Quiet Doesn’t Mean Rude

Living in a city known for it’s “cold” personalities, I have gained a new appreciation for personal respect and privacy. While it was tough to adjust to minimal small talk and social contact with the residents of Oslo, I have started to understand why this is an accepted social norm. In the past, my extroverted personality would jump at the chance to speak up and ask lots of questions of others (while also speaking quite a bit about myself). After living in Norway, I now find myself taking a step back and allowing others the chance to grow comfortable with me before engaging. Respecting the privacy of others can be as simple as not asking too many questions in the grocery store or in line for the bus. Recognizing when others are taking time for themselves has allowed me to reflect more on my own thoughts and feelings while also soaking up more of my surroundings.

Every City has its Challenges

At first glance, Oslo could easily be described as an ideal city. It is located in the world’s richest country. It is sustainable. It is gender equal. Having lived in Oslo, I would agree that many of these things make the city a pretty awesome living spot!

At the same time though, I have also attended several conferences and had some fairly skeptical professors over the semester. The discussions that ensued have helped me understand some of the struggles that Oslo and Norway are facing while maintaining the image of an ideal city. These struggles include gender employment inequality (only 60% of Norwegian women are working full-time compared to men), high taxes, and the moral dilemma between using oil as a main export while also establishing a sustainable society. Don’t get me wrong, I still believe that I would go back to Norway and work full-time in the country if given the chance, but I also can say that I have a new appreciation for the reality of life in a Nordic country.

Candles can get you through Winter

The terms “hygge” and “koselig” are beautiful ways to describe the cozy feeling experienced when snuggled up in a blanket with a warm fire and candlelight. It is more emotional than our english term “cozy” as it is something that really gets into the soul. The evenings I have spent warm in my Norwegian apartment reading or watching Netflix might be some of my favorites from the entire trip. I have learned to embrace the dark seasons of the year by adding light and warmth into my home instead. Rather than forcing myself into the snow, I began to appreciate the beauty that an apartment can have when filled with the yellow light from candles and adventures from my latest book.

Certainly upon my return, I expect to buy many more candles which have helped to survive such dark and chilly winters. I know it sounds cheesy but I challenge anyone reading to find a good book and cozy up to a candle-lit evening wrapped up in your preferred blanket and you too can feel the warmth of a koselig moment!

Change up Your Routine

When studying abroad, it is rare to be bored or have to do the same thing twice. The ability to always experience new things has been one of the best things for my personality which craves newness and adventure. I have also found that I rarely let myself fall into habits for fear of letting my days feel mundane or slow. This could be as simple as taking a different bus home or walking down a new street to get to my university. These little changes were neither hard nor time consuming. While I recognize that my life in Kalamazoo might not have quite as much opportunity for new experiences as in Oslo, I have learned the importance of finding new things to appreciate in life. Returning home, it will be important to spice up my scheduled weeks and months to be sure that I am living life to the fullest!

Patience Patience Patience

One of my biggest advantages in life is that I speak English as my first language. One of my biggest disadvantages is that I do not have much language capability beyond preschool Spanish and a handful of Norwegian phrases. This semester I was in the shoes of both a teacher and a student countless times. As a teacher, I would help my exchange friends (from across Europe) edit their essays, refine their sentences, and correct their grammar as requested. I was always in charge of proofreading and had the responsibility of making sure our work was up-to-part when it came to how our thoughts came across on a page. As a student, I was constantly trying to learn new words from my friends who seemingly could understand one another based on the languages of their home countries. I have been forced to learn to be patient and intentional with my communication. The lesson of patience has also come across in my tolerance with myself, espcailly as I have pushed myself to learn elements of a new language. My impatience typically results in getting frustrated and quickly quitting. Having seen first-hand what wonderful progress can be made with dedication over time, my drive to improve my patience has been growing and can continue to improve throughout my life.

Stay Humble

One of my favorite Nordic ideals is called the “Law of Jante”. This is essentially the mentality that within a society, there should be an emphasis on collective accomplishments and well-being rather than individualistic success. This is a big reason why teacher’s (even when holding their Doctorate degree) are only to be called by their first-name and students work in group projects far more frequently than solo. There can be some faults to this ideology, specifically when it comes to innovation and competition, but regardless the Law of Jante aims to foster a culture of collectivism which supports the society at-large. In business, this has helped me understand why it is so difficult to “network” with Scandinavians in the braggy way that usually is standard back home. The Law of Jante has taught me to keep in mind how my actions impact others and how to continue to stay humble as it can bring greater success over time.

Take a Walk, or a hike, or a ski…just get into nature!

Oslo is a capital city that is surrounded by nature and I don’t just mean surrounded by a couple of trees. Oslo has a forest, rolling hills, lakes, islands, rivers, and even a fjord! The beauty of this might not be apparent when standing in the city center but wander just a few hundred meters away and you can come across Akerselva, the city’s old mill river. Hop on a subway and in less than 30 minutes you can hike up Kolsåstoppen or Vettakollen for a fantastic view of the city. Float your way through the Oslo fjord and get acquainted with the five islands surrounding the city.

Since most everything is closed on Sundays in Norway, I have learned to embrace nature and dedicate my Sundays to the exploration of the natural beauty that surrounded me! I am so glad to have been given a day off from shopping and chores on Sunday because this day allowed me to relax and recharge while soaking up some fresh air and the occasional ray of sunshine. I have learned to slow down and appreciate the healing powers of nature and will seek out more natural methods of stress relief upon my return.

After nearly four and a half months of living in Oslo, I have begun to notice there are locations that have become more familiar to others. Certain parks, streets, and cafes seem to bring me an extra dose of happiness which is why I seem to have gravitated toward and revisited them throughout the semester. If you ever find yourself in Oslo, here are a few locations that you certainly cannot miss!

Mathallen

Literally translated as “the food hall”, Mathallen offers a collection of food stalls offering all sorts of delicious things! Here is where I first tried reindeer sausage and have enjoyed lots of samples (rare in Oslo). This is the place to go when you don’t know what you want to eat and enjoy trying new foods!

Frognerparken

A park literally designed to showcase the work of Gustav Vigeland. Frognerpark (also known as Vigelandpark) is filled with statues showcasing raw human emotion and looks equally beautiful in all seasons! Check out the angry boy…one of the most famous of the park statues and you can rub his hand for good luck!

Kulturhuset

It’s a bar, it’s a cafe, it’s a cultural center and one of my favorite places to meet up with friends to enjoy a beer, game of shuffleboard, or study break. Kulturhuset is a great spot as it is filled with people from all walks of life and is conveniently located near the city center.

Sognsvann

Sognsvann is the perfect place to unwind on a Sunday (when literally everything else in the city is closed). This lake is only 25 minutes train ride outside of the city center yet is one of the most peaceful spots I have ever been. If feeling adventurous, you can wander off the main loop of the lake and explore countless hiking trails or even make your own!

Norsk Folk Museum

The perfect spot to brush up on Norwegian history and learn a little more about how the country has its culture. This open air museum was first constructed in the late 1800’s when Norway was still in a union with Sweden and is the a beautiful collection of buildings from across the country.

Nobel Peace Center

Despite my short time in Oslo, this is one place that I bought a membership and it was ABSOLUTELY worthwhile! Oslo is home to the Nobel Peace Prize which is given out every year on the 10th of December (tonight!). This center pays tribute to previous winners and showcases the causes that they fought for. Currently, there are exhibits about climate change and sexual violence in war but soon there will be a new exhibit featuring the work of Abiy Ahmed and his work in Ethiopia.

Grefseskollen Restaurant and Hike

This place is great because depending on if you are up for a hike or just want to enjoy the views, you have options! On weekends a bus runs and takes patrons to the top of Grefsenkollen where there is a restaurant, cafe, and basement bar all with a fantastic view of the city. On warmer and week days, you can take the 20 minute hike up the hill which is also quite rewarding but definitely tiring on the legs. Regardless, the view is one you shouldn’t miss!

Oslo Opera House

Whether you are a fan of the arts or not, the Opera House is a staple in the city of Oslo. Sitting next to Aker Brygge, it looks as if it is melting into the Oslofjord, especially in the winter when it is surrounded by icy cold waters. There are constantly shows running which include ballet, opera, and other dance shows and are only $35 for students, a steal in a capital city!

Aker Brygge

The port near the Opera House and the main Oslo bus station has housed many fun activities on land and on the sea! From party boats to saunas and fjord swimming, this is one of my most memorable spots in Oslo

Nationaltheatret

Technically this is a location and a neighborhood and I certainly prefer the surroundings than the theater itself. Nearby you can find the Royal Palace, Storting (parliament) and shops. In the winter there is even a giant holiday market.

Kolsåstoppen

This is a more difficult hike and a bit further out of the city, around an hour, but absolutely worthwhile. When finally arriving at the top, you can actually feel the difference in temperature and can get a fantastic view of the entire city!

SALT

A sauna house and collection of cafes, SALT is the ideal place for an evening of music and interesting characters. When paying for entry to the sauna, you actually can go into four different saunas which hold anywhere from six to 150 people! Be sure to check out their weekend events which often host dj’s!

So there you have it…a collection of fantastic spots in Oslo! While there may not all pop up when you google “Things to do in Oslo”, I certainly hope you will add them to your list and you can understand a bit more of what the locals enjoy in this nature-loving and eclectic city.

#FollowCat

One unavoidable aspect of travel that has caused me some pre-trip worries (and general frustration, even back home) was navigation.

This may sound silly because our generation is fully equipped with technology to give directions and even real-time traffic updates but nonetheless it has always something that has frustrated me.

Surprisingly, when I arrived to Oslo this concern quickly disappeared. Not only was I able to understand the Ruter app which give in-depth information about public transport routes, I found at times I didn’t even need the directions at all!

During the first few weeks in Oslo, when the honeymoon phase was in full swing, my friends and I were eager to explore every inch of the city to better understand our new home. The biggest challenge was the one person always had to be a designated navigator otherwise our group was sure to stray away from the path. For some reason, I volunteered to be navigator (what better way to improve than be forced to learn, right?) and the joke #FollowCat formed.

Since my friends were enjoying being able to follow someone who seemingly had it all under control, it became common to say that we would just “follow Cat” to our next adventure destination. It even became a hashtag that we started to use on Instagram as a joke among the group of us. I will also admit I have a tendency to be a planner so it was second-nature for me to search up cool places to visit and simply pitch them to my friends as group activities.

From the food-filled Mathallen to the waters in Aker Brygge and Huk beach, my friends would chat and joke away as I learned the city through navigating. It may sound like a chore but honestly I am so glad that I was given the responsibility of getting our friends to new places because it helped me to gain a better sense of direction while making fun memories!

Now that I have learned how to be better oriented in Norway, I have even been able to bring these skills to other trips.

Student tip: Searching up a city’s local transportation app has been incredibly useful when visiting a new place and helps me to save money and waste by using an app rather than buying transport cards.

I think the main reason why I have been able to improve my skills is that in the past I have been able to blindly travel to places based on memorizing a route. In Oslo, I have been intentionally learning my surroundings as it is cool and new which has helped me to understand how public transport works. Gaining confidence in my navigation skills has helped me to grow on this trip and feel that I can achieve anything I set my mind to!

While many other European countries might be known for being stylish and colorful, I think it is fair to say that Norwegians lean more on the side of functional fashion. With October temperatures consistently in the single digits (at least for Celsius), it is imperative that a Norwegian dresses warm and with lots of layers in order to make the most of the day.

It is also starting to hit me that mid-October marks the half-way point for my study abroad experience in Oslo! Crazy to think how rapidly a city can feel like home. Having spent over two months in this city, it is also quite clear that I have had to do some clothes shopping in order to have a wardrobe that can withstand the chilly Norwegian nights, and days.

Back home in Michigan, I have always considered myself to be a lover of dresses, floral prints, and colorful fabrics but it has been interesting to see how my style is changing by being exposed Scandinavian style.

First of all, I would also like to point out that one of the values in Norway and in many Nordic countries in general is being able to conform. While individuals are certainly free to speak their minds and share ideas, Norwegians are known to actively try to blend into the crowd for the better and their style reflects that!

Minimalist and functional clothing certainly seem to be popular and there are several go-to outfits that will always be acceptable here in Oslo. The few staple items that I have noticed when admiring Oslo street style as well as my own personal wardrobe have included the following:

Neutral Sweaters

Black, brown, beige, grey, cream, and pastel sweaters are all the rage here. Walk down shopping streets near the Stortinget and it is clear that sweaters are an essential item! Nearly everyone wears them as a solo item or combined with a button up underneath (which looks extra classy).

Trousers

I find it funny that nearly everyone here wear trousers or nice jeans daily in this city. Back home, when I wear cloth pants to class I am often asked if I have an interview to attend or am going to work. In Michigan, my peers find it hard to fathom why I would pass up the opportunity to wear leggings and sweatpants to class (which I have NEVER found to be attractive or comfortable) but in Norway this style is totally normal.

Black Straight Skirt with Black Tights

This is one style that I am definitely a supporter of because back home I love to wear skirts and dresses but in Norway it is not always the most practical of outfits. Therefore, wearing black tights with a skirt and dark sneakers still allows me to be feminine but keeps me relatively warm and my feet comfy.

White Sneakers

This is one trend that I honestly do not understand and I think spans beyond Norway and even Scandinavia. Countless students (including those on exchange) can be seen walking the school with thick soled sneakers that are bright white. The main reason why this style choice is so perplexing to me is that Oslo is a pretty rainy city and you know what rain makes? Puddles…LOTS of puddles! Personally, I have struggled to keep my dark green sneakers clean and have sadly had to keep my yellow Allbirds on the shelf in order to preserve their beautiful yellow glow. I could only imagine the stress I would be battling daily if I was wearing bright white trainers!

Umbrella

This is a must-have item if you want your hair and clothing to stay dry! It rains nearly every day here for at least an hour which means forgetting your umbrella when leaving the house is one of the darkest tragedies.

A Heavy Duty Scarf

This is one of the first items I bought for myself in the fall and I wear it DAILY. Nothing makes life cozier than a soft scarf that keeps your neck warm and can become a blanket when studying in a coffee shop.

Wear Black. Seriously.

If you haven’t noticed a theme yet, Norwegians like the color black. I can’t speak for all other cultures but it does seem to be quite the trend with Europeans at large. In truth, I thought this color preference would bother me more but since black goes with EVERYTHING, it makes it easy to get ready for the day. At the same time, I still brought a ton of my colorful and flashy earrings from back home so I still try to add a little creativity to my attire.

Another thing that I have found interesting is that people don’t openly compliment one another very frequently. To compare, back home it is very common to speak up to a stranger to comment on the beauty of their hair or clothing but here people seem to be caught off guard if I take a moment to let someone know they look nice. I have two theories behind why compliments are less frequent here. The first is that Norwegians are shy and it is known that they are less open to speaking with strangers without reason. Not to say that complimenting isn’t a valid reason to speak to a stranger, but maybe its more difficult to step up and share a nice thought about a stranger when you would barely feel comfortable asking for directions. Second, if individuals tend to dress similarly here, maybe it is just harder to stand out and warrant a compliment? Norwegian men and women are some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen on the planet. Not kidding, many of them are tall, have attractive facial features, and work out regularly (hiking, skiing, etc.). If everyone here is so used to being beautiful and being exposed to beautiful people, maybe they don’t see the need to call it out. This might of course be a totally far-fetched idea but it’s certainly something I have noticed.

Though my closet is a bit less colorful and lot more warm, I am truly enjoying the exposure to Norwegian style and expect to bring many elements back home to Michigan in the spring!

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.