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Former Newark Math Teacher looking to transform the teaching and learning of mathematics and science throughout the United States. Trying to change the world, one student at a time.

Note: This is not an official Department of State website, and the views and information presented do not represent the Fulbright Program or the Department of State.

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“Here travels the brave at sea.” As we close out this decade, I am blessed that I had the opportunity to spend the past two weeks in Norway to learn about my cultural heritage. Although both of my grandfathers were Norwegian, I never learned anything about Norway while growing up; as such, I was excited to learn about the indigenous Sami culture of northern Norway, the incredible valor exhibited by the Vikings, the history of the Hanseatic League, and the culture and customs of modern day Norway. While I appreciate my Norwegian heritage now more than ever, my favorite part was learning about how significant naval navigation was throughout the course of Norwegian history. On one rune stick that was carved over one thousand years ago during the Medieval Ages (see the fourth picture above), a runic inscription proudly boasts that “here travels the brave at sea.” Norwegians have always led the world in exploring the unknown: the Vikings created trade routes connecting three continents, there is considerable evidence that the Hanseatic League traveled to North America and traded with Native Americans centuries before Columbus, Roald Amundsen was the first person to explore both the North and South Pole, and Thor Heyerdahl demonstrated the possibility of Incan contact with Polynesian Islands by floating on a raft made of balsa-wood for over 100 days. This past decade, I have been so privileged to continue this legacy and graciously had the opportunity to visit over 30 different countries, each with their own unique history and culture. In my travels, I have grown to tremendously appreciate the wealth to be found in diverse cultures. In doing so, I have learned so much about our country, our world, and perhaps most importantly, myself. Perhaps Andre Gide said it best: “Man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Godt nytt år! Here’s to another decade of exploring the world. 🇳🇴

Referring to the majestic fjords of Norway, perhaps Rick Riordan put it best: “Pretty doesn’t do it justice. I felt like we'd sailed into a world meant for much larger beings, a place where gods and monsters roamed freely.” (The Ship of the Dead, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #3) @visitnorway

God jul fra Norge! 🇳🇴 (Merry Christmas from Norway!)

My favorite Norwegian saying thus far: “Det er ikke noe som dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær,” which means, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” It was an interesting experience to explore the arctic circle in 24 hours of darkness, too!

Muchas gracias Perú por un viaje maravilloso. ¡Hasta la próxima vez!

Perhaps Anthony Bourdain put it best: "It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description. Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu, for instance, seem to demand silence... for a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and what happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there and lived to see it.”

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Andrew Paulsen

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