her friends gave us some presents, and then she took us to buy winter clothes.

The first days in Mum’s town were very strange. It was cold and snowy and there was not much to see. The streets were completely empty. The few people I met seemed cold and unfriendly. In Somalia there were people everywhere, so everything felt unfamiliar here. My mum and her friends gave us some presents, and then she took us to buy winter clothes.

Les premiers jours dans la ville de maman étaient très étranges. Il faisait froid et il neigeait et il n’y avait pas grand chose à voir. Les rues étaient complètement vides. Les quelques personnes que j’avais rencontrées semblaient froides et antipathiques. En Somalie il y avait des gens partout, donc tout était inhabituel ici. Ma maman et ses amies nous ont offert des cadeaux, et après elle nous a emmenés acheter des vêtements d’hiver.


Three women sitting at desks.

After the Christmas holidays I joined a Norwegian course at the adult education centre. I studied there for two years before starting in an ordinary school. Now I am in my final year, and I have made many new friends. I am very sociable and enjoy meeting other people.

After the Christmas holidays I joined a Norwegian course at the adult education centre. I studied there for two years before starting in an ordinary school. Now I am in my final year, and I have made many new friends. I am very sociable and enjoy meeting other people.

Après les vacances de Noël, j’ai commencé une formation de Norvégien au centre d’éducation pour adultes. J’y ai étudié pendant deux ans avant de commencer dans une école normale. Je suis maintenant en dernière année, et je me suis fait plein de nouveaux amis. Je suis très sociable et j’aime rencontrer de nouvelles personnes.


A woman using a sewing machine.

After school I go to a centre run by volunteers where I get help with my homework. I have also joined a sewing course at the centre.

After school I go to a centre run by volunteers where I get help with my homework. I have also joined a sewing course at the centre.

Après les cours, je vais dans un centre tenu par des volontaires où je me fais aider pour mes devoirs. Je me suis aussi inscrite dans des cours de couture dans ce centre.


A woman studying in a library.

In Somalia I never went to school or did any courses except Quran school. I did not know how to read or write. Now I have learned how to write in both Somali and Norwegian, and many other subjects. Without education I felt I was nobody. Now I feel knowledgeable and happy.

In Somalia I never went to school or did any courses except Quran school. I did not know how to read or write. Now I have learned how to write in both Somali and Norwegian, and many other subjects. Without education I felt I was nobody. Now I feel knowledgeable and happy.

En Somalie je n’étais jamais allée à l’école et je n’ai jamais suivi de formations, sauf pour l’école Coranique. Je ne savais ni lire ni écrire. Maintenant j’ai appris à écrire à la fois en Somali et en Norvégien, et plein d’autres matières. Sans éducation, j’avais l’impression d’être personne. Maintenant je me sens instruite et heureuse.


A woman reading with a boy and girl.

Next year I will start secondary school in the health and youth development section. In the future I want to become a youth worker. When I have finished my education, my dream is to get a permanent job. I also want to learn how to drive and get my driver’s licence.

Next year I will start secondary school in the health and youth development section. In the future I want to become a youth worker. When I have finished my education, my dream is to get a permanent job. I also want to learn how to drive and get my driver’s licence.

L’année prochaine je vais rentrer au lycée dans la section de la santé et du développement de la jeunesse. À l’avenir, je veux devenir travailleuse sociale. Quand j’aurai terminé mes études, mon rêve est d’avoir un travail permanent. Je veux aussi apprendre à conduire et avoir mon permis de conduire.


A woman in a library thinking about a family.

If I had stayed in Somalia, I think I would have been a mother by now. Perhaps I would already have many children. If I had been in Somalia, I would not have had the same opportunities as I have had now. I feel lucky to live in Norway.

If I had stayed in Somalia, I think I would have been a mother by now. Perhaps I would already have many children. If I had been in Somalia, I would not have had the same opportunities as I have had now. I feel lucky to live in Norway.

Si j’étais restée en Somalie, je pense que j’aurais été une mère à présent. Peut-être que j’aurais déjà beaucoup d’enfants. Si j’avais été en Somalie, je n’aurais pas eu les mêmes opportunités que j’ai maintenant. Je me sens chanceuse de vivre en Norvège.


Written by: Aamiina
Illustrated by: Julie Cornelia van Walsum
Read by: Pip Hardy
Language: English
Level: Level 5
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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