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2 minute read
Frank and Irene Groenbos first met representatives from Sauda at the Emigration Expo in 2024. One year later, with a job offer in hand and plans in place, their family of four is preparing to start a new life in this scenic corner of Southwest Norway.
Photo: Martine van Toledo - Flair Fotografie
It all started at the Emigration Expo in the Netherlands in March 2024. Among the many conversations held at the Southwest Norway stand, one in particular has grown into something more lasting. Frank and Irene Groenbos were exploring the idea of a new life abroad, somewhere quieter, greener, and more grounded. They weren’t looking for a big city, but also not for total isolation. They wanted a place where their family of four could feel at home.
At the expo, they met representatives from Sauda and the wider Ryfylke region, including Endre Abotnes from Sauda Vekst, Sander Stielstraa from Rogaland County Council, and Stine Skrunes from Sauda Municipality. Those first conversations planted a seed. Frank, a project engineer with Shell in the Netherlands, was curious about work opportunities. Irene, a former teacher who now works as an artist, was seeking a peaceful place to create. Most of all, they were looking for a setting that could bring out the best in their two young adult children.
One moment stayed with them. They learned that Sauda has a bakery that employs people who have faced barriers to entering the labour market. Their daughter Veerle is a trained baker but struggles with stress due to her autism. The idea that a small town could offer both meaningful work and a supportive environment made an impression.
In the months that followed, they kept in touch with their contacts in Sauda, practised Norwegian, and gathered information. The process was not without setbacks. Job applications went unanswered and doubts crept in. At times, the dream seemed out of reach.
Then, in March 2025, they returned to Norway, this time to see the region for themselves. During their visit, Frank was able to secure a job interview with Omega 365 through Endre. They visited Sauda but also nearby towns like Sand in Suldal and Ølensvåg in Vindafjord to get a better sense of everyday life in the area.
That trip changed everything. Within weeks, Frank was offered a position and the move was set in motion. The family is now busy preparing for their relocation in early June. Their house in the Netherlands is being sold, a moving company booked, and paperwork gathered. But the practical side has not been easy. Gaps in systems between the Netherlands and Norway, such as insurance and registration, have made the transition more complex than expected. Still, they are finding solutions one step at a time.
The family has secured a temporary home in Åbøyen, close to Sauda’s town centre. They are drawn to the idea of having space and quiet nearby without being cut off from community life. Making local connections is a priority, especially for their children. Their son Julian, who first encouraged the family to consider Norway, dreams of opening his own bakery one day. For Veerle, a location close to animals and nature means a great deal. In the Netherlands, she works part-time at a petting zoo. Finding something similar in Sauda, ideally in combination with bakery work, would be a dream.
Frank and Irene hope for a daily rhythm where work, creativity and outdoor life can exist side by side. They imagine afternoons spent hiking, barbecuing or paddling a canoe. Irene is especially excited to see how her art might evolve in her new surroundings.
There is still uncertainty. The family doesn’t yet know if everyone will find their place or how long it will take to settle fully. But they are doing this together and that gives them strength.
Their advice to others? Be prepared for delays and confusion, but stay open. A new chapter doesn’t have to start with certainty. It starts with connection.
Photo: Martine van Toledo - Flair Fotografie
