How a weekend in Oslo warmed me to Bergen.
When I decided to visit Oslo, like any international, I was looking forward to the famous train ride. That is until I checked the prices and realised I would not be enjoying it after all. I figured out that I could save a whole 200 NOK by flying there and getting a night train back. Before moving to Norway that amount … Read More
Six indoor activities that will make you forget about the bad weather.
Bergen is known as one of the world’s most rainy cities and after indulging in an unusually long period of sunshine, it is common knowledge that the we must pay for it. But instead of being annoyed about the rain, distract yourself from the weather by spending time at one of the following indoor activities in Bergen: Bergen filmklubb Become … Read More
Last year, several tenants of Fantoft complained about bed bugs in their rooms. This year is no better.
– At first I thought it was my allergies, but then I researched a bit and my friends’ warnings were confirmed: bedbug bites. This happened to Italian exchange student Viola Grilli a month ago. She contacted her landlord, SiB, on a Friday, and was told they would tackle the issue on Monday. – I had to spend the weekend at … Read More
Both Norwegian and international students participated in the Women's March Bergen. Many expressed anger and concern, but also hope.
Women’s March Bergen took place last Saturday, with many students attending to take a stand against threats to Women’s Rights. Men, women and children also took part in the march, in support of those protesting in Washington D.C. What began as one march turned into a global protest with several million participating. The event in Bergen aimed to show solidarity … Read More
International students had four minutes to befriend both each other and locals at the International Days.
Tables set up the «date way», with one chair on each side, are placed all around in one of the rooms at Det Akademiske Kvarter, the student house in Bergen. After four minutes of talking, the students sitting in them switch seats to meet someone else. They are participating at a speed-friending-event, coordinated by Erasmus Student Networks, the Student parliament at the University of … Read More
419 international exchange students have now arrived in Bergen, ready for their semester or year abroad. We have talked to some of them about their first impressions of Bergen.
It’s only the first week of January, but the international students are already coming in great numbers to the University in Bergen (UiB). This semester, 419 students from 42 different countries have been admitted to the university. This is the highest amount of international students admitted in any spring semester ever. – The spring semester increase is especially positive because of … Read More
What is it about any brand other than FirstPrice that requires your left kidney and a virgin’s sacrifice to enjoy their products?
Norway must be the first country I encounter in which an app that weekly updates the supermarkets’ product offers (Mattilbud) is a survival tool. No, for real, your climbing boots might ensure a fun weekend, but it will all be for nothing if you don’t know your supermarket drills. My first supermarket trip in Bergen was a separate experience unto itself. Up until learning … Read More
Exploring the world-famous Sognefjord turned out to be a pricy, although beautiful, adventure.
Saturday morning, 7 am, and we’re on our way to the city center to board the express ferry, which takes us to Flåm, along the beautiful Sognefjord. A comfy fjord cruise The five hour boat trip is the first part of the «Sognefjord in a nutshell» tour we booked. 1610 NOK, quite an amount for an international student in Norway. … Read More
A tricky night for the internationals spent under the stars in sleeping bags on a beach an hour outside Bergen.
«Come to help us build and sleep in a big tent and have a feast by the bonfire», wrote the BSI in the invitation to their Strandcamping event. In a country filled with dramatic mountains and bipolar weather conditions, sometimes a beach trip is just what you need. However, little does the medium reader’s mental image of sandy shores in … Read More
Hiking 13 kilometers up and down, while jumping over mud puddles, does take some time and energy.
It is Monday, the 1st of May. Bergen is indulging in the longest period of sun and relatively high temperatures since our arrival in January. Nice weather and a public holiday – perfect for a longer hike without even thinking about bringing those snow shoes. Today’s choice is Vidden, a 13 kilometer hike starting from Ulriken, passing over Rundemannen and … Read More