Norwegians are well known for their high-quality education system

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Becky, I’m 21 years old. I come from a small town in England called Harrogate, not far from where I study in York. I’m currently in the 1^st semester of my 2^nd year studying ‘Education Studies with Special Educational Needs and Inclusion’ and whilst in Norway, I am following NORSEC (Norwegian Society Education and Culture).

Why did you choose Norway?

I chose to study in Norway because I hadn’t heard a lot about it previously and wanted to experience it for myself. Also, the landscapes look amazing and it would be great to travel around and hopefully see the Northern Lights! It is also a fantastic opportunity to experience an entirely new culture.

Norwegians are well known for their high-quality education system, so to see it first-hand would be great for me to bring back the experience for my own use! The emphasis that Norwegians put on outdoor education as part of their curriculum is also really interesting and something that I would like to learn more about.

How was your arrival? What was the first impression of the university?

My arrival was really easy, I managed to get in touch with students who had a connecting flight from Amsterdam and it made my journey a lot less stressful and was a fab way to meet new friends whilst we were all really excited! My first impressions were even better than I was expecting. I’d seen photos, but I didn’t expect it to be as nice as it was! The university accommodation is also brilliant because all the students have their own community, as we all live very close to each other next to campus.

What do you think about the quality of the university and its courses?

The lecturers are very knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic, which makes the lectures a lot more fun. The campus is great and very well-equipped for studying and there is always someone available to help if there are problems. The Global Lounge is also great if you have any issues and they keep very involved with the students here!

What do you like most in Kristiansand and why?

The city centre is really friendly with lots of little shops. You’re never far away from lakes and forests, so it’s really easy to go and relax, take hikes and spend time with friends. It’s also really easy to immerse yourself in the culture here, and everybody is so open to helping you out and answering any questions.

Have you planned any trips during your stay?

I have a number of trips planned with other international students during my visit in Norway. With the NORSEC course I have already visited Setesdal, Preikestolen and Grimstad. With 18 students, we also visited Trolltunga where we hiked for 12 hours (I was also full of cold which didn’t help!) but the views were amazing and definitely worth it! We are also planning a trip to see the Northern Lights at the beginning of December, which is definitely on the bucket list! As well as a weekend in Oslo and potentially Bergen.