International Student Experiences in Norway
Are you curious about how international students experience their time in Norway? Here you can read more about achieving work-life balance, embarking on Arctic adventures and seizing new opportunities. Click on each student's name to read interviews and insights in full.
“When you first get to know them, you have friends for life”
“When you first get to know them, you have friends for life”
Malawi and Turkey
Almost everyone can speak English
Bora and Christina, from Turkey and Malawi, appreciate the friendliness of Norwegians and find it convenient that many speak English well. "It makes it easy to get help if you need it," Christina remarks.
Initially, they found Norwegians somewhat reserved, but as Bora notes, "they're great people to be friends with," and Christina agrees, saying, "when you first get to know them, you have friends for life."
Bora and Christina studied at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
“The experience at the Game School was outstanding”
“The experience at the Game School was outstanding”
The Netherlands
I learned so much and challenged myself to try new things.
Beautiful landscapes, a reinforcing teaching environment and the opportunity to discover a new culture are some of the reasons why Carla Cerutti decided to go on exchange to the Game School in Hamar.
She advices students to experience new adventures, get to know the city and to ask their teachers for advice with academic problems.
Carla studied at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
“Norway offers a little bit of everything; From diverse culture to a world class education system. ”
“Norway offers a little bit of everything; From diverse culture to a world class education system. ”
Morocco
Four reasons why I chose Norway as a study destination
Amine Naini from Morocco:
- Enjoying a quick mountain escape
- Practical education system
- Attractive job market
- A multicultural and welcoming country
Amine studied at NHH Norwegian School of Economics.
“You will always feel safe and have nice people around”
“You will always feel safe and have nice people around”
China
A safe place to study
Sandy Hoi Yan Shui from Hong Kong, China, has made the most her studies in Norway by combining lectures with plenty of outdoor activities.
Sandy studied at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
“Norway is far more superior in my field of research”
“Norway is far more superior in my field of research”
Greece
A journey to the Arctic ocean
Iliana Vasiliki Ntinou from Greece got the opportunity to take part in a research cruise to the Arctic Ocean as part of her master degree in Marine Biology.
Iliana studied at the University of Bergen.
“Studying abroad is a unique opportunity, and it’s important to make the most of it”
“Studying abroad is a unique opportunity, and it’s important to make the most of it”
Uganda
An open and hands-on learning environment
Christine Kabazira from Uganda studied journalism in Oslo.
She tells about a modern campus, good education, an open and hands-on learning environment, good libraries and guest lecturers that helped her develop as a researcher"
Christine studied at OsloMet.
“If you are a nature lover this is the best place.”
“If you are a nature lover this is the best place.”
Sri Lanka
The land of the midnight sun
Aeneas Jerron had dreamt about coming to Norway since he was 10 years old, after his teacher told him about the “land of midnight sun”. He finally got the opportunity to see it for himself.
Aeneas studied at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
“The first weeks in Norway were a lot of fun and extremely busy”
“The first weeks in Norway were a lot of fun and extremely busy”
Canada
The student associations are incredibly active
Michael Toivonen from Canada found the first weeks i Norway "a lot of fun and extremely busy".
The student assocations are incredibly active and there are many clubs both, from academic, sports and other activities. The student union organizes many company events that are great for networking as well as more social where you can build strong relationships.
Michael studied at NHH Norwegian School of Economics.
“If you want to integrate in the Norwegian society, you better invest in a good pair of hiking shoes”
“If you want to integrate in the Norwegian society, you better invest in a good pair of hiking shoes”
Greece
Three ways to make Norwegian friends
Iliana Vasiliki Ntinou from Greece easily made international friends, but found it harder to meet Norwegians. After living in Norway for nearly a year, she finally cracked the code on how to make Norwegian friends.
- Go hiking
- Take part in organised activities
- Learn language and culture
Iliana studied at the University of Bergen.
“I have quite often recruiters who contact me for new positions”
“I have quite often recruiters who contact me for new positions”
France
Learning Norwegian opened doors
Antony Cornillon from France studied Logistic studies in Molde.
"At that time, it was quite easy to find an English-speaking job in the oil and gas industry, as there was an important need for qualified manpower". As he learned the Norwegian language, he got more and more career opportunities.
Anthony studied at Molde University College - Specielized University in Logistics.
“The mobility grant has made it possible for me to carry out the necessary field work”
“The mobility grant has made it possible for me to carry out the necessary field work”
Serbia
I became more confident in doing my own research
Anastasija Zarevac from Serbia studied Norwegian language in Bergen through the Mobility grant for Norwegian Language, literature and culture.
"Perhaps what attracted me most are the values that are emphasised in Norway. I felt that my personal values and the issues that I care about – everything from equality to environmental protection – were in keeping with the values shared by most Norwegians.
Anastasija studied at the University of Bergen.
“The work-life balance in Norway is unbeatable”
“The work-life balance in Norway is unbeatable”
Singapore
Career opportunities and work-life balance
Beverly Faye Becker was convinced that obtaining a Norwegian degree would help building her career in Norway. Now, five years later, she knows she was right.
Beverly studied at NHH Norwegian School of Economics.
“I would encourage everyone who has a tiny bit of motivation to go abroad”
“I would encourage everyone who has a tiny bit of motivation to go abroad”
Germany
Getting the possibility to try yourself makes it very unique
Medicine student Marike Sophie Bech from Germany took an exchange semester in Trondheim.
She found the health care system quite different and liked the positive culture of asking questions, addressing the lecturers with their first name and trying to understand each other, rather than claiming knowledge.
Small learning groups, personal contact and a general positively attitude towards each other along with possibilities to gaining practical knowledge was some of the things that made it unique.
Marike studied at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).