The study part of “study abroad” seems to be experienced in many different ways depending on the host country and level of difficulty of a student’s host university. In Norway, quite honestly school has been very laid back and simple yet that will likely change as the semester continues.

Before I get into the nitty gritty of what school is like here, I want to take a moment to recognize the pure BEAUTY that is BI Norwegian Business School. I love the Haworth College of Business for the people inside of the building but at BI, the outside is just as beautiful as the people within! The tall ceilings and glass walls allow for light to pour in throughout the day from all angles. I have a feeling this feature will be even more valued as the daylight hours shorten in Norway.

We also have the LONGEST indoor escalator in all of Norway. It can be seen in the background of many of my photos at the university because it seems to be the center of the school!

Class Timing
The way that courses are structured at BI Norwegian Business School have been a bit more intensive than Western Michigan University but are also less frequent. I am very thankful because I only have classes Monday through Wednesday at BI. An example of my schedule is as follows…

Monday – Norwegian Culture and History 11:00-13:45

Tuesday – Logistics and Marketing Channels 11:00-13:45

Tactical Marketing (every other week) 14:00-16:45

Wednesday – International Business 11:00-13:45

Yup…I only have four classes. These four classes are taught over a period of two hours and 45 minutes. Each class is split into three lessons each for 45 minutes with two 15 minutes breaks between them.

While this sounds a bit complicated, I have quickly learned to love this method of learning. With 45 minutes being the longest length of time spent in a class at once your mind is not easily fatigued or overwhelmed by content. Breaks every 45 minutes are also handy because they allow students to physically get up, move around, and even get a snack from one of the school cafes. The ability to take a physical break from learning has helped me to return to my next 45 minute lesson with greater interest and energy.

It is also important to note that I am still taking a full course load this semester though I feel I could have taken one more class and probably would have been just fine. Each class is 7.5 ECTS (credit hours) and 30 ECTS is a full semester course load.

Testing and Homework

I have honestly had some struggles with the lack of testing that is done in Norwegian university. At Western, I am accustomed to taking exams every few weeks and having homework due for nearly every class. At BI, I have had no graded work up until this point. For three of my courses, the entire grade of the course is determined by a final written exam or paper. One other course of mine has a final exam worth 60% of the grade and a midterm worth 40%. Currently if I want to prepare for class, I am able to do some readings or practice concepts online but nothing is graded so at times it can be hard to know where I stand in class. While it sounds like a dream to many students because only having one final means less studying day-to-day, I am curious to see how the final exams work out for those who are not taking time for their studies now.

English

I have had several people ask so I want to take a second to state that all of my courses are in English. Norwegians might not speak English if they don’t have to but they are known to be some of the best English-speakers in Europe. This means that it is very easy to understand my professors and class content. I am attempting to learn a bit of Norwegian but if my classes were taught in that language I would most certainly be failing.

Professor Expectations

One thing that has surprised me at university and has taken a lot of time to adjust to is the way to address professors or university administration. Norway is known to have a very flat society with little hierarchical position and university is no exception. In class, I am expected to address all of my professors by ONLY their first name. This came as a surprise to me because all of my professors hold doctorate degrees yet they are not recognized in the same way as in the US. Initially it felt very rude to ignore the doctorate title in a professor’s name. Over time though it has become clear to me that Norwegians do this because they want students to see professors as approachable and almost like a friend. I am still fighting the urge to include “Dr.” when addressing my profs but it is getting better.

Student Representation

A concept that I have become a huge fan of while at BI and apparently is common across all levels of Norwegian education is student representation. Every student has had the experience of a bad teacher. This can be a huge frustration (especially when you have to start paying for your education) because a grade never reflects the difficulty of a class or teacher.

Starting in the fifth grade Norwegian students are expected to choose one or two class representatives to meet with the teacher and administration throughout the year. These representatives give feedback on the course and teaching of the professor, including constructive criticism when needed. I find this system to be highly effective as it encourages open communication between students and educators BEFORE any concerns or frustrations arise. This is another great example of the “flat” hierarchy in Norway.

The overall educational part of my experience in Oslo thus far has been extremely positive! There are always new things I am learning and adjusting to but no matter what, I have felt valued as a student on exchange at BI.

Let’s be honest, Norway is not exactly known for its high-end or particularly phenomenal food. When I first arrived in Oslo, I was a bit nervous to see how expensive food of any kind was (grocery store or restaurant) and began my search for dishes that were delicious yet friendly for a student’s budget. Luckily I am a huge fan of seafood and root vegetables which happen to be staples in Norwegian diet. Here are a few foods that I would consider to be uniquely Norwegian or worth tasting on a trip to Norge.

Let’s be honest, Norway is not exactly known for its high-end or particularly phenomenal food. While the country has spectacular rocky cliffs and shoreline to spare, they have struggled in the past with agriculture and sustaining the population through those harsh Norwegian winters. With food being difficult to produce, Norwegians often relied on hearty and bland food for sustenance and these traditional dishes haven’t changed much over the years. Luckily I am a huge fan of seafood and root vegetables which happen to be staples in Norwegian diet making it much easier for me to enjoy the local cuisine. Here are a few foods that I would consider to be uniquely Norwegian or worth tasting on a trip to Norge.

Brunøst (Brown Cheese)

Brown cheese is a uniquely Norwegian item and most Norwegians have a love/hate relationship with it. Best described as creamy, sweet, and “caramelly”, brown cheese can be paired with breads and waffles and makes an appearance at breakfast and lunch. I don’t personally enjoy eating brown cheese alone with bread but have seen many fellow students eat it for lunch. I prefer the cheese with my waffles which I will elaborate on in a bit. 

Potet (Potatoes)

Honestly the potatoes in Norway aren’t special in any way but these people eat them ALL THE TIME! Boiled, steamed, mashed, fried, and a million other ways make these vegetables a perfect side for any Norwegian meal.

A fact that I find funny is that while today potatoes are a staple in Norwegian cooking and can be included in nearly every meal, they weren’t grown or used much before the 1700’s. This was due to the fact that Norway has poor soil for agriculture and it is difficult to grow food like potatoes deep in the ground. 

Vaffles (Norwegian Waffles…yes there is a difference)

In contrast to Belgian or American waffles that are thick and fluffy, Norwegian waffles are known to be flat and look more like a crepe’s bumpy cousin. These waffles are also super cute as they are traditionally shaped with hearts in the design which can be broken off in slices just like a pizza when consumed. These waffles are not eaten for breakfast as in America but are more like an afternoon snack. The topping that I have seen most often (and that has become my personal favorite) is raspberry jam, sour cream (that’s right, I said SOUR cream but trust me it’s delicious) and brown cheese. While these items don’t immediately scream “waffle buddies” they create a surprising balance which allows the waffle’s natural sweetness to shine without overwhelming the diner with sugar. Herald’s Waffles are my favorite spot in Oslo to get these waffles but they can also be easily recreated at home or as a crepe. Yum!

Skolebrød 

A skolebrød (also known as Skolleboller) is a cardamom sweet roll which is filled with custard cream and rolled in coconut flakes. This is one of the first pastries I have tried in Norway and also has proven to be one of the most messy! I am not a huge fan of coconut but this pastry does an excellent job balancing many unique ingredients and bringing them together in to one cohesive item. I find skolebrød to be best eaten with a cup of black coffee while reading or studying on a weekday morning. 

Student tip: Pastries in Oslo can be found at every grocery store as well as coffee shop. I have found that both are very high quality, especially compared to what is offered in the USA, and all are freshly baked each morning. The biggest difference between a skolebrød from a coffee shop and grocery is the price. Buying Norwegian pastries from  a grocery and then buying coffee at a shop can save you up to $5 per trip which really just means you have more money for more pastries in a day!

Laks (Salmon)

Salmon is a staple in Norway and can be served in a variety of ways! Sushi is extremely popular due to the fact that Norway “invented” salmon sushi and marketed it to the Japanese as a way to earn more money on Norwegian salmon exports. Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs is also a surprisingly delicious combination and can be eaten solo for breakfast or wrapped up with lettuce for lunch. Even when on our boat cruise during Faderullan (Buddy Week), we were served salmon and egg wraps which were satisfying and easy to eat. 

Kafe (Coffeeeeeee)

Step aside Starbucks lovers, when it comes to coffee consesours Norwegians will forever have you beat! When I first came to Oslo, I would have coffee once in a while and mostly when it was in the form of a sugary latte. Having been in the city for a little over a month and eager to speak mostly Norwegian and save some money, I have opted for black coffee at nearly every shop and it has been wonderful! The black coffee I know at home is bitter and heavy on the tongue but here Norwegians know how to find blends of coffee that are fruity and flavorful. This has been a life-changing discovery and while I am far from being a coffee snob, I doubt Starbucks will ever seem as attractive as before this trip ;( 

Fiskekake, Fiskebolle, Fiske alt! (Fish Cakes, Fish Balls, Fish Everything!)

I find fish products to be some of the uglier foods that Norway has to offer yet they can still be flavorful and delicious in comfort foods. Fish cakes are patties of mashed white fish and potatoes that are pan fried and are served with yet more potatoes. Their texture can be a bit mushy on the inside yet crisp on the outside so those with sensitivities to mushy textures probably won’t be a fan. The same goes for fish balls which are basically fish cakes that were never flattened or pan fried. However, when put into a hot pot of fish soup, fish balls can be unexpectedly satisfying!

Pølse 

This is a food that I have never been a huge fan of but at least in Norway cooking hot dogs can be a bit more fun! In the summer, people of all ages love buying mini grills made from an aluminum pan filled with charcoal and topped with a metal grade and they take them to the local park, beach, or rooftop to have a cookout. The funny thing is these grills are super small and run out of energy quickly so one grill can cook a maximum of 15 hotdogs over the course of 15 minutes. 

One interesting trend here is that hotdogs are eaten in a tortilla wrap along with hot dog buns. Again, not being a huge fan of hotdogs in general this wasn’t too appealing to me but try anything once!

Reinsdyr (Sorry Rudolph)

Reindeer is a more expensive meat that is not eaten all too often but is certainly unique to Nordic countries. Like other types of deer, reindeer is a gamey meat that can be prepared in many different ways. I have tried both sausage and stew with reindeer and had I not known it was reindeer, I would have guessed it to be simple whitetail deer or something similar from back home!

Exploring food can be quite fun in Norway and hopefully this list can be expanded in a second edition later in my study abroad semester as new foods enter my life!

I hope you enjoyed this post and are hungry to try new foods as well!

Bergen was been on my list of must-see locations long before I arrived in Norway. For hundreds of years it has preserved its history and culture while being influenced by traders from across the world!

Some of the most well-known features of Bergen are the mountains and fjords that surround it and all other west-coast cities. It is even rumored that the town of Arendal from the Disney movie Frozen was designed with Bergen in mind! It truly felt like I was living in a Disney movie throughout my journey in Bergen.

Student tip: When exploring Scandinavia, it is often most time and cost-effective to fly airlines like SAS or Norwegian which offer youth priced tickets and only take 1-3 hours flight time to arrive anywhere in the country! When booking through SAS simply select “youth tickets” when booking a flight and when using Norwegian add the promo code “Under26”. This is one area of the world where being a youth really pays off!

Day 1 : Train Ride to the West

Whole I would normally take a flight to a new city, Bergen was one exception because the train ride is known to be especially scenic. Starting off in Oslo, the terrain was hilly and green. As we continued west, the scenery dramatically changes to reveal high misty mountains and rippling rivers. My favorite view was around 8:00pm when the sun began to set in the mountains creating a halo of light around the trees.

I arrived in Bergen around 10pm and honestly could barely see a thing! I knew I was surrounded by mountains but after the sun set on my train, I was pretty much staring out a black window which built up the anticipation for the new area I was entering. It is always surprising to see how little light pollution big cities have in Norway but it certainly reflects the sustainable and eco-friendly mindset of the country. Luckily the train station was only 5 minutes walk from my hostel so it was easy to get settled in for the night.

Hostels are not something I have much experience with but have always seemed intriguing and fun. Marken Gjestehus became my home base for the trip and certainly enriched my travel experience! While there I met a woman from Korea who was in Copenhagen for a psychiatry conference and decided to explore Norway while in the area. She was super sweet and shared stories about her time as a medical student. We both ended up bonding over stories from being in a cadaver lab and she even explained the surgical procedure and atmosphere of harvesting organs! Clearly she and I have very unique interests but it was fun to hear from someone who was older in her career but still enjoyed traveling and exploring new things! I also met a woman from Oslo who is a certified mushroom expert who offered to meet up with me back in Oslo and show me how to properly pick mushrooms and how to detect the poisonous ones. I learned a lot from the people I was surrounded by!

The facilities at Marken were excellent and I felt totally safe walking around in the morning or late at night to cook meals in the community kitchen or journal and watch tv in the den. One of the funniest moments was sitting on the couch after a long day of traveling to the fjords. My roommates had already fallen asleep so I simply wanted to have a place to quietly journal and unwind before bed. When arriving to the community den, I realized that our hostel only had the option to play the Norwegian national channel which happened to be playing clips of choirs of middle age Norwegians singing what I imagined to be Christian songs. These low-quality clips certainly made my time journaling a bit more memorable though I think I prefer Netflix!

Day 2 : Exploring the City

The first morning I spent in Bergen I was nearly overwhelmed by the beauty of Bergen and all of the places to explore! Just looking out my window from my bedroom, I was enchanted by the tiny cottages sitting on a mountain steps away from my bed. It truly felt like I was dropped into a Disney movie, complete with castles! Before heading out to explore, I was happy to find a small cafe located only a few steps from my hostel. Black coffee and a kanelbolle (cinnamon bun) helped me warm up from the cold rain outside and set me up for an awesome day!

The first place I went was the harbor known as Bryggen. This area of town is famous for its wooden trading houses which were built in the 12th century and rebuilt again in the 1700’s after “The Great Fire”. While the houses are most famous due to their colorful exterior, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the interior as well. Each shop had its own unique character and items such as jewelry, christmas ornaments, animal furs, and artwork were all on display. It was interesting to see what aspects of Norwegian culture were most prominently showcased in this area as it is heavily trafficked by tourists.

Just a few meters past Bryggen was another landmark that quickly became a favorite…Håkonshallen (Håkon’s Hall). This hall was built in the 1200’s by Håkon Håkonsson a Norwegian King and was used as a Royal residence and banqueting hall. This building also was one of few to survive city fires occurring in the 13th and 16th centuries as well as a ship explosion during WWII. Behind the gray stone walls lies a magnificent ballroom which can hold dozens of guests for formal dinners and other events. While sitting in this room, I had a moment of reflection where for the first time I was able to fully grasp the amount of beauty and history Norway holds. I can only imagine the pride that the Norwegian Royal Family must feel knowing they can represent a country that is filled with so much peace and social wellbeing.

The second half of my day was spent with a small group of fellow travelers being guided through the city by a local named Nicole. Nicole offers tours through Airbnb Experience where for $38, guests can be taken through Bergen for 4 hours and learn all about the history of the city and in particular, the stories of unknown women who shaped Norwegian history.

First of all, let it be known that this woman is incredibly smart! She is currently pursuing her SECOND master’s degree as she already has one in Literature but wants to be a teacher in Norway which requires a specific teaching masters. She also has bachelor degrees in History and Anthropology so overall she is clearly someone who can soak up knowledge like a sponge. On the tour, Nicole pointed out buildings and told stories starting from the 700’s until WWII. As I am currently enrolled in a course called “Norwegian Culture and History”, I found this tour to be extremely interesting because it helped me connected physical landmarks and people to the history which can seem dry and unrelatable during lecture. Spending an afternoon learning about Bergen made me feel much more connected to the city and to Norway in general!

While I mostly packed sandwiches and cooked for myself to save money on this trip, I did splurge after the tour to try famous Bergen fiskesuppe and fiskeboller (fish soup and fish balls). One of the locations mentioned during my tour with Nicole was Søstrene Hagelin, a small town restaurant serving traditional Norwegian food and run by two sisters from Bergen. It turned out that Søstrene Hagelin had really delicious food but it was totally reasonable in price which is extremely rare in Norway! For $8 I got a large cup of fish soup filled with fish balls, carrots, cod, and potatoes. It was the perfect meal to end a long and tiring day!

Day 3 : Fjord Adventures in Flåm

The second day on my trip was certainly the most exhausting but arguably one of the most memorable things I have ever done. From 7:30am to 10:30pm I traveled by ferry, foot, bus, and train from Bergen to Flåm and back again! The tiny town of Flåm is famous because of its location, at the end of the Sognefjord which is the second longest fjord in the world. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Bergen to take the ferry to Flåm and experience first-hand the beauty of the Norwegian fjords.

The theme of the day was rain which is typical of Bergen and the time of year. The unexpected theme also became rainbows as the rainy air mixed with brief periods of sunshine creating bright streams of color across the sky! Over the course of the entire ferry ride (5.5 hours) our boat passed by at least 6 rainbows and it is likely I didn’t even see them all. Since five hours is quite a long time to look out the window at the scenery, I took this time to write postcards to family and read. Every 20 or 30 minutes I would walk to the back of the boat which had a deck where we could easily take photos and have a clear view of the scenery. I also chatted with two women sitting across from my seat who were on vacation together from Australia and were quite friendly. Again, I tried to take advantage of meeting new people while traveling!

Around the 2 hour mark of the boat ride, the land surrounding the water became much more extreme and towered hundreds of meters above our heads. We also made a couple of stops at small fishing and fruit-producing towns which I enjoyed as it allowed us to see how some Norwegians live in such quiet and isolated parts of the country. By the end of our tour, we were surrounded by undeniable mountains, some even capped with snow!

The coolest moment of this trip was the rainbow-finish at the end of our ferry ride! As our boat pulled into the bay at Flåm, a giant rainbow stretched down into the fjord that was truly “picture perfect”. Since most of the ferry riders were focused on our docking, they didn’t even see this rainbow which meant that I could stand on the back deck of the ferry with few others around and soak up the beauty with a bit of peace. As I was about to leave the boat, one of the women from Australia came over and said she was able to capture a couple of photos for me and I was enjoying the view. This was such a thoughtful gesture and now I have photos to forever remember this moment!

Flåm was a cute little town and I had about three hours to spend there which was more than enough time! After unloading from the ferry, I got some lunch of reindeer stew (sorry Rudolph!) and enjoyed more of the breathtaking views! The reindeer turned out to be very delicious and not too different from other meats I am used to eating aside from it being a bit gamey. The rest of the time I spent walking around the town and exploring waterfalls. At one point, I stopped to get some water and thought I heard a car coming down the road but was shocked to realize it was simply the sound of water rushing through the valley. In that moment, I could count 8 different waterfalls all visible and they created the most peaceful and calming sound!

The train ride home was also a bit of an adventure as I had to take two different trains back to Bergen. The first was part of the Flåmsbana which is an old railway that has tracks only going in one direction. The cars of this train were adorable and decorated with lots of wood and warm red interiors. It made the ride feel very cosy and safe despite the steep drop below the tracks. The second train was less eventful as it was a normal speed train but by 9pm, I didn’t care what the train looked like because I just wanted to get home and be warm in my bed!

Day 4 : Hiking and Heading Home

By the last day in Bergen, I was truly exhausted! Late nights and lots of walking were running me down but my final day was a short one so I still tried to enjoy as much as possible.

The rain was very heavy in Bergen on Saturday which put a bit of a damper on my plans to hike a nearby mountain called Ulreken. This hike is relatively easy as it follows stone steps and takes only an hour to reach the top but rewards hikers with a view of the entire city of Bergen and the surrounding fjords. As it was especially rainy, I decided to take a tram up to the top of the mountain and only hike down to reduce time in the rain and have enough time to walk the city before catching my plane home.

While walking down a mountain sounds much easier than hiking up I started to believe quite the opposite! The view at the top of the mountain was foggy but cleared up enough for me to see the city for which I was grateful. However, as I began to hike down, I realized that the chilly air had made my muscles tense up and quickly my legs were shaking with each stair step down the mountain. With little incentive to complete the hike (no beautiful views), I found myself taking my sweet time getting down and was relieved when I was finally back in the city. Regardless it felt good to move around knowing I would be sitting on the plane and buses to get home.

My final hour in Bergen was spent walking around a very touristy fish market with GIANT and very overpriced seafood. Luckily Søstrene Hagelin, the restaurant from my second day, was nearby so I grabbed some Plukkfisk (salted cod mixed with mashed potatoes) to satisfy my seafood craving.

The ride home was bittersweet since Bergen was such a fun place to explore and learn about Norwegian history. I certainly hope to return to this city before I head back home in December. After all, this Disneyesque town must look even more magical in the winter!

One of my favorite things about living in Oslo is how hiking and outdoor activities are such a natural part of everyday life. With the city literally built around a forest, the air just feels fresh and clean!

This Friday, I along with three other exchange students got together to hike Vettakollen, a relatively easy and quick route which ends at the top of a hill overlooking the city. This hike was the first time our group had ever met but we had connected in an exchange student group chat a few days prior. One of my favorite parts of being on exchange is that I am able to meet lots of new people and easily initiate little adventures because all of us on exchange want to make memories and new friends.

I have actually completed the hike to Vettakollen once before but it happened to be very rainy that day and resulted in absolutely no view whatsoever. This time around, I was excited to finally enjoy the breathtaking view and meet some new students along the way.

The first part of our trip totally flew by! Having a Swiss guy (who consistently hikes for hours at a time back home) lead our group, we seemed to race up the hill. On our way we did encounter some unique Norwegian adventurers, including a guy who was BIKING up the hill. Considering the path was totally unstable and rocky, this was a very impressive feat.

At the top, the view was truly everything I hoped! Since the first time I hiked Vettakollen there was such a lack of view, it was a bit eerie realizing how much of my surroundings I had been blind to. Regardless it was nice to start off the morning with a view of our beautiful city and to enjoy some exercise.

This is when I thought our hike would be ending but little did I know we had a much larger adventure in store. After sitting at the top of Vettakollen for 20 minutes eating lunch, we noticed that the path continued into the trees and decided to continue walking, after all it had only taken us about 25 minutes to get to the top and we wanted to get more of a workout in.

This was the time when my new friend Severin from Switzerland decided we should set a new goal for ourselves in the form of Holmenkollen, a giant ski jump which was visible but on the opposite side of the forest. Our group went along with the idea as we continued the trek but quickly realized that the journey might actually be feasible! As we continued to hike deeper and deeper into the forest, it was clear that in order for us to reach Holmenkollen we would have to be willing to go off trail and adventure into whatever was lying ahead.

This is one of the first hikes I have taken where I had an end goal but no easy way to arrive. For that reason I think it’s memory will always be cherished. For the next hour and a half our group slowly navigated through thick trees, slippery rocks, and two rivers. At one point, we even had to rock climb down a small cliff to finally reach a path leading to the Holmenkollen.

The positive attitudes of all group members definitely made this experience far more fun than expected. Even after our hike, we have continued to invite each other to partake in more hikes and even a few trips across Norway!

When we finally came to the official trail to Holmenkollen there was a bittersweet moment. While we had finally arrived to the trail, we still had to walk several kilometers in order to arrive at the famous ski slope. By the end, my calves were burning but it was totally worth it to reach the top of the ski slopes!

At Holmenkollen, there are several Olympic-sized ski jumps which have all been used in the 1952 Olympics. The sheer height of these slopes gave me chills and I could only imagine what would inspire a person to lock in their skis and fly down the mountain.

As many say, “it’s not about the destination but the journey” and honestly that describes our adventure to a tee. In the end it was nice to see the ski slopes but the true memories come from being guided down a rocky cliff and hearing about a fellow students life in Finland. Those are the memories that make me want to go out and continue exploring and inviting others along.

This weekend my girlfriends and I made our first trip away from Oslo to explore the southwestern city of Stavanger. With the exception of a large hike, we didn’t have much planned and were excited to see what all we could discover in this town in the fjords.

Upon arrival, we drove through the city center on our way to the Airbnb we rented. It was clear at first glance that Stavanger has a much older and more historic feel than modern and bustling Oslo. Little shops lined cobblestone streets and tall mountains and the fjord could be seen in the distance.

Our Airbnb was situated a bit outside of the city center, about 15 minutes walk, but was perfect for the four of us to relax and cook simple meals. It was a very quirky place with an attic feel. The most magical piece in this place was by far the giant wardrobe that opened up to become the kitchen. We seriously were convinced our apartment didn’t have a kitchen until the accidental discovery.

The first day in Stavanger was pretty relaxed which was fine since we had been sitting for many hours on busses to and from the airport (the actual flight was only 30 minutes) and wanted to simply stretch out our legs. As seen from the bus, downtown Stavanger is very quaint and cute with a few tourist shops as well as groceries, restaurants, and ice cream. When walking along the sea, we came upon several MASSIVE cruise ships which justified the need for cheesy tourist shops in what seems to be a down-to-earth Norwegian town.

One shop that was particularly interesting sold Bunad which is traditional Norwegian clothing. The girls running the shop were very kind and explained to us that these outfits can actually be worn several times a year in Norway for things like weddings, baptisms, and Norwegian Constitution Day which takes place in May. Bunad can cost upwards of $500 but are typically purchased when a person is around 15 years old and can essentially be worn for life. The fabrics in this shop were beautifully decorated and I was very impressed by their detailed stitching. It would be great to come back sometime in May to experience the holiday for myself.

The evening was fairly uneventful as we had BIG plans for the following day and needed lots of rest! After having a delicious Spanish tortilla for dinner compliments of Paula, we all showered and tucked ourselves in for the night.

The next morning started off early…7am to be exact! Our plan for the day was honestly the main reason we came to Stavanger, hike Preikestolen. Preikestolen (prey-ka-stoh-len) is a large rock which leans out over the Lysefjord and allows hikers to view the fjord from 650 meters (nearly 2000 feet!) above. This can also be a fairly challenging hike and requires hikers to take a ferry and a bus for one hour each to simply get to the base of the trail. I was initially a bit nervous since I am far from an experienced hiker but was extremely excited to get out and see the beautiful views of Norway!

After taking the morning ferry and bus, we were greeted at the base of Preikestolen with TONS of rain! It was an absolute downpour and looked like miserable weather for a 4 hour hike. However, we had just traveled nearly 2 hours to get to this mountain and knew that we could not let a little (or a lot) of rain stop us from reaching the top! At this point we did what any self-respecting tourists would do, we trekked to the nearby gift shop and bought giant ponchos. These ones happened to have “Norway” with the Norwegian flag printed on the front which made us look even more tacky but they did their job and keep us dry!

Despite the rain, we decided there was no time like the present to begin our long journey to the top of Preikestolen. We were quickly surprised though because the rain stopped almost immediately after we began to walk and only came back a couple of times as sprinkles. Not to worry though, our fashionable ponchos still kept us warm from the winds and made us feel SUPER confident haha!

The first half of the hike was quite tough and mostly made of steep stairs of rock which made me wonder how this path was built…it must have taken a lot of strength and force to build a rocky path up the side of a mountain!

The second half was by far my favorite! Even with residual fog from the rains, we could see the fjord out in the distance and other nearby mountains with green moss and colorful flowers.

About two hours in, we were starting to get hungry and tired but knew our reward was close! The path seemed to get more narrow and nearer to the deep cliffs below, at times so close that ropes were put along the side for safety. When we finally reached the end of the hike, it was absolutely breathtaking! Steep cliffs and misty rivers surrounded us and it felt like we had been transported to a nature wonderland. Despite being so high up in the air, I felt a great sense of peace and amazement at the surrounding nature and all that my body had just accomplished.

We stayed at the top of Preikestolen for nearly an hour taking photos, eating lunch, and layering on extra sweatshirts (it was really cold at the top). I loved seeing all of the different hikers around us. Some people brought dogs and even children as young as 6 years old! It was also beautiful to hear all kinds of languages being spoken around us. It is clear that this spot is special to many people across the world and I am very grateful to now have memories there as well!

The hike back felt much quicker and easier than the ascent. The large rocky stairs that burned my thighs and calves on the way up were almost fun going down and I was able to enjoy the scenery of the hike much more. By this time, it was around 1pm and there were still lots of people starting their climb. The one big difference between the morning and afternoon hikers was their level of preparedness. While the morning hikers all had backpacks and strong hiking shoes, the afternoon hikers might only be wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. I am no pro but it was clear to me that their feet would be hurting very quickly!

Returning to the city, we were all exhausted! Napping and relaxing in the airbnb for a few hours was well deserved and gave us just enough energy to shower and walk into the Stavanger city center to find a place to hang out for the evening. The only problem…on a Friday night in the middle of the summer in Norway’s fourth-largest city, it was totally dead! We were thoroughly shocked but not entirely mad as we were still super tired and really just wanted to sleep. Shortly after going out, we marched ourselves right back home and cuddled up to watch “Eat Pray Love”, a travel classic!

Our third day in Stavanger was a little less exciting but gave us the walking we needed to help our sore legs recover from hiking the day before. While the others slept until around 9:30am, I woke up at 8am and found a local coffee shop to grab coffee and a pastry. Skolebrød are one of my favorite Norwegian pastries and I never pass up the chance to eat them!

Rather than spend the day in the city center of Stavanger yet another time, we decided to travel to a nearby town called Hommersåk. This place was super cute and fun to explore for a few hours. The only way to travel there was a ferry which provided us with views the entire route as we briefly docked at islands surrounding Stavanger. It still blows my mind that people frequently live on these little islands and ferry their way to work or school each day.

Hommersåk was a peaceful town and we mostly walked around and explored the scenery. One of my favorite spots was a random waterfall near the harbor which we sat nearby to eat our lunches.

The evening was again pretty uneventful but we were still tired from the day before. Our dinner was made by Xin from China who cooked noodles with egg and tomato. I also ate some fresh crab which I purchased earlier from a small fish market.

After dinner, we finished “Eat Pray Love” and informed our Chinese and Spanish friends of American slang words which could be useful in the future. Things like “lit, thic, and fam” were all discussed.

By our fourth and final day in Stavanger, it is safe to say we were ready to head home. We did find a cute restaurant that had a DIY Norwegian waffle bar though so that was on our list before cleaning out the airbnb and commuting to the airport which was totally worth it!

My new favorite Norwegian meal is a Norwegian waffle with jam, brønøst, and sour cream. We were able to make them for only $2 a waffle and decorate them with any toppings we desired. While we were a bit tired and ready to go home on our final day, enjoying waffles together helped to give us a final positive memory in Stavanger.

In all, Stavanger was cute town but I believe hiking is the highlight of the location. I am glad we took time to spend a weekend there but honestly don’t need to go back for a while unless it is to explore more of the fjords. I am especially glad to have experienced Preikastolen and the breathtaking fjords for which Norway is most famous!

Even in August, Oslo can easily keep temperatures around 65 °F (15 °C) and rain for hours at a time. For this reason it is important to cherish every sunny moment available, even if it only lasts a few minutes!

The great news is that Oslo has TONS of unique places where locals and tourists alike can spend this warm (75 °F/23°C) and beautiful weather. Here is a list of a few spots I have been able to experience over the past week when Oslo was blessed with blue and sunny skies!

Oslofjord

The Oslofjord is a large expanse of water south of Oslo city and includes lots of water dotted with islands, many of which are reached via ferry. The awesome part about these ferries is that they are included in the fees for local transport just like a bus or train. As a long-term resident, I already have purchased a month transport pass so these islands do not add any extra costs!

Currently my favorite island is Lindøya which is one of the larger islands and is covered in colorful cottages. It is simply adorable and allows you to explore and have a little look into the lives of the locals. Around 5pm, folks were walking around the island in business attire as they returned home after working in the city. Lindøya also has small beaches and overlooks which provide an excellent view of the surrounding scenery.

Another island that was cute and provided excellent scenery was Ulvøya. Unlike Lindøya, Ulvøya allows for cars and has many more year-round residents. It also has a big bridge that can be walked rather than needing a ferry.

Drøbak Day Trip

For only $3, it is possible to add a zone to an existing bus ticket and travel beyond the main neighborhoods in Oslo. Drøbak is a quaint fishing village about an hour southeast of Oslo. This place may be small but on a sunny day, it provides the perfect escape from the city rush. Fishing boats and lunch on a wooden diving board were just a few elements that made that adventure so fun!

Frognerparken

This is one of Oslo’s most popular tourist attractions but for locals, it is simply a place to chill and play games in the grass. During the week of Fadderullan (Buddy Week) our fadergroup even came here to hang out before going to a boat party in the fjord.

Frognerparken has lush gardens and unique statues depicting naked people in all kinds of weird and creative positions. Honestly, I find some of the statues a bit disturbing but the park is still a wonderful place to relax!

Royal Palace Gardens

First of all, I would like to recognize how cool it is that I get to live in a city that has a ROYAL PALACE! Coming from the States where we have resisted royalty throughout our entire history, I find it incredibly fascinating to be able to casually walk around a Royal Palace in the center of a large city.

While the palace sits at the top of a large hill in the Oslo city center, behind the building lies lush gardens with trees, flowers, and even a pond! Sitting in the lawn and imagining life in the palace walls is certainly a fun way to pass the time in the warm weather.

Sognsvann

With the sea surrounding the Oslofjord being so cold, it is reasonable to seek out warmer waters to take a dip after sitting in the sun. Sognsvann offers exactly that along with plenty of areas to hike, lay out in the sun, or BBQ. Some of the most daring (and warm blooded) of my friends even swam out to the island in the center of the lake.

Oslo Botanical Gardens

This was another place I found when looking for a study spot. I find these gardens special as they are maintained by a local university and have multiple sections with different themes and landscapes.

The garden pictured above is called “Granny’s Garden” and was my personal favorite. The thing that made this garden so unique is that it was actually developed to be a sensory space for adults with Alzheimer’s. While I sat out on the grass, I saw many people interacting with the colorful flowers or going into huts and hedges such as the one pictured above. It is clear the Norwegians value the quality of life their citizens have and strive to help raise it every day!

Take a Hike!

Norway is known for its beautiful and scenic trails and Oslo is no exception. There are countless trails that allow active individuals to work out their legs and reward them with views of the city below. I hiked this trail with friends starting at 10am which was perfect as we avoided the mid-day heat (yes…it was actually warm enough to have HEAT) and still had time to adventure into the afternoon.

Grefsenkollen is a fun spot to hike as it ends at the top of a hill which has a bar. Of course, in the morning there is no need to make a purchase but they were super sweet and left large pitchers of water out for the morning hikers. Again…Norwegians know how to take care of people!

Huk Beach

This beach now holds some of my dearest memories! While about an hour from my apartment, this location is totally worth it! There are large sandy beaches, rocks to climb, space to grill, and play games.

After class this Tuesday (8/27/19) some friends and I packed up lunches and boarded the bus to Huk. It was literally the last stop on our bus so took quite a while but it was fun to chat and get to learn more about one another. As it was one of the hottest days of the year in Oslo, the beach was quite full with locals. I especially noticed a lot of young people and couples with children running around naked on the beach.

The beaches are different from those in Michigan as they are much more rocky and are often covered with sea glass and shells. They also have large rocks near the shore which are great for climbing and relaxing while getting a view of the water.

The day ended with a beautiful sunset which we watched while sitting on nearby cliffs. Seeing the warm sun set with the fjord and hills in the distance was a truly magical experience which I hope to have again in the future!

While Oslo may not be the warmest city on the planet, it is clear that there are loads of beautiful, fun, and relaxing locations to suit any mood or lifestyle.

Starting August 13th, BI Norwegian Business School and all other universities in Oslo celebrate orientation also known as Fadderullan (fa-deh-rue-lahn). This is a time for new and exchange students to get to know one another and the city. I thought welcome week back in the USA was long but fadderullan takes it to a whole new level!

It begins when you are paired with fadderleders (buddies) who have already completed one year in the university. These guys are in charge of showing you a good time. Throughout the entire week, these folks must wear purple shirts and you can see the faderleders throughout the city. My buddies are all in the Economics and Leadership program and met each other last year as first year students. Sylia, Lydia, Trina, Helene, and Monja have all been excellent fadderleders and love to have a good time!

Everyday, the buddies invite you to their house or apartment before your entire group heads into the city clubs or to a local arena for a concert. So much of fadderullan consists of social time spent playing games and honestly consuming alcohol. The Norwegians are pretty quiet in passing but LOVE to drink and have a good time.

In order to participate in the school-sanctioned events, students purchase tickets costing $30-40! When buying tickets for every night’s event the cost can add up quickly!

The full weeks schedule includes 2 late night concerts, a bar crawl, and a boat party.

As I did not expect the fadderullan event costs in this first week and am perfectly happy at house parties and pubs, I only bought tickets for one concert and the boat parties.

The concert was nice but quite loud and included around 1,000 new students and fadderleders (buddies) dancing.

The first two djs weren’t all that special but Italobrothers were the headliners of the night and had a very fun set! It was cool because they are pretty popular here and I got to hear songs live that are often played at parties and on the radio. My favorites are “Summer Air” and “Stamp on the Ground”.

The SAIL party on Sunday was by far my favorite event of the week! After some hanging out in Frognerparken (typically a huge tourist destination but just a normal hangout spot for us haha), we went to the docks near the city center and met our ship, “Dronninger” which means “the queen”. In reality this was just a giant ferry but it was decked out with two djs, salmon and egg wraps, and tons of beer ($10/can).

I had an amazing time on this ship and wish I could go again! All of my buddy group and other groups who we have made friends with over the week were on this ship and we took over the top deck at the stern of the ship. This spot was far less crowded than the bow but still allowed us to view the fjords and see the city in the distance.

Dancing for 3 hours straight got my heart pounding and definitely made my legs sore but it was totally worth it! The best part was the fact that I could be around so many fun people who I can already say are friends.

As we pulled into the docks, many oslo city goers were recording us dancing and singing on the giant ferry. We must have looked pretty intense!

One thing to note that I learned during this week is that because BI Norwegian Business School is a private university, the fadderullan events are a bit more pricey and extravagant than the other universities. While I know I wouldn’t be able to consistently live in this way, it has made for an incredible introduction to Norway and study abroad.

Now that we have met lots of new people and socialized with our fellow students, it is time for class to begin. I am currently writing this as I take a bus to my first class of the semester. It still doesn’t feel like I’m here to study but I am excited to get to know the education system in this country. Let’s see if Norwegians study as hard as they party! 😂

I have officially been in Oslo for over 24 hours and I must say that I think I am going to like it here!

I arrived in Oslo after a red eye flight and only 1.5 hours of sleep. The flights to Amsterdam and Oslo both went smoothly and I was even able to navigate myself to my apartment in under an hour! The view of the countryside from the airport was lovely! My favorite part was seeing the rolling hills and bits of ocean in the distance.

Everything was quite clean when I arrived in the city and it is interesting how much nature is embedded in the area. It is common to see large clusters of pines, almost the size of small forests, between houses in the city.

My roommate is sweet and very outgoing which is wonderful. One of the first things she said was that if I needed any help unpacking just let her know! She is from Spain and also left a warm climate to come here but has a positive attitude about the rainy weather. We have already agreed we will hike rain or shine!

As they say in Norway, “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”

After unpacking my two bags, Paula and I decided to go to IKEA to get our remaining apartment items such as a shower curtain, comforter, and trash cans. Public transport has been so simple, I still can’t get over it! We only took an hour in total to travel and found everything that we needed! We even have similar taste in style which made color selection a breeze.

Carrying large items back on the busses was less embarrassing than I expected and I am so glad we were able to buy everything so early, the apartment is looking good!

I got a simple dinner of salmon soup at a local Norwegian chain restaurant called Pink Fish. It was perfect as I knew I should eat but couldn’t stomach a huge meal after so much travel.

Getting home at 9pm (19:00) I was absolutely exhausted and fell asleep for 12 hours!

The following day Paula and I were able to meet with other exchange students during a student-focused trip to a lake in the city. We all hiked around and took in the peaceful scenery. After we were given free coffee and chatted with the girls we met during the walk.

After the walk Paula and I headed back to our apartment to clean up and then caught a train to the city center to explore our new home! Next door another WMU student is living along with her roommate who is from Sweden. Both were excited to adventure through the city which made them the perfect excursion buddies.

Oslo has many cute shops…all of which are closed on Sundays. Regardless of hours, we were able to see many things including the Oslo Operahuset, Salt (a sauna and art center), the Royal Palace, and the Oslofjord. I can’t wait to go back!

After all of the walking (20,000+ steps!) we all went back to our apartment and I got dinner at a local restaurant. Cod with tomatoes and potatoes was the perfect cozy meal after a bit of chilly rain.

The people here have all been very kind and accommodating, especially with English. I haven’t had to speak much norwegian at all…something I plan to work on over the next few months.

The university is just 5 minutes away from our apartment which is nestled between about 5 other apartment buildings holding students and families alike. It is peaceful here and feels a bit more down-to-earth compared to the touristy city center near downtown Oslo.

I am excited to call Oslo my new home and see what adventures lie ahead!

With less than 2 weeks left before I embark to Oslo, my time has been filled with appointment setting and last-minute shopping. Here are a few things to add to the to-do list before leaving the country.

Appointments

• Hair…balayge to keep the highlights looking fresh
• Birth control (and other medications)
• Contacts for 5 months

Purchases

• Hiking boots
• Eddie Bauer travel backpack
• Portable phone charger
• Power strip (compatible with European outlets)

Visits

• Family (time to chill and pack)
• Friends (a quick lunch to catch up on summer fun before parting ways)
• Significant other (Eddie time ♥️)

It still doesn’t quite feel real but I am definitely getting excited! Only 10 more days until I will be on my way to OSLO!

One of my favorite parts of sharing this upcoming journey with friends, family, and colleagues has been the countless pieces of advice offered up in conversation. It is interesting because these goals really tell me a lot about what the advice-giver values in life and what they wish for me as well. Things like “travel as much as possible”, “make your new city feel like home”, and “actually try to learn the language” have all been spoken countless times at this point but one thing is for sure, these tips have made me really reflect on what I hope to gain from this time abroad.

Setting goals helps me feel more grounded when heading into a new experience, phase of life, or adventure. Over the course of the upcoming months, I know that I will write this list out in my personal journals and on paper as a poster in my room which can help keep me focused through tough days.

Here are the goals I hope to achieve while in Oslo!

Cook the Norwegian way🔪

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Learn basic conversation in Bokmål

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Make friends who are Norwegian🤸

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Make friends who are international students

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Travel to a new country at least twice a month (Italy, Spain, Germany, UK, Croatia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Greece, Portugal)✈️

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Travel to a new Norwegian city at least twice a month (day trips!)🚟

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Visit the Fjords

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Swim in the ocean 🚢

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Try a sauna on the beach

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Adopt some European clothing trends👖

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Learn to pack quickly and lightly

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Savor little moments in a new place

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Send hand written letters home 💌

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Be a strong student (but don’t stress about school)

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Feel like a local in Oslo

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Visit the Nobel Peace Prize Museum

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Learn how to use train and bus systems (or really just gain any general sense of direction) 🚂

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Say yes to as many unique opportunities as possible!