Mobility specification

Country:Norway

Institution:Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

City:Trondheim

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2021/2022

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Informatics

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?it's alright

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?NTNU has courses for e.g. 7.5 credit, which MU recognizes as 8 credits.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?My courses and homeworks were significantly closer to real problems than is common at MUNI. Most exams are single attempt (with possible retake after holidays, unclear if applicable to Erasmus students).

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?University: Orientation week, international formal event, student organizations of different kinds, buddy program
SIT (organization which runs dorms, common rooms, part of parking, ...): international students could attend pretty much all events (many events were fully in English; few events were in Norsk but the organizers were very willing to enable at least part of attendants to communicate in English).

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)
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)
Other

Special needs - Other:Possibly also something else, not sure

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:22000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?When we rented a car we got charged an exorbitant damage fee due to small scratches on wheel covers. Better insurance (or even more detailed photos before renting) would have been worth it.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Fretex (charity shop) is a godsend. ReStore is student driven second-hand shop open a few times a year. Discounts/Sales in convenience stores are significant given the high base price.

🗺 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?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?mostly fine

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?- Pizza at the top of the rotating tower (Egon Tårnet)
- WorkWork cafe if you are a nerd
- Studentersamfundet (building looks like a circus and hosts many student organizations)
- Nidaros Cathedral (at least from outside)
- Many of the university buildings

What are the must-visit trip destinations?- Either fjords around Bergen, hills and national parks around Ålesund, or the beautiful landscapes of Lofoten
- Burmaklippen (cliff overhang within walking distance from Trondheim)
- Any wood cabin in winter

Share your best experience:Overnight trip to a tourist cabin in winter.

💅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
Train
Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?If you fly to Norway in winter beware - the wheels of your luggage might not be enough for the bit of snow and salt that is sometimes on pavements. Be prepare for the worst - gliding the luggage or carrying it in hand (be mindful of the the weight).

Can you pay by card?in most places

🥳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?The best months of my life!