3. Before leaving
Attend information meetings and pre-departure seminars
All students who have submitted an exchange application will be invited to a pre-departure seminar hosted by the staff at the International Office. This seminar will provide important information regarding the continuation of the application process and other relevant matters. Pre-departure seminars are generally held in late October or late March
Some students will also be invited to information meetings or preparation meetings specific to their study programmes or certain universities abroad. You will receive an invitation if such a meeting is relevant to you.
Send your application to the exchange institution
Remember to send your full application to the exchange institution in due time before deadlines. Some institutions have an early deadline, whereas others have a much later deadline. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary documents and to send the application in time.
Find accommodation
Some host universities guarantee housing, but many don't. Most universities will send you information about housing as part of the application information / process, whether they offer student housing themselves or not. Make sure to observe the application deadlines if you are offered the chance to apply for student housing through the host university.
Check the host university's website and use any relevant Facebook groups when looking for accommodation. There are also various housing agents / providers you can look into:
- Erasmusplay
- Erasmusu
- Uniplaces
- Spotahome
- Flatio
- Airbnb
Apply for accommodation well in advance of your exchange! Be prepared to lower your expectations regarding standard and location. It can often be easier to rent an available room in a shared apartment than to find an apartment with friends. Housing costs will often be higher than what you are used to from Kristiansand/Grimstad, especially in the USA, Australia and many European cities.
Check if you need additional vaccines
Some countries require you to be vaccinated against diseases that are not included in the Norwegian or other domestic vaccination programmes. You can find more information about this on the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's website.
The vaccination office in Kristiansand provides advice on vaccines and health offer vaccines before travelling abroad.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU's program for exchange within the EU and EEA. Participating in Erasmus+ offers many benefits:
- As an Erasmus student, you do not have to pay tuition fees
- You can receive an Erasmus grant in addition to loans and grants from Lånekassen or other sources
- You can receive a grant for both internships / placements and for studies abroad
More information about Erasmus+ mobility from UiA
Apply for a visa
If you are going to study in a country that requires a visa, there are a few things you need to observe:
- Apply for a visa as soon as you have received the admission letter and the necessary visa documents from the exchange institution.
- Familiarise yourself with the website of the embassy of the country you are going to. Here you will find all relevant information about the visa and how to apply. Make sure to check the requirements that are specific for your citizenship.
- On our visa information web pages, you will also find useful advice about the application process.
- The visa application process can take a long time, so start as early as possible.
- Students going for an internship should check if there are health requirements associated with the visa application. It can take time to get an appointment for a health check, so start as early as possible.
- Ensure that you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of your stay abroad.
- Please note that visa fees are considerable for some countries and that the fees normally have to be paid in advance of your travels.
Insurance
When going on exchange / Study Abroad you must have travel insurance with health coverage tailored to your 'Student Abroad' experience. The insurance is mandatory, and you are responsible for obtaining your own 'Student Abroad' insurance. The insurance must be valid for the entire period you are staying outside of Norway.
Many insurance companies offer tailored Student Abroad insurance agreements. We recommend that you compare prices and coverage from several different providers before purchasing. If you are an international student in Norway on a temporary student permit, you may not be entitled to the same insurance policies as Norwegians or those with permanent residency. Do your research and ensure you buy a policy that will cover you in your destination.
Find useful information about travel insurance on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website (page available in Norwegian only).
UiA does not cover any financial losses you may incur that are not covered by the insurance. You must adhere to advice from Norwegian and local authorities throughout the entire exchange period.
Apply to Lånekassen
If you are eligible for Lånekassen support while studying in Norway, you may also be able to apply to Lånekassen and receive basic support and a travel grant. You may also receive financial support to cover any tuition fees. Use Lånekassen’s calculator to find out how much you can receive in loans and grants.
You can apply for support from Lånekassen after 15 May if you are going abroad in the autumn semester or for the full academic year, and after 15 November if you are going abroad in the spring semester.
Many universities and countries require documentation proving you can finance your studies and your living costs when applying for admission or a visa. A preliminary statement from Lånekassen about your entitlement to loans and grants will in most cases be sufficient documentation.
Book your travel
You are responsible for arranging your own travel to and from your study destination abroad. We recommend that you defer buying tickets until you have received confirmation that you have been offered a place at the university abroad.
Student contract for exchange
Before departure you must read and sign this student contract.
Accommodation at home
SiA Bolig tenants may sublet their accommodation while on exchange. More information about this can be found here. If you cancel your contract with SIA before going abroad and want to move back in after your exchange, the 'new international student housing guarantee' does not apply and you need to submit an ordinary application. We recommend that you contact SIA early, especially if you want a room in the autumn semester.
Do you rent your accommodation privately? If so, we recommend that you contact your landlord as soon as you know that you are going on an exchange abroad.