Marion was born in 1960 in Rotterdam. She worked at a hospital as a radiologist, specialising in nuclear examinations. She then took a law degree and worked as a volunteer lawyer. Her last job in her home country was as a lawyer in a Dutch ministry.

She came to Norway with her daughter in 2006. Her husband had moved to Ringebu about two months earlier. They had been on holiday in Scandinavia several times before and it was always difficult for them to go back to the Netherlands. A peaceful life, beautiful scenery and less stress were the most important values Marion found in the Scandinavian countries. In the Netherlands, she had people around her all the time, but in Norway, she could have more privacy and be alone if she wanted to.

Marion now works as a postwoman. She applied for jobs for several months after arriving in Norway, but got no replies to her applications. It was a difficult period for her, mainly because she was not used to being at home and looking after children. At that time she had no goal in life, which was one of the biggest problems for Marion. However, she still finds less stress in everyday life in Norway than in the Netherlands. She likes to be outdoors in the summer, walking and working in the garden, which she finds relaxing.

Marion occasionally misses a social and cultural life such as she had in the Netherlands. People who move from Dutch cities to small Norwegian settlements think of it as an exciting adventure. But often they do not realise that although they gain a lot in the process, they also lose a lot. Marion usually goes to Lillehammer or Oslo for cultural experiences, but that costs time and money.