(News of Norway, issue 5, 1995)
The Norway-America Association organizes the annual Ambassador Robert D. Stuart Fellowship, named for the man who served as U.S. ambassador to Norway from 1980 to 1986. Christiansen is the third attendee to spend six months on Capitol Hill. The fellowship is competitive and is presented to people under 35 who have a strong political interest and have been active in a political party.
Ms. Christiansen received the fellowship because of her involvement in Norwegian politics. During her stay in America she has attended Senate hearings and written summaries for the Senator's legislative aides.
Presently she is working on a master's degree in political science at the University of Oslo. In addition to getting an education, her interest has been politics. She, she was elected president of the Norwegian School Student Union just after high school. Then as an undergraduate she was president of the European School Student Union. As she gained experience, her involvement in organization work turned toward party politics and the Norwegian Young Conservatives where from 1990-1994 she served as Vice Chairman.
In an interview with News of Norway, she described her experience in Washington with pride and pleasure: On working for Senator Lugar, she said "I am proud to work for such a distinguished and respected senator. Lugar is a GOP presidential contender for the 1996 nomination. Also he is member of the Foreign Relations Committee and chairs the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. This has been a great learning experience for me. I have been able to ask questions, study how a Senator's office functions, and have free access to both the Congressional Research Center as well as the Library of Congress."
Impressed by both the city of Washington and Capitol Hill, she said "I am impressed that Washington as a small town can administer 260 million people and host many international organizations, making decisions affecting so many people. It's also fascinating to experience the openness and accessibility within the political system. Senator Lugar for instance receives more than 500 letters a day from his constituencies. Each one of them are answered. I also like their system with open hearings. I think this is something the Norwegian political system can learn from. Everybody can learn how each politician voted."
This was Christiansen's first trip to the United States. The casual behavior of Americans and their belief that everything is possible are some of the things that have impressed her the most. "Thinking positive, I thought, was just a slogan, but it seems to be a way of life," Julie notes. "One is allowed to be successful. It's inspiring to experience such attitudes. The individual has responsibility for himself; this might have disadvantages but it definitely opens doors as well.
"'The land of opportunities,' I have heard of but thought of as a historical remark. It is something Americans live by. Americans are more open for second chances, while in the Norwegian society I think we are more afraid to fail and to be judged by other people. On the other hand, there are of course aspects of American society that need revisions, and one that jumps out at me is health care. I think the basic feeling of safety and security has been lost here. There are no assurances that someone will take care of you if you one day may need this. Unless you pay for it of course. Simultaneously, Americans, at least on the surface, are better at maintaining family values. Generations live more separated in Norway than here."
In addition to paying attention to political happenings, this visitor has followed the Oklahoma City bombing closely in newspapers and on television. "It's scary to see how strong antipathies toward the federal system can lead to such acts of violence. The human tragedy is enormous.
"The United States of America is most certainly a complex nation with its weaknesses as well as strengths. The strengths in many instances override the weaknesses. It has been a great experience, and I'll be back!"