UiA welcomes over 500 international students this semester

Starting university brings a mix of anticipation and uncertainty for any student. For international students arriving in a new country, this experience can be both thrilling and challenging.

"I had a great arrival and got a lot of help from the buddies. They really made the transition smooth," says Enzo Andre, exchange student from France, who is studying political sciences at the University of Lille. 

He is one of the 379 exchange students from 46 different countries that will be studying this semester at UiA.

In addition to the exchange students, there are 126 full degree students from 50 different countries. Among them, there are 72 master's degree students, and 54 bachelor's degree students.

"I chose UiA primarily for the courses. They have subjects that aren't available at my home university, so I can expand my knowledge in areas I wouldn't otherwise have access to", says Estefania Baldeon Santos from Peru, who is taking her master's degree in international management in Germany.

"I was pleasantly surprised by UiA's modern facilities and by how nice the city of Kristiansand is", she adds.

Arrival and orientation

The students were first received by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) buddies on Arrival Day, who met the newcomers at the airport, train and bus stations, organised transportation and helped them find their accommodation.

“This provides reassurance to the students coming to a new place. It also helps by not overloading the public transport and creating long waiting lines there,” says Margrethe Aurora Seljenes, coordinator at the International Office at UiA. 

Watch the video below about two international students who have recently arrived in Southern Norway to start their studies. Credit: Christian Andreas Wulff

The buddy system has made a strong impression on the new arrivals.

"We loved the buddy concept and felt welcomed. We're excited to see what happens next," says Anna Kühnel from Germany.

"The buddies have been assisting us with everything. They even helped us with buying groceries and shopping for home supplies", Kühnel adds.

On Orientation Day, students were welcomed by the International Office, Rector Sunniva Whittaker as well as the Student Organisation of Agder (STA), Skrivestua (The Writing Lounge), the student ombudsperson, ESN, SiA Housing and SiA Health and the student chaplain.

They were also provided with information about being a student at UiA and in Norway.

Supporting the newcomers are also Global Lounge interns Somaiya Houge in Grimstad, and Antonina Wojtkowiak, in Kristiansand, who are also new to UiA.

"There's a lot to learn, but I'm starting to feel at home here," says Wojtkowiak. "We've been welcoming students and sharing important information, both on campus and through the Global Lounge's social media channels."

Building long-term connections

Among the new arrivals are also students who have chosen to pursue their entire degree at UiA.

“Some of the international students are our own international bachelor students who are continuing to a master's programme or coming from bachelor's programmes elsewhere in the country, but many are new to Norway, especially our new bachelor students.”, says Seljenes.

Mihály Balázs Bodnár, from Hungary, and Max Nordbø, from Poland, are both starting at the three-year bachelor's programme in Global Development Studies.

"I chose Norway because the study programme looked interesting, there are no tuitions, and because of Norway's 'good vibes'," says Bodnár.

Nordbø, who is half Norwegian and often visited the country during the summer, found the transition easier than expected.

"I was expecting some challenges, but so far nothing has happened", he says.

Integration is key 

While the first weeks are typically very rich in social events and opportunities to meet peers, the following months can be more challenging in terms of integration.

“Making Norwegian friends and feeling like a part of the community is a goal for international students. This is also critical for building a safe learning environment and being able to have academic discussions with students of different opinions, perspectives and cultures,” says Seljenes.

She says some students that have been here for a year or more have reported that they are experiencing many barriers in reaching this goal. This is the case in all of Norway, and not just at UiA.

These topics are brought up by the welcoming committee during the first weeks at UiA.

“We prepare the students for some of the most common culture shocks and encourage international students to take the first step with Norwegians and not to automatically think that their reserved nature is a sign of rejection,” says Seljenes.

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