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A man, woman and boy walking through an airport.

Coming to Norway Coming to Norway

Written by Aamiina

Illustrated by Julie Cornelia van Walsum

Read by Pip Hardy

Language English

Level Level 5

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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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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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