This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!
Interviews with Expats – Mert Akin from Sandnes Judo
Where are you from?
Difficult question to answer. I was born in Turkey and grew up in Australia. I feel I belong to more than one place! 3rd culture kid, they call my type.
What brought you to Stavanger/Norway?
Met my wife in Sydney, who is from Stavanger.
How do you find living here so far?
Let us just say Stavanger and I have learned to tolerate each other. Cold, wet, dark winters in Stavanger are still a challenge for a big city boy like me. Stavanger is however, safe and quiet. The adjustment period for any aspiring expat will, to a great degree, be affected by the size of this city and the size of its rain clouds, which are inversely proportional.
After living here for 3 years, do you feel like you have integrated into the lifestyle and culture here?
Well, that depends on how one defines Stavanger lifestyle and culture, but I feel I have managed to re-discover some of my old passions, whilst discovering new Norwegian ones at the same time (long-distance sports of various kinds). I had been involved in the sport of Judo since my early days at the University and National level in Australia. I was therefore pleasantly surprised after my sun and fun filled Judo days in Oz to find a local Judo outlet in Sandnes.
Do you have any advice for people who are new to Stavanger?
Arrive in the spring and hit the ground running with the socially blossoming locals. Make an effort to get social before the winter arrives and everyone retreats into their “cosy” space. This is no Sydney, nor Istanbul. You have to work hard and be patient to build something that resembles a social network. If you are into outdoor sports, knock yourself out with many alternatives. If not, you could always take up Judo and literally knock yourself out.
Can you tell us about the Sandnes Judo Club?
Judo is one of the most internationalized sports in the Olympic Games, and regardless of where in world you may end up, your local club will likely have a multicultural setting and have an open-door policy. Thus largest multicultural gathering to have occurred in Rogaland ever since they discovered oil in Ekofisk in 1969, has to be my Judo club in Sandnes. Sandnes Judo Club is as multicultural as the club I trained at many years back in Sydney with up to 14 nationalities represented. They have the largest dedicated judo training centre in Norway with classes for all age groups.
Can you tell us some about Judo and why you enjoy it?
Judo is a Japanese martial art founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882, who envisioned it as a way of becoming physically and mentally fit through training. An Olympic Sport since 1962, Judo is now the most widely practiced martial art in the World. I like Judo or many reasons: there is a depth of meaning and philosophy deeper than Lysefjord, and higher than Preikestolen. All achieved without getting terribly cold and wet. Judo is about the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength, and focuses on refinement and discipline. The philosophy follows that by improving one`s self does the individual also contribute to the improvement of community at large. Let us make it clear: you will not be able to walk across water like a Ninja, or execute mind-control techniques like a Jedi (though some of us try) but you will inevitably get stronger, more flexible, disciplined – and have a lot of fun.
What types of classes are offered?
Sandnes Judo Club offers classes for adults, and age groups all the way down to children between 3 and 6 years old. We have a good group of parents who have taken up Judo after their children.
Are your classes held in English and Norwegian?
Yep, when the situation demands it. Depending on the day, you may additionally get Russian, Lithuanian, Polish or Chechenian versions of what it being talked about! But most of the time English is used as a common denominator when a non-Norwegian speaker is present. Not that we sit around and chat a great deal during training. Judo is practical and hands-on. It requires dedication and will make you incredibly fit.
Where is the Club located?
Sandnes Judo Club is located at Hovebakken 7, in Sandnes. Click here for map.
What is the best way for people to learn more about the Club?
A great deal of information is on the club´s website: www.sandnesjudo.no. You can send an email or ring the contacts. They are always happy to have one more on the mat. May our paths cross one day on the mat!
Thank you Mert, We wish you the best of luck in Norway!
Related Articles
About Fonda LaShay
Fonda is an American who has been living in Stavanger since July of 2008 with her Norwegian samboer. She enjoys tea, visiting with friends, music, taking photos and traveling. She loves the rain, but really dislikes when her feet get wet - this is always challenging since it rains so often in Stavanger. Follow Fonda LaShay on Google+ Fonda is a design blogger - blogging about design, architecture, photography, and music. Check out her blog!
