Having a native partner helps significantly. If I had come here alone, I would have left basically immediately. I’ve been in Norway now for 3 years and the things my husband has done for me: read my Norwegian mail, explained administrative matters like how to exchange my drivers license, explains cultural norms like why people push you in the grocery store, helped me open a bank account which took 2 months, knew how to buy a house and secure a mortgage. Things I was able to do on my own: get a job, apply for and maintain my visa.

In our first year here the reality of being an illiterate adult really crashed down on me. I needed him for everything because I couldn’t be trusted to buy the right kind of jam at the grocery store alone.

It’s gotten much better, but I still need him for many things I would do easily on my own in my native country.