Mobility specification

Country:Norway

Institution:University of Bergen

City:Bergen

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of International Relations and European Studies

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was surprised by the final exams, which take place in administrative buildings and last between 3 and 8 hours. The student brings food, drink, and anything else he or she might need to eat (many homeschoolers were shredding). I had a 4 hour rehearsal and really was there for almost the entire 4 hours. But it was nothing terrible, on the contrary, the university tries to allow enough time to work out the exam so that students are not stressed. The worse exam was the home taken exam which was 10 hours long and I had to write an essay. Having so little time to source, read and structure the text was challenging.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The university provides a lot. The first week started with a welcome and then we had the opportunity to get involved in the myriad of organisations it has. Each faculty also has their own bar to volunteer at, but they have multiple opportunities to volunteer. There were also quizzes, meetings and even parties.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special aids and technologies (e.g., text-to-speech software, hearing aids)
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:20000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Rema 1000 is the cheapest shop and it's worth going to Mango as well. The Too good to go app works pretty much everywhere in the city, so you can get tasty food in large quantities quickly and cheaply.
All sports equipment can be rented for free at Bua. If anyone wants to buy good quality sports stuff, they have a Sport Outlet where everything is half price. It's worth buying a season pass at the gym because they offer a special price for one semester for erasers and it works out to about 3750 CZK for 6 months.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Everything is done via the Skyss Billet app. It's really easy. You can also look up connections there.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?7 hills, Gamlehaugen, Gamle Bergen, Bryggen, fortress, Nordness, cruise (you can also go to the island, which is right next to Bergen, by buying a ticket for public transport - also valid for the boat), botanical garden

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Lapland in winter and Lofoten in summer. Unforgettable experiences.

Share your best experience:I don't have bad experiences and it's hard to pick a best one. The whole of Norway is indescribably beautiful and there is always something new to discover. Places in the north need to be seen, but most importantly, be well prepared for them with warm clothing. There's quite a lot going on in Bergen and you could always find some activities to do. Life there was more expensive, but still worth it.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Buying tickets should not be underestimated. There are fewer direct flights to Bergen and they are quite expensive.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Thermal underwear, hiking boots, warm hiking pants and jacket. Vitamin D is also very necessary.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?You don't know what you're missing until you get to Norway. Beautiful untouched nature and a pleasant, happy life. Bergen > Oslo