Hello,
My name is Thomas Erik Nielsen. I was born and raised in the Bay Area and am a dual citizen of the United States and Denmark.
My mother tongue is American English, but I have lived in Denmark for a number of years and speak Danish fluently. I have studied in both Denmark and the United States and have degrees from both countries.
YSC has played an important role in my life after getting re-involved in 1999 (Both my parents were members and I guess you could say I was born into the club). YSC has kept my cultural connection to Denmark and Scandinavia strong and active. I built many friendships with Danes and Scandinavians through the YSC, and I still maintain contact with them today, whether they are living in the States or back in Scandinavia. Some of my favorite activities in the YSC—and some of my fondest memories—consist of the following:

• Waterskiing and Wakeboarding up at the YSC Clear Lake Cabin
• The Annual Yosemite Trip
• Socializing, Laughing and Dancing at the Clear Lake Cabin
• The City Parties
• The Crazy YSC Canoe Trip in July

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get involved with the most active Scandinavian Club in the Bay Area, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Med venlig hilsen, Thomas Erik Nielsen

Hello,
My name is Andreas. I was born and raised in Sweden where I spent the first 20 years of my life. I came to the US in the early 90s for university studies. I graduated and realized a lot of people back home wanted to come to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Silicon Valley so I figured I would stick around for a while. I am still here and couldn't be happier. There are not many places on this earth which brings the variety which is available to us who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Young Scandinavian Club has done a lot to contribute to this through the various activities and events it organizes.
I didn't join YSC until 2002 even though I had known about the club for many years. My Sierra hiking plans for the midsummer weekend had fallen through because of too much snow on the trails combined with forest fires on other parts of the trail (only in California). So midsummer weekend and no plans, midsummer = Swedish party = Swedes in the bay area = YSC = YSC midsummer weekend up at Clearlake. This weekend was a great introduction to the club with a great combination of fun people, waterskiing, food, and festivities. Ever since this weekend I have enjoyed the different events the YSC puts on.
So far, some of my favorite memories with the club are:

• Waterskiing up at Clearlake
• Swedish christmas dinner at the YSC Tahoe Cabin
• Mountain biking on the flume trail along Lake Tahoe
• Hiking half dome
• The YSC Halloween Party and other Happy Hour Events around the city

In summary, this is just a great club to meet people and have fun and there is something for every person of every age. If you are interested in more information or have any questions then feel free to throw me an email. However, the best way to find out what it is all about is simply to start going to some of the events.
Mvh,
Andreas

Hej! Davs!,
My name is Jennifer and I have been a member since 2003. I joined the YSC because my father and all of his family is from Denmark. My Danish family is scattered around Copenhagen, Taastrup, Gentøfte, Charlöttenlund and Helsingør. My Father and his 3 siblings lived and grew up in Espagærde after WWII. My father's brother and his family actually reside in Gran Canaria, Spain! My Father immigrated to the USA when he was barely 20 years old in 1955. I joined the YSC because I wanted to learn more about my heritage and people who knew where Denmark was on the globe. As sad as it sounds many Americans have no clue about Scandinavia and all its greatness!

These last few years have flown by because they have been so much fun. I got involved in the club's events in 2005 and decided I would help plan them all in '06 when I was Master of Ceremonies. In 2007 and again now in 2008, I am President of this wonderful organization. I can't even begin to describe to you how many amazing, talented, genuine and friendly people belong to the YSC. There are many first generationers like myself in the club, so don't feel discouraged to join simply because you weren't born over there or speak the language. We have plenty of traditional events to help you learn more about where you come from!
Jenn

Hi
My name is Terese Hoibye. I was born and raised in Oslo, Norway, but have relatives in Sweden as well, and spent most summers there.
I moved to New York after college for further studies. My plan was to stay for a year, then I stayed another, and another, and I finally ended up in the Bay Area in 2001. One year became 8, with still no plans of moving back. I speak to my family, who are all back in Norway, frequently and go back to visit 1-2 times a year so I keep my Norwegian language up and get my dose of "Norwegianess".
I joined YSC about a year or so ago, and started getting more involved this fall. For me it is a great way to keep in touch with my culture here in the Bay Area and to meet other fun Scandinavians.
Venlig hilsen, Terese

Hi, My name is Pia. I was born in Outokumpu, Finland and ended up here in the United States via Jyväskylä, Helsinki and Toronto, Canada.
I speak both Finnish and English fluently. I maintain my Finnish by speaking it on the phone weekly with my parents who are in Finland. We also travel back to Finland about once a year.
I joined YSC in 2001. I was ecstatic to find such a great social club. It provided good balance to working in the hectic Silicon Valley. To start, I went on a few hikes and within a few weeks ended up at the Clearlake Cabin.
My second weekend at Clearlake, Fiesta Weekend in June of 2001, turned out to be one of the most important events in my life. That is when Joel and I met and as they say, the rest is history… We got married in 2003! Every club event reminds us how thankful we are to the YSC for having brought us together. The club has also enriched our lives by bringing wonderful friends to our lives.

• Relaxing on the dock at the YSC Clear Lake Cabin
• Midsummer and Cray Fish parties at Clearlake
• Visiting Tahoe Cabin in the summer with a group of 16
• Giant blisters from Yosemite hikes made worth by unbelievable views
• Friends!!!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get involved with such a fun organization! The people you'll meet may end up the closest friends of your life and the amazing value both Clearlake and Tahoe deliver are just too good to pass up.

Ystävällisin terveisin, Pia

My name is Johanna Svandis Palmadottir Johannesson. Yes, it is a mouthful, and a long story, which I won’t bore you with here. I was born in Trondheim, Norway, and left this beautiful country at the ripe old age of two, unfortunately before I had mastered the language and cross-country skiing. My parents returned home to the geothermally active, beautiful, sunny and unknown island, Iceland!! (It’s true, back then, we were hardly on the map, while now, we are considered cool (no pun intended). Now, as for sunny, I leave those of you who are not Icelanders to travel there and find out for yourselves. Icelandair is flying direct, San Fran to Reykjavik.)
I grew up in Iceland, with intermittent travels and residency abroad to foreign lands, such as Switzerland, Nigeria, and Brazil. I missed home, especially the summer and the holidays. I missed friends and family, but I also missed the traditions I grew up with, such as certain foods (ponnukokur, lakkris, kransakokur), Christmas and Easter preparations and celebrations, camping trips during the summer, cultural attitudes and points of view, and the list goes on. One thing I did not miss, Brennivin!
I ended up in California for school, and upon graduating, decided to stay to work. I’ve spent most my time in Los Angeles and have recently returned to San Francisco. I am a recent member of YSC, and have only attended one event: the Midsommer Party. I had so much fun, and felt so reconnected with Scandinavia, that I have decided to become more involved to get those Icelanders involved. While there are not many of us, I’ve heard through the grapevine that there are a few Icelanders in the Bay Area, and I know they would enjoy the club. Since I have decided not to return to Iceland any time soon, this is a good alternative to tap into my heritage, in addition to the following:

• Meeting other Scandinavians and people who share an interest in our culture
• Adventure and outdoor trips (emphasis on adventure) of all kinds, such as to Clearlake and Lake Tahoe (where, perhaps during the winter season at Lake Tahoe I can finally master cross-country skiing);
• Drinking Aquavit and eating all sorts of Scandinavian food, and I am telling you, the food is amazing, thanks to the great cooks!!!
• So, I recommend exploring this alternative to the one of going home.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the club, how to get involved, and what to expect.  Do not be shy.  We are here to support you and have fun Scandinavian style.  Skal!

Kærar Kveðjur, Jóhanna