09 December 2025
One Year in Norway: Teaching, Traveling, and Finding Perspective with Don Jenkins
Zero To Travel Podcast
About
What happens when you step out of your life for a year to live, work, and connect in a completely different culture?
Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way.
This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk.
Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble.
What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.
Tune In To Learn:
Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year
How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools
Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values
How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher
What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country
Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps
The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling
Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story
How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears
And so much more
Resources:
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Don on Instagram
American-Scandinavian Foundation
Fulbright Roving Scholars
Too Good To Go App
Want More?
Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins
Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway
Walking the World: A Deeper Exploration of Culture and Community with Chris Arnade
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don Jenkins is a 27-year high-school teacher from Washington state who spent a full academic year in Norway through the Fulbright Roving Scholar Program. Based in Oslo but constantly on the move, he traveled the country visiting schools and giving workshops on American history and government, reaching thousands of students along the way.
This episode explores Don’s journey as a cultural ambassador, educator, and traveler. We talk about the surprising differences between Norwegian and American school systems, how living abroad shifts your view of home, and what it takes to build connection across cultures - whether you’re in a classroom, a sauna, or a sawed-off tuk tuk.
Whether or not you’re a teacher, Don’s experience is full of lessons on curiosity, communication, and how to embrace the unfamiliar. From practical travel tips to deeper reflections on history, education, and societal values, this episode is a reminder of how much growth comes from stepping outside your bubble.
What’s one lesson you’ve picked up while traveling that changed how you see your home? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.
Tune In To Learn:
Why Don took a sabbatical to teach abroad in Norway for a year
How his “roving teacher” job works and the logistics of living in Oslo while visiting 30+ schools
Surprising insights about Norwegian classrooms, school culture, and community values
How to implement cultural lessons at home, even if you’re not a teacher
What it means to be a “mini ambassador” and have real conversations about your home country
Budget-friendly tips for traveling in Norway, including food hacks and local apps
The role of curiosity in building connections while traveling
Why honest history matters, and what happens when we don’t teach the full story
How being away from family for so long can be hard and insight on managing travel fears
And so much more
Resources:
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Don on Instagram
American-Scandinavian Foundation
Fulbright Roving Scholars
Too Good To Go App
Want More?
Cracking the Cultural Code, Ethical Travel To Indigenous Areas, & Life in Norway With Lorelou Desjardins
Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway
Walking the World: A Deeper Exploration of Culture and Community with Chris Arnade
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Holafly - Get 10% off your annual Holafly eSIM with code “ZEROTOTRAVEL”
Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices