One Year in Norway: Teaching, Traveling, and Finding Perspective with Don Jenkins

·1 hr 8 min·5 clips

Don Jenkins taught more students in one year in Norway than in his entire 30-year teaching career in the US.

This episode features host Jason Moore interviewing Don Jenkins, a social studies teacher from Washington state who is spending a year teaching in Norway. Jenkins has taught for 30 years and traveled to over 30 countries, often using summer breaks and professional development opportunities. He is in Norway through a program where American teachers visit schools to conduct workshops on American history and government. Over seven months, Jenkins has visited about 35 schools and spoken to roughly 5,500 students and 100 teachers. He discusses the structure of Norwegian schools, where students in grades 8 through 10 stay in the same class for three years and frequently take outdoor education trips. Jenkins compares American individualism with a Norwegian focus on the common good, citing universal healthcare and low homelessness. He explains that he applied for the program after his children left for college and negotiated the year abroad with his wife, emphasizing communication and compromise. The conversation covers practical travel advice for Scandinavia, like using the "Too Good To Go" app for discounted food and planning transport early to save money. Jenkins shares a story about a long conversation with a Norwegian bus driver who collects classic American cars. He advocates for the teaching profession, noting its rewards and travel flexibility, and offers tips on public speaking, like starting with a joke to connect with an audience. A surprising insight is that Jenkins has taught more students in this single year in Norway than in his entire 30-year career in the U.S. He finds Norwegian chocolate, specifically Kvikk Lunsj, superior to KitKat and learns local history through casual conversations with residents. Jenkins also observes that Norwegian hotel breakfasts are exceptionally generous and affordable. The tone is conversational and reflective, blending travelogue with career and lifestyle advice. It is educational, focusing on cultural exchange and practical travel strategies. This episode would appeal to educators, travelers interested in Scandinavia, and anyone considering a mid-career sabbatical or cultural immersion. Listeners seeking highly structured itineraries or fast-paced adventure stories might find it less engaging.

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