Trouble for Spaniards in Oslo

It's a sad situation, that people from other countries are coming to Norway with no knowledge of the language and (apparently) no support group of compatriots. It seems stupid, but I suppose it must be desperation - combined, perhaps, with a belief that the tender-hearted Norskies won't let them starve.

I think Norway has a bit of a mythical reputation abroad, where people think there are no problems, the streets are paved with gold and everyone speaks English. They then get a shock when they arrive and find out that's not how it works. There is some help available, but it must be a miserable life to be here without a job or support network. As you say, I think these people are desperate so perhaps aren't thinking it through.

Somebody told me (I can't recall who) that the free classes in learning Norwegian are no longer available, Is that true, dmcart? They were (are?) sponsored by selected communas, I think. That would be important information for newcomers.

Ten years ago I sat in on two of the lessons, while visiting my son. I gave them a C grade for helpfulness. I then invested in a very expensive Berlitz course, which got an F grade - fail!

Free classes are only for foreigners outside the EU.