this post was submitted on 09 Mar 2026
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Off My Chest

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I want to move already (nord.pub)
submitted 1 day ago by BeckyStjerne@nord.pub to c/goodoffmychest@lemmy.world
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Hi, I’m using this because it’s the instance I’m on right now and I can connect with Scandinavian people and talk about it. I lowkey want to move to Norway or something but anywhere is fine as long as it’s not the USA. Problems? Money, I can’t just move to another country in a snap, and my family is super Trumper and patriotic. They are super against moving to another country and learning another language

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[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Are you planning to goto college? It’s tough to make such a huge change at your age, but perhaps there are smaller changes that would help, while also building toward more ability to change countries, should you prefer that.

  • for full time college, many people live at school, away from unwanted relatives
  • many colleges are more liberal
  • many colleges are in more liberal parts of the us
  • college can help set you up for a job that lets you afford things like moving to another country
  • maybe you can apply to a college in a different country

I don’t know anything specific about Norway, but I’m sure they have colleges and most countries are more welcoming to people with college degrees

As a teenager, it may be more achievable to apply to full time colleges in a liberal state, or in a different country

[–] Wilco@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 hours ago

I dream of moving as well, but the prospect is daunting. What country to choose?

[–] morgunkorn@discuss.tchncs.de 17 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Hey I feel you, the current situation is excruciating.

start making plans, put money to the side to work towards that goal. Make connections, learn the language. Take it one step at a time, migrating is a big process that has many many aspects.

Get started today.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 8 points 1 day ago

Thank you 🥹 I will definitely try getting citizenship with my Dad

[–] dumples@piefed.social 4 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I can see that you are below 18 so you have plenty of time to move and see the world. What I would recommend is focus on closer goals like college or a travel year. If college is something you want to do you can always apply to colleges in Norway or think about studying abroad for a semester / year. I did a semester in Norway and really loved it. I was one of only two Americans at the University (the other was a grad student). I spent a lot of time with other Europeans who were studying abroad as well. It's a great way to test out living abroad and can make connections to live their full time

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks for the advice! Så kan du norsk eller ikke? And that is amazing!!!

[–] dumples@piefed.social 3 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

My Norwegian is not very good. Since I went to the Norwegian Institute of Life Science to continue to biology education all my classes were in English. (There isn't really a large enough population to make or even use Norwegian textbooks at this level).

So everyone wanted to practice their english with me and since my roommates were German I practiced my German with them. We all struggled to do a little Norwegian speaking. Most of us like myself included got by with some words and focusing on the written word. Which is a great skill to learn

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Ahhh ok, I’m learning German next year!!! My Norwegian isn’t so good either but I’m trying 🤞

[–] dumples@piefed.social 3 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

There's a lot of overlap between English, German and Norwegian when written. Anything is better than nothing

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 2 points 18 hours ago

That's very true! I can understand the gist of basic Norwegian sentences and therefore Swedish even due to the similarities! I was conversing with a Swedish guy and he understood me!

[–] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 8 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Do you have a passport?

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 2 points 1 day ago

Knowing my Grandpa, he’d say “Why can’t you just live here?” And convince me it’s the greatest country in the world and Trump is a simple man “doing what he can to make our country thrive”

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 2 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Good point. I wish, I’ll have to ask my family to help me get one

[–] Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

If you need help getting a passport I think you should reflect on changing your whole world by moving to another country without money, knowledge, family or, well anything it seems.

Have you been there?

Sorry if I'm sounding downbeat but better safe than sorry (sometimes, I did exactly what you want to do, at 24, and it was a wild ride, I absolutely does not regret it but I had some plans before leaving at least).

Good luck to you!

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Why do you need their help? I think it’s $165 to get the passport and it’s good for 10 years (truthfully closer to only 9 or so years as that final year certain places won’t accept your soon to expire passport). Here’s a link to the application

[–] Cevilia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 hours ago

Also not everyone is privileged enough to just have $165 sitting around.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Thanks! I’m only 15, sadly

[–] Brainsploosh@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

Combining all the advice in the thread, could you find a school or programme that excites you and convince your guardians that you want to move there both for the opportunity and to experience the world?

The scandies are quite specialised and excel in a couple areas in stuff like life science, metallurgy, pedagogy, community counseling, medicine. Maybe you can find something aligning with one of your interests and a college/uni (and maybe a prep school if ypu want to get away earlier) with a good programme?

Maybe you can sell them on doing an exchange year sooner to try out if it's a good match for you?

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

Oof... That's a rough position. You're basically going to spend years around a family you can't really trust while also relying on them. It's not an easy situation. It IS a survivable one.

[–] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 2 points 23 hours ago

Just say you want to travel, maybe research a couple countries you want to "vacation"

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Are you an adult (18+)? Do you work in an industry that could facilitate your move? By that I mean to ask if your profession would be in deman in Norway. Do you have or are eligible for dual citizenship (Norwegian parent)?

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’m 15 with no job yet, and IDK if I’m eligible, I just have ancestry and culture from there

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ok. So, bad news all around.

At 15 you are fully dependent on your parents, and if they are Trumpers, I don't see that happening.

I focused on Switzerland, but the following pretty much applies across the board. You can emigrate to countries like Norway if you can demonstrate a desired skillset, a local employer is willing to hire you, and you can demonstrate a strong, taxable, local income. I'm super oversimplifying, but regardless, at 15 this is not an option.

Unless one of your parents is a citizen of Norway, which would allow you to claim dual citizenship, you cannot get a passport.

In all, you're shit out of luck. I'm sorry. Truly.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

Awh, thank you anyway

I will try again when I’m older

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 3 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, you're 15, so you're stuck for a few years, but that doesn't mean you can't make a plan.

  • You'll need money, so start saving now. Jobs are limited at 15, but you might be able to get a fast food job. If not, mowing lawns, cleaning garages, etc. are still good jobs for kids. Save like a maniac, and when you turn 18 nobody can tell you what to do, because you have your own money to fund your decisions.

  • Start researching your target nation's immigration laws. Start tailoring your career path toward an industry that your target country is more likely to welcome.

  • Start learning the language. They may not teach it in high school, so you may have to rely on apps, software, YouTube etc. Find a local cultural club, and practice you're language skills. If you dig in, you can be pretty fluent in 3 years.

  • Research educational opportunities, you may be able to go to a college in your target country, and there may be scholarships.

  • Research career opportunities, many counties welcome Americans who can teach English to their citizens. It might be a good way to get you there, and get settled.

  • Keep quiet. This is YOUR life, and the people around you aren't supportive, so don't let anyone know what you're planning. You don't need them sabotaging your plans by doing things like confiscating your money (which they have the legal right to do). Just keep it to yourself, stay focused, work your plan, and take heart in knowing that you will be in full control of your own destiny when you turn 18.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks so much! I do wanna be an English teacher, actually!!! I will definitely try my best to move there especially if things get bad in the US

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 3 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 21 hours ago

Thanks so much!!!

[–] Asafum@lemmy.world 3 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

In a few years you could possibly try to get accepted to a college in another country and use the student visa as a foot in the door.

[–] BeckyStjerne@nord.pub 3 points 23 hours ago

That’s perfect!!! I will also try for school trips in my high school