Petr from the Czech Republic: studying Physical Education, Sport and Outdoor Learning at campus Notodden

Petr hiking in Norway

"Thanks for the opportunity to stay in such an amazing country. I am really thankful for this age when we can travel and we have so many opportunities - we just should use them and do not be afraid".

Hei Petr,

How are you? We would like to ask you a few questions about your experience here in Norway.

Could you tell us in brief about the subjects you are currently taking?

My course is focused on the content of Friluftsliv, what is something really specific for Scandinavia, especially Norway. The teacher's main aim is to bring us a part of Norwegian culture through some courses, trips, practical lessons and also theoretical and history of Physical education,  Outdoor learning and Friluftsliv.

 What did you expect about life in Norway? Was it different from expected, if so – how?

This is my second Erasmus in Norway. I absolved erasmus on NIH in Oslo (sport medicine). After the first one, I fell in love with Norway and decided to live here in the future. I really love the freedom in Nature here, culture, people, simply everything. I like time here in Notodden much more than in Oslo. 

Petr ice bathing

Please share one story from your life that will make us get to know something special about you.

If you have to choose some normal story (I am not really normal), I would more choose some highlights of my life:

- I studied chemistry for 5 years, then I decided to begin to study something more outdoory, something I really like and is more like my hobby.
- Was the year 2016 and I hiked Mont Blanc with my friend, because of his Acute Mountain Sickness we had to overnight in an emergency shelter at 4200 MOH without sleeping-bags and I was really close to freeze (was around -25 Celsius degrees). But the next morning we reached the peak. 
 I have also run the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (CCC) last year - Trailrun race for 104 km and 6400m+ elevation (finished in 18 hours). I do this kind of sport.
- After Mont Blanc I crossed Corsicas GR20 trek and became the Mountain guide for this location the same year.
- I have worked like the Mountain guide also in Montenegro, Italy or here in Norway.

- I have lived one semester in Oslo. After this decided to live in Norway and work as a Guide and team-bulding organizer.

Petr running in the woods

Anything you want to share with other students and employees that you think they should learn about your home country?

- In the Czech Republic (Czechia) we have the best net of touristic paths in the world. We are also the most touristic nationality in the world. We don't have really high mountains, but we love them. We also love a beer (you can buy in pubs for 10 Kr, in shops for 4 Kr), so there is lot of pubs on the mountains peaks. There is 10 million inhabitants in Czechia, but the country is too small, so it is almost impossible to be in nature for more than one day alone (to do not meet anybody).

Any other feedback you would like to share with us?

Thanks for the opportunity to stay in such an amazing country. I am really thankful for this age when we can travel and we have so many opportunities -  we just should use them and do not be afraid.

Here you can read more stories from exchange students at USN.

Bio:

Petr Pavlis from the Czech Republic

Home University: Palacký University - Faculty of physical culture

Study programme in Norway:

Physical Education, Sport and Outdoor Learning at campus Notodden