Looking advice about working in Norway
Hi everyone!
I'm a 24yo Australian male looking to apply for a working holiday in Norway later this year, and I'm feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed in my planning. Any bit of advice or guidance would be incredibly appreciated.
My focus is to engage with the culture and nature, meet some local friends, and hopefully enjoy the work I secure. I'm working on my Norwegian every day and hoping to get it to B1 profeciency by the time I arrive. I am fully eligible to apply for the WHV
Location
I have always assumed it would be best to live in Oslo so that I have the most opportunity to meet people, be open to a range of job opportunities, explore the social hub and it's culture and participate in events. Is this a good plan or should I consider some other places too? Do most WHV people live in the outer suburbs (for more affordable rent cost) and travel into Oslo for work or just find work in those suburbs?
Timing
I'm wanting to arrive in Norway in October. Is this a good time to find work / sharehousing? Is there any advantage to waiting another 6 months and arriving just before Norwegian summer in 2027?
Work
If I was to arrive in Olso in October, what kind of jobs will I have the most luck in applying to? What's in demand and open for foreigners? Can my degree and experience in animal handling be of any use?
Additional Questions
- Do I have to have a job secured in Norway before I can be granted a WHV? I haven't found a difinitive answer.
- Is sharehousing difficult to find, or particularly easier at certain times of the year?
- Is season ski resort work worth looking into? What locations offer such work?
- What is your favourite thing about Norway?
Obviously that's a lot of questions to ask. Any tips of bits of advice will go such a long way. I'm so very excited to travel to Norway. I have family roots there, and I want to connect with the culture to see if it's something I want to be a part of long term.
Thanks so much!