Lauren Vance's exchange experience in Norway
29 year old Lauren Vance from Trillick & District YFC visited Norway in July 2026 as part of a two-week exchange trip through the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster travel programme. As part of her experience, Lauren kept a diary of what she got up to each week and for fellow members to read before they embark on an exchange of their own.
"Having never visited Norway before, I looked forward to experiencing a different culture and gaining insight into rural life in a new country. I spent both weeks in Trøndelag, but with two very different experiences", Lauren recalled.
"My first week was spent in Åsen, where I was hosted by Silje and Kristoffer. During my stay, I had the opportunity to visit a number of local attractions and learn more about the fascinating history of Stiklestad. One of the highlights was attending an outdoor Irish folk music event that Kristoffer was involved in. I was pleasantly surprised to realise that I knew most of the songs — well, at least the ones that were in English!
For my second week, I travelled further north to an area outside Kolvereid, where I stayed with Stine and her two children, Annabelle and Benjamin. Their home looked out over Årsetfjorden, just off the Fjords, and the location was absolutely incredible. The views were breathtaking, and I found myself mesmerised every time I stepped outside. It was one of those places where you could stop and simply take in the scenery, and it is certainly a view I will never forget.
I had the opportunity to go hiking and experience even more of the beautiful Norwegian countryside. Of course, no exchange would be complete without trying some local food! I got to try Sodd, a traditional Norwegian dish consisting of meat and vegetables in a broth. It was great to try a different dish, although I don't think I'll be making it in my own kitchen anytime soon. One of the most memorable parts of my exchange was getting to experience everyday family life. I appreciate that hosting someone for two weeks can be a big commitment for any family, which made me even more grateful for the kindness and hospitality shown by both of my host families. I was made to feel incredibly welcome — and even got to meet all the household pets along the way. There was a snail, dogs, chickens and a cat… so I certainly wasn’t short of company!
Taking two weeks away from working life can be difficult to organise, but this is an opportunity I absolutely do not regret. Initially, I was offered six weeks, however, 4H Norge were flexible and agreed to a TWO week exchange which suited my job better. The YFCU International Exchange gave me the chance to experience rural Norway, meet wonderful people, learn about a different culture and create memories that I will take home with me. Although I spent a full two weeks in Norway, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. There are so many more parts of Norway that I would love to explore, and I can say with certainty that this won’t be my last visit. I wish to thank YFCU, my host families and everyone who made my two weeks in Norway so memorable".
If you are an active YFCU member and wish to embark on an exchange like Lauren, please reach out to ruth.morrow@yfcu to register your interest in exploring different parts of the World!
