Written by Bridget Bennett
July 10, 2024
Knowing where we come from is an almost universal desire, something Sioux Falls native Maureen Ohm has wanted to explore for years.
“The most significant heritage on my mom's side is Norwegian, and neither mom or I had visited the country previously,” Maureen Ohm said.
From visiting their ancestral farm to meeting distant relatives and exploring the vast countryside and landscapes their Scandinavian ancestors grew up in, Ohm, her parents, her husband, and two sons were all able to visit Norway this Spring. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip made possible thanks to MarketBeat’s sabbatical program.
“I am very grateful for the sabbatical program because it empowered me to dream big about travel,” Ohm said.
Ohm started working at MarketBeat in 2019, first serving as an executive assistant and now also serving as the organization’s director of community relations. Just two years after working for the Sioux Falls-based media company, MarketBeat announced its new sabbatical program, giving all employees an extra two weeks of vacation and $5,000 to help with travel expenses for their paid sabbatical trip.
“Shortly after the sabbatical policy was announced at MarketBeat, I saw Rick Steves on PBS in Scandinavia. I knew at that moment where I needed to go on a sabbatical, and I knew that it had to be with my mom,” Ohm said. “There is no way that in 2021 I would have firmly declared a trip to Norway in 2024 if I didn't have the benefit of a sabbatical program.”
The sabbatical program allowed Ohm to experience parts of her heritage she never thought possible. From the moment she and her parents first arrived in Oslo, they began exploring parts of their Norwegian heritage inside the Norsk Folkmuseum.
“My favorite part was the weaver studio. I purchased a rigid heddle and Norwegian thread so that I can learn to weave like the Sami, the indigenous people of Norway,” Ohm said.
The next leg of her sabbatical journey brought her and her family to the village of Flam, where she had one of the most memorable moments of her entire two-week trip: kayaking the famous Norwegian fjords.
“At the start of my kayak, I went slow and enjoyed viewing the steep rock walls up close and even touching them. Soon, though, I saw a waterfall in the distance,” Ohm said. “ I was able to reach three waterfalls and see a fourth free-falling waterfall in the distance.”
Along with soaking in the natural beauty of Norway, Ohm and her parents and children were able to spend time in the village where many of her ancestors lived, even staying in an Airbnb directly across the valley from their ancestral farms.
“We drove down the valley to visit the Nordsinni Church and graves of some distant relatives,” Ohm said. “It was ornate and a special experience to sit in the pew next to my son - perhaps the very place that my ancestors once sat.”
Her trip included daily hikes and many walks with her family. Even with all of the splendor of the scenery and the special connection to her ancestors, Ohm says simple moments of her sons enjoying the sheep in the countryside on their walks are some of her favorite memories from the trip. Another big part of the intent of the sabbatical experience.
“I did not check my email once while I was in Norway. I was able to completely focus on my family, myself, and the Norwegian culture,” Ohm said.
It is another way MarketBeat founder Matt Paulson carries out his company’s core policy of encouraging a strong work-life balance for all employees.
“We know that work is just a small part of people’s lives,” Paulson said. “We want to encourage our employees to focus on their families and other passions outside of work just as much as we encourage their professional development.”
A personal experience that has built an even stronger professional connection between Ohm and her employer.
“This was a very special trip to a rather expensive location, and I'm really grateful that the sabbatical benefit at MarketBeat inspired me to go and assisted with the expenses,” Ohm said.
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