Linn – University of South-Eastern Norway
Semester 2, 2024
Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design)
Hi there! I’m Linn, and I have just returned from my exchange semester at the University of South-Eastern Norway, campus Vestfold! Traveling to Norway has always been a dream of mine, and I am more than happy to have been able to achieve it through this opportunity.
The idea of going half-way across the world can seem daunting at first, which may stop you from taking the leap. However, going on exchange has given me the chance to learn so much about myself, those around me, and allowed me to challenge myself to a brand-new field of study unrelated to my major at QUT. Suffice to say, I believe it was absolutely worth it, and I would tell all those still hesitant to simply go for it!
Before the flight
Arguably, this was the most difficult part of the whole journey for me. Finding the suitable course, completing all the documents and requirements, and eventually applying for a visa is a soul crushing process. However, that is no reason to give up! Always remember that you are not in it alone and be sure to send the STAE team an email whenever you are met with a roadblock. They have been a true-life saver for me during dire times and know that no question is ever too “dumb” to be asked.
Once you have gone past this phase and have your visa in your hands, congratulations!! It’s time to start packing up and double check your flight details to ensure that the path to your destination is as uneventful as it can be. Be sure to bring clothes appropriate to the weather of your destination(s), get an e-sim beforehand if it will be useful, and install any applications that will be necessary.
For me, I knew I would need to get on a train from Oslo Gardemoen to get to Skoppum once I arrived. Therefore, I made sure to have the VY app (a public transportation app) installed on my phone and logged in before I even boarded my flight, so all I needed to do post landing was to buy a ticket in app and board my train.
Tip: Means of public transport may vary from county to county within Norway, and some may require you to download different things. It is highly advised for you to contact your respective host universities to get up to date local information on how to navigate locally.
Upon Arrival
When I arrived, my first trip was to SSN. That was where I confirmed my arrival with my accommodation, got my temporary banking card and dorm room card. Note that your banking card can take up to 5 days to have the money transferred into it, so be sure to bring a Visa card or cash with you for the first week you are here (card is usually more preferred).
Also, do not miss out on going to the police station to declare your arrival (and receive your residence permit!). You can either book an appointment yourself, or register with USN to go on a group appointment with all the other international/exchange students. I chose the latter, since I felt like the experience would be a lot less daunting when you have company. We were assigned and went together to the police centre at TORP. The session was really quick for me, and the policewoman who worked with me was really gentle which made my time there very pleasant. Opposite of that however, the trip home was full of harsh wind and heavy rain, so I would recommend everyone to bring umbrellas and a jacket just in case of odd weather changes. The permit was later sent to USN for students to collect, so you won’t have to go on a long trip again to TORP.
Another thing is a health check on arrival. I did not know about this until I received a letter in my mailbox requesting me to go to a hospital in Tonsberg for a lung x-ray. I am unsure if everyone is required to go through a health check like I did, but it is good to keep in mind.
At Campus Vestfold
I think it is amazing that all exchange students are guaranteed accommodation, as it majorly reduces the worries for students who are coming to a completely new country all alone. I was lucky to have an on campus dorm, which made it easy for me to get to class and the library whenever needed.
Speaking of classes, I ended up studying American and British history/politics during my exchange semester despite being a Design student at QUT. I expected this change of study field to be a great challenge (and it was), but the experience ended up being extremely pleasant and fun thanks to the amazing staff and teachers I had the fortune to have met at the institution. Not only was I inspired and motivated by their passion in their field, but I was also moved by the love and support they had towards their students at every stage of our studies.
The university building is huge, with rooms up to the hundreds on every floor. Maybe I am slow with navigation, but admittedly I took a long while to know my way around the place. My favourite place must have been the library, as it was the place I spent the most time studying for exams with the small group of friends that I made (I absolutely love them, and I cannot wait to meet them again someday). If you are ever hungry, USN has a self serve cafeteria with a different selection of dishes every single day. There are meals with both a fixed price, and a “buffet” type meal where you can bring a plate to get all the food you want which will be priced by weight at the check-out counter.
Around the mentioned main building, there are other facilities with the gym, SSN office for accommodation support, an outdoor volleyball field, and a “Student House” where the campus bar is located with all the fun events going on. Being an introvert however, I did not go there very often so you have to see for yourself how it is like if USN Vestfold is your dream destination.
Tip: Install the Student-Sorost app to get daily updates on what dishes are on daily at Alimento (the cafeteria), accumulate gift points for every one of your purchases within the uni, and keep up with student events around the campus.
Outside of University
Studies are important, but be sure to go on trips as well while you’re here! Norway has always been my dream destination, which is why I prioritized traveling within the country over touring the Schengen countries. That said, I would encourage everyone to travel as much as possible during breaks to make the most of your temporary permit!
@Ski
During my time here, I had the chance to visit Tusenfryd, an amusement park 20km outside Oslo. I’ve been on rollercoasters at many theme parks before, but nothing compares to the “Thundercoaster” at Tusenfryd. We had heavy bursts of rain that day, which made the rides even more extreme with drops hitting us and speeding up the action. “Speedmonster” was also one of my favorites, with the initial racecar rumble adding to the excitement before the ride took off. Unfortunately, “Storm” was closed for the day due to bad weather, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on it if you get the chance to ride it!
@Hemsedal
Hemsedal was absolutely stunning. I stayed in a wooden cabin near berry forests and fishing lakes. The view from above was more beautiful than any place I had visited before, and seeing sheep wandering through the green grass patches never failed to make me smile. One thing I didn’t anticipate was how cold it got at night (and even during the day!). Due to the elevation and geography, temperatures can drop to negative degrees at night, and I hadn’t brought any windproof gear or my thick down jacket. But I managed to make do. This is just a reminder to always consider the climate of the places you’re visiting!
@Gottebiten (Sweden)
My friends and I also had the chance to head to Sweden for the weekend. We didn’t venture too deep, as our goal was simply to grab some cheaper groceries and boxes of soda. Unfortunately, since I was 18 at the time, I wasn’t allowed to enter the alcohol store with my friends, as you need to be at least 20 years old to buy alcohol with more than 3.5% ABV there. No worries, though—I spent all the time I needed at Gottebiten instead! I’d never been to a candy store before, let alone one as big as an entire floor of a mall. After marveling at the jelly beans in ceiling-high cylinders and rows of candy buffets, I left with a 3kg bag of sweets that took me a whole month to share and finish.
@Fuengirola (Spain)
Ending words
All in all, I have nothing but positives to share about my experience as an exchange student in Norway. I truly believe it was worth it, and I highly recommend that anyone considering it should take the leap and live their dream for a semester. The most important thing is to choose a place that you genuinely love, resonate with, or are eager to learn more about.
The opportunity to go on exchange was life-changing for me, as it also served as a “gap semester,” allowing me to take some time to settle down, learn more about my destination and the people around me, and most importantly, understand and care for myself more.
Being alone in a foreign country might seem daunting, but trust me, you won’t regret it once you make it to the other side.
Find out how you can apply for exchange via the QUT Student Exchange website.
