‘Hey, let’s start an exchange program with the sports-club of some other cool University, - how about Oslo? Let’s do it!’
We certainly did not dream of such an easy start, but it actually was! When travelling to Oslo for the Global Ecotourism conference, Tobi just called a number he found on the internet portal of OSI, the sports-club of the University of Oslo. And that was a direct hit, as Magnus of OSI became immediately enthusiastic about the idea of starting an exchange with Freiburg University. Both places have enormous outdoor-sports potential: Freiburg with the Black Forest and the close-by Alps offers more than one could ask for. And Oslo, we would learn, does not take second place!
Magnus invited us to join them for their Friluftsliv-happening that OSI is organising every September. Tobi and I had the chance to get to know OSI and their way of doing things. We spent a few days in Oslo first. Vigdis and her friends showed us some beautiful climbing spots with superb rock just half an hour away from town. Soon we travelled with the lot up north to a tiny place called Lom. We did some rock climbing, even went skiing, and had one of the best parties ever (including a ‘Vorspiel’, - too bad that this phrase has a completely different meaning in Norway). It turned out that we had many things in common! And as Norwegians have very good English language skills, it was mostly easy to communicate.
All in all, we had such a good time! Norway is a beautiful country, but it was the people we got to know that contributed to that great experience! They made us quickly feel at home. We will do our best to give them back that feeling when they come visit us.
Melchsee-Frutt / Switzerland! 

The Norwegian way of climbing: Always bring your barbecue!

naturally, Norwegians are telemark-skiers!