Norway Day in My Life
Photo by Zoe Schruckmayr.
I have been on exchange abroad in Bergen, Norway studying comparative politics this semester. While this may not be typical JFAC content, I wanted to share a day in my life!
I chose the University of Bergen because of the amazing exchange agreement UNC’s Center for European Studies (CES) has with UiB’s Comparative Politics department (SAMPOL). As a global studies student with a concentration on Western Europe and the EU, the opportunity to take a semester of classes based solely on these topics has been very immersive. Also, the CES provided me with an incredibly generous living stipend, roundtrip airfare, and reimbursement for my visa fees which has been such an anxiety reliever when managing my finances!
While a typical DIML varies, I thought it would be fun to describe a day when I have class and am busy!
I live in student housing about 20 minutes outside the city by train. Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, but the train system has only two lines so it’s very easy to navigate! While I could have lived closer to the city, I decided against that because my housing community is where all the other international students live. This was such a great decision! In my apartment, I have six other flatmates. Coming from Spain, Hong Kong, France, Belgium, Kenya, and Alaska it’s been amazing to live with people who have such different lived experiences.
The Norwegian education system is very different compared to the U.S. A full course load at UNC equals two courses in Bergen, so I only have classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. While this may seem nice, my entire grade comes from the 10-hour final exam which is completely nerve-racking!
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I get to class around 10 for my two-hour lecture. Since class attendance is not mandatory, it is interesting to watch class sizes ebb and flow depending on the week. It is very typical to have a 15-minute break in the middle of class. At this time, many students go to the cafe and buy waffles with jam or bolle (buns) as a mid-lecture treat. They are so delicious!
The University is spread across part of the city and almost all academic buildings have cafes, so I typically wander around after class until I find an intriguing place! While Norway is an incredibly expensive country, student discounts are almost everywhere. I typically grab a coffee and sandwich and work for a while.
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, and one of my favorite pastimes is hiking! Although it is the rainiest city in Europe, I have learned to embrace the saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Since the seven mountains are accessible by public transit, there is no excuse to not be outside.
My favorite mountain to hike is Fløyen, and my investment in a good waterproof backpack makes it super easy to go straight from class to the trailhead. Norway has something called the right to roam which essentially means that it is completely legal to explore anywhere in the country on the condition you practice good environmental stewardship. I’ve stumbled on some amazing fjords, landscapes, and lakes because of this freedom!
Depending on the day, after my hike, I like to grab a hot dog from Trekroneren. They are super affordable and you can choose from many different meat options and toppings. My personal favorite is reindeer with fried onions and jam. I realize it may be a controversial order, but don’t knock it till you try it!
After a good dinner, I walk through the city and then take the train back to my apartment. I have recently learned to knit and that is my favorite thing to do in the evening.
Studying in Bergen has been an incredible experience and has really forced me to slow down and enjoy life. I believe the exchange agreement between CES and SAMPOL goes until 2026 and I would totally recommend Bergen for all nature lovers and people interested in Western Europe!