Norway: To Change a Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was manageable and proved to be both stimulating and engaging. However, the lack of information provided to the students initially proved for a slow start to the academic semester. It took several weeks to receive the books necessary to progress through the course material. However, the teaching staff that accompanied us from the University of North Dakota were phenomenal. They understood the unique experience we had been presented to us and worked with us to take full advantage of our time spent in Norway. I felt my time spent abroad furthered my education career more in five months than years of high school and a semester in college in North Dakota has managed to do.

On-site administration of your program

The American College of Norway staff could not have been more accommodating and helpful to myself. They were always clear in their communication, fair in their actions and were personally concerned for the students. In one situation, my fellow University of North Dakota students and I did not receive our visas until February. In the case of one classmate, they personally escorted him to an adjacent town to pick up the visa. In my own case, they provided train schedules, maps and exact instructions on the expected procedure. Krista, Susanna and Siv were always available to answer my own questions and assist me in making the most of my stay in Norway.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was a mystery up until the time I walked through the front door. UND assured us that living facilities would be arranged for us. However, we knew not if we would be provided with bed linens and cook ware. I had no idea what to expect. The dorms we lived in, were actually construction barracks rather; temporary housing assembled in large sections. We were infact given bedding and provided with all the tools that we needed to produce our own meals .This interim housing was not as nice as the newly renovated apartments now available to students, but the community kitchen and lounge areas fostered a community that was truly unique. The nearly forty residence functioned as a sort of large extended family. I have made some of my best friends i feel because of the living environment that we were provided with.

The food is self provided. We were required to do our own shopping and prepare our own meals. But with five grocers within a ten minute walk of the dorms, it was not a difficult task. And the quality of the food was fantastic. Never have I eaten such good food in my life and i found i enjoyed cooking for myself and with others. However, the prices on food are surprising. I had not expected just how expensive Norway would be.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I could could write a book detailing all the adventures and treasured memories I hold from my semester in Norway. I traveled in Norway, visiting Lille Hammer, Oslo and Fredrikstad in the east; Trondheim and Stavanger along the west coast; and Risør in the south. But I also spent a week in Germany, a weekend in Dublin, Ireland, a week on the southern coast of Spain and a week in Italy. Each trip is full of it's own experiences and stories. However, Syttende Mai was one of my favorite cultural memories from Norway. The national spirit exhibited that day in Oslo will stay with me forever.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never felt I was in danger. But the key is to stay in a group. Even if one happens to be in a safe environment, being alone can create feeling os uncertainty and fear. Travel together.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans