Study Abroad Report

Study Abroad Report

University of Agder, Kristiansand - Norway Outdoor Education

Spring 2018

My application process

For my semester abroad I decided to come to the University of Agder in Kristiansand,

Norway. As a BA Media Studies student I felt like I wanted to broaden my scope by choosing a subject that did not have any resemblance with my current degree yet that did agree with my personal interests. Halfway during my second year of Media Studies I started to do research concerning the different possibilities for my potential study abroad semester in my third year. After having consulted the Mobility Office, and scanned through the RUG’s different partner universities, I soon came across the University of Agder. What particularly sparked my interest was the fact that the university seemed to offer a full 30 ECTS

programme for international (exchange) students. As the university’s website said:

“tailor-made for exchange students looking for a full semester of activities in the Norwegian mountain, forest, sea and coastline”. After having read the information on the university's website, I found myself in constant wonder whether I should apply or not. This programme exactly described my passion for the outdoors, and promised students to learn all about Norwegian nature (e.g. mountainous areas, the forests, the sea and the coastline). I could not have been more excited, and despite my doubts (would I be experienced enough coming from a Media Studies background?) I decided to apply and write a motivation letter. After having gone through the application process, I finally received a message back informing me that I had been accepted by the university to come and study in Kristiansand. As soon as I received the confirmation email I got really excited, and started planning everything for my semester in Norway. My great adventure now could finally begin.

General Exchange Information

Here I will provide some general information concerning the preparation, and different steps I had to go through for my study abroad period.

First of all, despite the fact that Norway is a non-EU country, you do not need to hold a passport to travel to Norway. You merely need your ID (identification card). I had to register as a Norwegian citizen for my study abroad period as soon as I arrived in Kristiansand, yet this might differ depending on the university you apply for. Another thing I had to arrange

before coming to Norway was my accomodation. The University of Agder runs a fairly easy application process for that. Their housing and accommodation company SIA offers rooms for international students, as thus makes the application process easy and quick to go through. I downloaded their mobile app and applied for my accomodation that way. They got back to me within reasonable time, and before I knew it they got me a room, and I only needed to sign the contract and send it back to them before it would all be official. Hence a very smooth and convenient way of applying for housing. Other than that, the university’s exchange office, and ESN Agder are incredibly hospitable and helpful. As soon as I arrived in Kristiansand they waited for all the international students to come, to then bring them to their accomodation. The overall international service and the activities that ESN Agder runs are exceptionally good for brand new students, especially when you have to get used to the country or want to find an easy way to connect with people and make new friends.

Personally I was very lucky to have met the group of people from my Outdoor Education course. I spend all of time in Norway with this group of 24 people, and became really close. I can now count them as one of the best group of friends that I have.

On to some more practical matters. Norway is an expensive country, I can conclude that. Norway’s currency is NOK, and one Norwegian krone can be converted to 0,11 Euro. So for example, if you buy a loaf of bread that is 45 NOK, it thus roughly converts to 4 Euro and 80 cents. And yes, bread in Norway is really that expensive. But the longer you will be in Norway, the more you will learn how to do your groceries, and the more you get used to the currency. A golden tip to handle money matter would be (personal opinion) to buy general groceries for the whole week, and then only do daily groceries if you for example need fresh fruits or vegetables. On the other hand, do not feel like you need to restrict yourself. Some things are more expensive, that is something that you cannot get around, so occasionally it is perfectly fine to treat yourself (tip: buy a Kvikklunsj from time to time, it is some sort of Norwegian KitKat and it is really good). In addition to that, if you have the chance to eat fresh fish, do so! Or even better, catch some fish yourself, gut it and prepare it (invite all your friends!).

As I have spend a lot of time in Norwegian nature for my Outdoor Education course, I have been lucky enough to see all the beauty that the country has to offer. From mountainous areas in winter, to Norway’s coastline and sea life in spring/summer. I have traveled a lot within the country, and have seen many places. Destinations that I have been to and definitely recommend are: Preikestolen (hike and viewpoint over fjord), Kjerag (hike and viewpoint over fjord), Hovden (cross-country and downhill skiing), Haukeliseter

and the Lofoten Islands (hiking, camping and doing a lot of exploring), and more. They all have their own unique touch, and show the beauty of Norway’s vast nature. Climate wise I can say that I have been very lucky. We have had an incredibly long and severe winter (even down at the coast, where Kristiansand is located), and an exceptional, hot

spring/summer. I cannot complain, and am happy to have experienced both extremes. Yet mostly Norway knows days of rain in spring, and not much snow down at the coast in winter. As they say, nothing is as unpredictable as the weather.

To conclude; coming to Kristiansand and studying Outdoor Education at the University of Agder has been one of the greatest things I have ever done in my life. To the

outdoor-interests, and like minded people reading my report, I would say: go for it. Give it a shot. Broaden your scope and step out of your comfort zone. Even though you might think: can I really do this?, as long as you are motivated and willing to engage, you will have the absolute best time of your life. Norway is great, the nature is even better, and going abroad will definitely have a positive impact on your life. You will grow, become more independent and will be able to make decisions based on what you really deem important in life. Personal reflection

Reflecting back on my semester in Norway I can thus say that it has been the best decision I have ever made. Coming to Norway has brought me so much. An incredible time spent mostly outside in Norwegian nature, gaining knowledge about the country’s flora and fauna, as well as how to survive in wintertime; how to set up camp; how to plan a trip on

cross-country skis; how to prepare a nutritious meal in cold environments; first aid

procedures in case of an emergency; outdoor activities such as climbing and kayaking; and much much more. Besides my learning and study experience, the incredible group of people I got to spend my semester with made my stay in Norway worth it even more so. Coming to a foreign country all alone has made me realise how much pf individual growth I have gone through. This semester has changed me a lot (in the positive sense of the word). I have learned that if you really want to accomplish something, even though you might not be entirely sure of it, you will succeed; as long as you are motivated and keep up a positive attitude. You have to be adventurous, open minded and willing to face new challenges. Every new direction you take opens up new opportunities. Studying Outdoor Education in Norway has definitely done that for me, and thus has helped me realise that I need to grasp these opportunities with both hands. I am now graduated as a BA Media Studies student, and am currently doing an internship in the outdoor branche. After the summer I will work as a climbing instructor in the Ardens and hope to return to Norway very soon to further

broaden my knowledge on Outdoor Education, and (maybe) even nature preservation and maintenance. I hope that in the future I can combine my passion for the outdoors with my Media Studies degree, and get more people to be in nature, and life in harmony with it. So, if you are interested in getting more information about my semester as an Outdoor Education student in Kristiansand, you are more than welcome to contact me! I will be happy to help, and to answer any other questions that you might have. You will find my contact details below:

Maike van den Berg

maikevandenberg@hotmail.com

--- Some useful links

University of Agder - Outdoor Education

https://www.uia.no/en/studies2/courses-in-english/outdoor-education Personal blog about my stay in Norway

https://home.uia.no/maikev17/

DNT - the Norwegian Tourist Association (the best thing that Norway has to offer, believe me)

https://www.dnt.no/

All the hiking/cross-country skiing routes across Norway https://www.ut.no/

Places to go

https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/ Norway’s Allemannsrett - Right of Access

http://www.miljodirektoratet.no/en/Areas-of-activity1/Outdoor-recreation/Right-to-Roam/ Weather forecast