From downunder to outdoor activities at UiA

- It feels like an extended 6 months holiday to be here. Out of all the exchange students at UiA I think we were the most envied when we told the others about all the cool camps and fantastic excursions we were going on, Tom Duigan smiles.

Tom chose to take a semester at UiA as part of his degree of Human movement, outdoor education at the University of South Australia in Adelaide. The Australian has spent the last semester skiing, hiking, paddling, fishing and exploring all the different elements of Norwegian nature.

The University of South Australia is one of the universites the Faculty of Health and Sport at UiA collaborates with. The Department of Public Health, Sport and Nutrition at UiA offers Outdoor activities for exchange students taught in English. Tom’s co-students are of many different nationalities; German, Australian, English, Lithuanian and Hungarian.

Amazing experiences

- I tell my friends back home about the trips we go on and the experiences I have had here, and they are really jealous of me. What we do here at outdoor activities at UiA are adventures people would pay a lot of money to experience, he states.

When speaking about his favourite experiences Tom especially mentions his meeting with the Norwegian wintry conditions.

- We went to Tromsø and saw the northern lights and went husky sleighing. I am just lost for words when I try to explain it. In Hovden we saw herds of reindeer, such an amazing experience, he says eagerly.

One might wonder how an Australian more used to sea and surf deals with experiencing snow.

- I went to ski-camp before I came here just to learn the basic skills. I got recommended to do that by a previous exchange student. It took me some time to adapt to the cold. But I did not see it as a problem, it is more of a challenge, he explains.

Interaction with nature

- I learnt a lot about Norwegian "friluftsliv" (outdoor activities) that I am going to take with me home.The Norwegian concept of "friluftsliv" is a healthy way of living. There is a respect for nature that is so simple and rich. And there is no bad weather, only bad clothing, right? the Australian grins.

- What I really liked about this course is that we got to experience different seasons in nature. When I first arrived it was winter and it was all about the snow, igloos, skiing and so on. Then spring came and we have been hiking in the forest and have done water activities. It has been really varied.

Tom has not experienced many great differences in culture after arriving in Norway.

- I think we are quite similar, both Australians and Norwegians are laid back and easy going. We like to chill out and party. Most Norwegians are really welcoming, but there are some barriers. Norwegians are always polite, but it can sometimes be hard to interact, he explains.

The next stop for the adventurous Australian is to see more of both Norway and Europe.

Friends all over Europe

- I am going to Kjerag to get my photo taken on that famous rock and after that I am going to spend four or five days in Lofoten. I want to experience the midnight sun. After that I am going to Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Holland and England. One good thing about being an exchange students is the many friends and connections you make. I have made friends to stay with all over Europe. But I will be sad to leave this place though, he adds.

- I would not hesitate to recommend being an exchange student or being a student at outdoor activities. It is such and an experience and it is open for all to learn. Through all I have done here and all the new people I have met I have learnt a lot about myself.

To learn more about UiA study programmes taught in English look here.

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