In my previous blog I wrote about the benefits which Norway offers. One of these are the surroundings and during the last couple of weeks I enjoyed it as much as I could. I spent a lot of days in the mountains, were I watched magnificent landscapes and beautiful nature. Sometimes we went for a hike to one of the mountains around Bergen, but I also participated in several weekend trips with other international students. Since the distances in Norway are large and the timetables of the public transport are quite irregular (especially in small villages), organizing a trip isn’t as easy as I thought. Almost all cities in Norway are located along the west coast, next to the sea. But in the middle of the country are a lot of interesting places, which offer glaciers, waterfalls, fjords and other beautiful environment. The best option is to hire a car for a couple of days, book a cabin on a camping and tour around the country. So this is what we did!
A few weeks ago we decided to go to the Hardangervidda. We stayed in a cabin on a camping and from there we hiked to the highest waterfall of Norway (Vøringfossen) and we made a hiking trip on the Hardangervidda (the biggest mountain plateau of in Europe). A week later we went to a place close to Stavanger, where we visited Preikestolen and Kjerag. Preikestolen is a popular attraction for people who visit Norway. It is a rock with a 25 meter squared plateau which is hanging for more than 600 meters above the fjord. Kjerag is a mountain which contains a very known tourist attraction at the top: Kjerag boulder. This is a stone wedged between two rock walls, and everybody wants to make a picture over here. It is quite particular to experience this kind of nature and also the views along the way are amazing! I can keep writing about all wonderful places in Norway, but I think that pictures speak louder than only words. I think I the beginning of the fall semester is the best period for trips in Norway, since the is it getting colder and the weather is getting worser by now. I would recommend people who are going to visit Norway: enjoy as much as you can in the first months of your exchange, since the weather is (relatively) good and you are not as busy with assignments and exams during that period.
Next to this, I am busy with lectures and assignments during the week. As I mentioned in my previous blog I will tell something about the student life and housing situation in Bergen. The first lectures started in the beginning of September. Every exchange student can choose among a list of courses (the offer of master courses is quite higher than bachelor courses) and needs to take 4 courses. I am attending three economic courses and the Norwegian language course. It is funny to learn the Norwegian language and since the language is quite similar to Dutch, German and English, it is not hard to learn. The economic courses I am attending are Quantitative Risk Management, Purchasing Strategy and Supply Management and Social Media Marketing Research. All these courses provide completely different economic insights, but I like the completely different view on economic subjects. For all of my courses I have to hand-in papers at particular times and finish my exams at the end of the semester. The way of teaching is quite similar as in Tilburg, sometimes a little bit more interactive.
Finally, I will write something about the housing situation. In Bergen exist an organization called SiB (Student in Bergen) which provides all kind of facilities for students, like housing, sports, health and counseling. Before I arrived in Bergen I had to apply for housing and that meant that I was guaranteed to get a room. The organization offers different rooms in different parts of the city. The most popular place to live is Hatleberg, this is a student accommodation close to the university. It exists of six buildings in which the student rooms are located. Fortunately, I got a room in this accommodation. I share an apartment with a German girl, we live on a floor with 10 other people and we share the kitchen with 5 of them. The conditions of the buildings are very good. If you have any problems with regard to your studies, health or housing, it is possible to contact SiB and they will help you as far as they can. I really appreciate the effort of this organization.
I hope you enjoyed reading my second blog. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Finally, I will write something about the housing situation. In Bergen exist an organization called SiB (Student in Bergen) which provides all kind of facilities for students, like housing, sports, health and counseling. Before I arrived in Bergen I had to apply for housing and that meant that I was guaranteed to get a room. The organization offers different rooms in different parts of the city. The most popular place to live is Hatleberg, this is a student accommodation close to the university. It exists of six buildings in which the student rooms are located. Fortunately, I got a room in this accommodation. I share an apartment with a German girl, we live on a floor with 10 other people and we share the kitchen with 5 of them. The conditions of the buildings are very good. If you have any problems with regard to your studies, health or housing, it is possible to contact SiB and they will help you as far as they can. I really appreciate the effort of this organization.
I hope you enjoyed reading my second blog. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!
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