Catch 22 and language tests

Today I tried to register with the Norwegian state as living in Norway and searcing for work here.  The jobcentre office sent me to the tax office who sent me to the police.  The police then said they wouldn't register me as living here until I had a job.  I am going to have an interesting time getting a job without some kind of social security number which they won't give me until I am registered as living here.  Something doesn't quite add up but we'll keep going with the job hunting and hope it works out. 

To improve my day we went to the norwegian language test place and took an example of their level 2 (European framework level A2) test.  It was meant to take me about 1 hr 45 mins.  It actually took me more like 30 mins and I passed with flying colours.  I will admit to being completely shocked but more than a little happy.  Level 2 is the minimum you need to work in nurseries and after school clubs and suchlike.  I'm looking at taking the Level 3 (B1) course which is 2 days a week in school which leaves me 3 weekdays to work and the weekend.  I'm feeling really positive about the whole thing.  I really do speak enough Norwegian to survive here after all.

Introduction

I'm a 22 year old woman moving to Harstad in the North of Norway.  I speak some Norwegian, although not as much as I'd like and this will be my first experience of living in a country other than the UK.  I am moving here to live with my girlfriend who is Norwegian and has family in the city.  It's a terrifying and exciting time for both of us.

I intend to document my experiences and generally record how this goes.  Right now we are living with one or other of her parents which is great of them but we really need to find our own place to rent as soon as possible.  I'm also searching for a job, hopefully something will turn up in the few weeks.


I'm really nervous about living and working here fulltime, the North Norwegian dialect is a bit more of a challenge for me to understand and I know my Norwegian has a long way to go before I will feel confident all of the time.  Hopefully that will come along more quickly now that I'm using the language all the time. 

I'm far enough North that I should have a chance to experience the midnight Sun in the summer and the complete darkness thing in the winter.  It should be interesting for someone who has never dealt with it before and I really hope I adjust fairly quickly.  I've heard a lot about people having problems with depression because of it and I could really do without that on top of everything else.