– I was under the impression that I was going to have a single apartment. That changed when I entered the room, says Ethiopian exchange student Abiyot Dagne Belay about the day he arrived at Fantoft student housing. Belay had made the long trip from Ethiopia that very day, and was looking forward to relaxing in his room after the … Read More

We at Studvest, the student newspaper in Bergen, wish you the warmest of welcomes to Bergen! You are probably starting to grow tired of advice on how to make the most of your stay in Bergen. But stay with us, as we think that our advice might just differ from what you have heard from principals, professors and coordinators this … Read More

Studying one semester abroad ought to be one of the best times of your life. It is all about meeting new people and stepping out of your comfort zone. But to what extent is it possible to completely let yourself go while your partner at home is desperately waiting for your return? The Strength of True Love Vilma Jeskanen is … Read More

As you will no doubt realise, sunny days in Bergen are rare, and certainly not to be wasted. Be sure to drop all responsibilities immediately and head into the warm bliss. But wait – you are so used to the rain you realise you don’t know how to spend these precious days. What exactly is there to do other than … Read More

It’s no secret: the SiB website and the constant construction at Fantoft foreshadow the introduction of a new building opposite blocks E-F-G. And the new building, called Fantoft TRE, will be needed: SiB only have appartements for approximately 15 per cent of the students in Bergen. In order to increase that number as much as possible, the rooms in Fantoft TRE will … Read More

It’s no secret that international students arrive in Bergen with high hopes of seeing the northern lights. Fantoft’s Facebook page is often brimming with rumours that the elusive lights can be spotted in Bergen that night, and frantic questions about where everyone should head. So how do you find the lights? Many students rely on apps to tell them when their … Read More

– Try everything for the first week, see what you like, get off the beaten track. This is how Natalie Unger, President of Erasmus Student Network Bergen (ESN), sees the student organizations’ experience in Bergen. She knows better than most: she’s been on Erasmus here before, and is now in Bergen on a permanent basis for her second bachelor. And what do … Read More

Exchange students in Bergen are always looking for ways to save money. Some have discovered a clever, but odd way of combating the steep prices in Norway. The practice of dumpster diving, raking through shops’ trash for useful items, is becoming increasingly popular among foreign students. People go alone, or in groups, several times a week to hunt for items … Read More

Homosexual, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people face different experiences across the globe. Exchange students who are LGBT appear to find Bergen welcoming. Kitty Flood, a Fine Art student from Wales, describes Bergen as laid-back, compared to her home that is «years behind». As a consequence, she was not worried when her girlfriend visited. – Back home I do not like … Read More