Oslo holds my heart Past Review
By Rachel M (University of Nevada, Reno) - abroad from 08/10/2018 to 12/21/2018 with
USAC Norway: Oslo - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
i learned to take chances. go out with people you barely know because they might end up becoming your best friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
there is much more individual study needed. most of my classes were only once a week and there are very few assignments so make sure that you keep up with course work and study often |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Marius was amazing and always so helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was much more of an apartment than i was expecting but i loved Kringsja and it was so central to everyone and everything |
| * Food: |
everything was super good, just really expensive. But they have great Asian cuisine |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
HIGHLY recommend getting involved in clubs or volunteering at the student cafe shop/pub. they are great ways to make friends, especially Norwegian friends |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didnt have any experience but I had friends who did and they said it was fast and easy |
| * Safety: |
Safest city I have ever been too |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
i loved oslo more than i thought possible. i met amazing people there and we became incredibly close. i have so many wonderful memories of that place and now i am working to live there forever |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Everything is more expensive there but fresh vegs and other stuff like that were cheaper to buy and you can stick to a budget if you try |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60-70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring more money than you think you need but dont let that stop you on experiencing things in this wonderful country |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
USAC recommended i take a class and it didnt disappoint! my language teacher was AMAZING and the people there were very nice when i would mess up but you dont need too because Norwegians speak GREAT english |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | NOR150 (30 credit class) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | use duolingo to help get a sense of the language because its kinda weird to hear or learn but also it really helped to volunteer in a cafe because i got to use what i learned there |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish i knew the living situations more but im not mad about my choice |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
