Name: Babette van den Berg

Study program: Global Management of Social Issues

Exchange location: Oslo (University of Oslo)

Accommodation 

• Was it easy to find a room?

• • For me it was pretty easy to find a room. 

• Did the university provide housing?

• • • The university itself did not provide housing, but worked closely together with an organization called SiO, which provides (among other things) housing. Through the website of the university, I came to this organization and found housing there. I have friends who found a room through other channels, but I don’t know which ones exactly. For me the big advantage of SiO was that it was relatively cheap, and a lot of (international) students find housing through here. There are multiple “student villages”, so you live close to other students, which makes it easy to meet other people and make friends. 

• How expensive is housing?

• • Depending on what kind of room you want, I’d say it’s a bit more expensive than Tilburg, but not too bad. I had a furnished room in a flat that I shared with 7 others and paid around €450 per month.

Public transport

• Is public transport well organized?

• • • Public transport is very well organized. I mostly used the metro and the buses, and in the center the tram as well. Oslo is not too big; from my home I could also walk to university if I wanted (was a little over 15 min).  

• How expensive is public transport?

• • The cheapest option is to buy a 30-day pass, which is for students around €45. This is what I did during my time there.

Study

• What is your experience with choosing the courses?

• • • On the website of the university, I could see the bachelor courses that would be given per semester and choose from there. Most courses have 10 ECTS, so I only had to pick 3. I picked courses that regarded mostly sustainability and the environment. The website also showed when the exams of the courses would be, so you won’t run into the problem that you have two exams at the same time. If you had any questions, the university would respond quickly. 

• Were the courses easier, comparable or harder than at Tilburg University?

• • I would say the courses were comparable or maybe a bit easier. A big difference is that the focus is way more on practical work/workgroups than just reading theory and writing a MC exam. I had no multiple-choice exam, but instead had one exam with essay questions, one paper that I had a month for to write and my other exam was to make a podcast! 

General

• How is the student life in the city?

• • • Alcohol is very expensive, so I did not go out too much. However, I also focused more on travelling in Norway than on going out and partying. I had friends who did go out more often, so it’s definitely possible. The university also has a few university bars, where it’s cheaper to out. They organize a few fun events (like Halloween or during the introduction week) that are definitely worth going to.

• Is there an introduction day/week? 

• • • Yes! The university organizes an introduction week for all international students. I met most of my friends here. 

• What are things people should definitely do/visit when they are there?

• • • Go out in nature! There are only 5 million people in such a big country, so there is a lot of nature that is untouched by humans. Some of my favourite places were Lofoten, Bergen and Rondane national park. 
    • Oslo itself also has a lot to offer, my favorite area was either Sognsvann (more nature) or Grunerløkka (the hipster area). In Grunerløkka there is a bar called Blå where a big jazz band performs for free every Sunday – would highly recommend. There is also the Munch Museum (with the famous Scream), where you can enter for free on Wednesdays.

• do you have any general tips/ experiences you want to share?

• • Norway may be an expensive country, but there are a few things where you can save money.
    • For cheaper groceries (mainly fruits and veggies), go to Grønland! It will save you a LOT of money.
    • There is also an organization called BUA. Here you can borrow all kinds of outdoor equipment (from tents and sleeping bags to skis and ice skates!) for free!! We used this a lot!
  • And of course, my biggest tip is to enjoyyyy! Erasmus is such a great and unique experience to meet new people and discover new places and cultures.