Graduation times

Here in Norway it is graduation time for those finishing the equivalent to upper secondary school, high school or A-levels, depending where you are from. They do celebrate in what I consider a odd way, could be because it is so different to the way it is done in Sweden.

 These 18-20 year olds that are graduating basically party from 1st May until 17th May (which happens to be Norway's independence day and my birthday) driving from town to town, drinking, partying and trying to show off with the loudest cars (the louder the car, the more status you get). They also have this sort of uniform with different colours to show off what kind of school they graduated from and wear some rather odd looking red "russe" hats. In each town that is a official "Russe" (graduation) organiser, there are several events planned and bands playing etc. just for the graduates.

In Sweden the celebration only lasts for one day. It starts of with excessive drinking early in the day starting around 9-10 in the morning. Lunch either at school or at a restaurant with fellow soon to be ex class mates. In the early afternoon the graduates get "let out" of school one class at a time, where they usually stand on the door steps and sing graduation songs.

Beyond them there is a sea of friends and family of every single graduate. The family will usually be holding a sign of some kind with most often a embarrassing childhood picture of the graduate. After the obligatory congratulations and hugs from ones family, all the former students race to a vehicle specially rented and decorated for the occasion. Most often a large lorry, tractor or convertible pimped up with massive speakers, home made signs and sprigs and leaves. These cars and lorries will drive slowly around town with all the (most often by now very drunk) graduates, showing off that they managed to graduate school. After all this, it is time for the party to start. Usually there is a party at home once again with family and friends, lots of food and booze, then its time to go clubbing!

Next morning, the newly graduated young adults will wake up with a severe hangover and trying to cope with being labelled unemployed instead of students.

As you can see in the pictures, the standard clothes to wear for a graduation is the standard "studenten" hat, which looks very similar to a sailors hat, white dresses for girls and regular suits for the guys.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from my own graduation here. Otherwise, those would be the ones you would get to see. Instead you will need to make due with these other random people.

As I can see that I have readers from literally the whole world, from USA and El Salvador to all over Europe all the way to Malaysia and Japan. I would love to know how you all celebrate this occasion. Write to me, comment or send me pictures. :)