| dc.description.abstract | As the conclusive thesis of the Nordic Friluftsliv master at the University of South-Eastern Norway, this paper aims at combining two different basic understandings of the friluftsliv experience. Following a group of five international exchange students enrolled in a course titled “Nordic Backcountry Skiing and Outdoor Leadership” I gathered a certain understanding of how and why this experience is unique. Phenomenology and a social constructivist perspective provide the theoretical basis for this research project, with a combination of interviews, observations and diary/journal entries being used as the methods for data gathering. Insights into what participants pay attention to in the outdoors, as well as narratives of lived experiences resulted from the project. Among other results, it has been found out that the intensity and level of challenge of a situation define what participants pay attention to. Also, concepts of social constructivism such as capital and the pursuit of recognition were clearly identified in this context. Overall, the two theoretical standpoints proved to be complementary to a certain extent, facilitating a sufficient analysis of the friluftsliv experience. | |
