Studies | Calender / New student / Practical information

House country formalities-visa
Financing
Insurance
Getting Here
Staying Here
Cost of Living and Accommodation
Part-time employment
Banks
Driver’s licence
Culture
Libraries
Student Welfare
Student associations
International club and Pangaia
Tuition
Report
For further information

WELCOMING GUIDE FOR ERASMUS AND ERASMUS LINK STUDENTS SPRING 2007

 

Host Country Formalities - Visa  >> To top

Please note that If you are a students from the EU/EEA countries staying for more than three months you are required to apply for a residence permit from the Police Authorities. Students from EU/EEA countries planning to stay in Norway for a period of less than three months, and students from the other Nordic countries, do not need a residence permit.

Also please note that students from other countries need a visa and/or residence permit before departure. Students are advised to contact the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate General for information on the procedures.

Visa applications are available through your local Norwegian Embassy or Consulate.  More general information is available at www.udi.no.

 

Financing>> To top

Foreign students who have already been granted a permanent residence in Norway are eligible for financial assistance (loans and grants) from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (www.lanekassen.no). Applicants for political asylum awaiting a decision regarding residence permits are not entitled to loans and grants.

If you are not eligible for Norwegian government student loans or funds, you have to finance your stay in Norway from private funds. In order to get a residence permit as a foreign student in Norway you must guarantee that you have NOK 80.000 (approx € 10000) in a Norwegian bank in your name. This sum is to cover expences for room and board, books, supplies and personal expences. This is not required for applicants for studies within the framework of an EU exchange scheme. 

Insurance >> To top

All students from EU/EEA countries must bring a valid E111 / E128 certificate, obtainable in your own home countries, which entitles you to medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme. Please note that expenses related to dental care and illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.

Exchange students from other parts of the world apply for voluntary enrolment in the Norwegian National Health Scheme after arrival. You will get an application form from the International Office.

It is the student's own responsibility to make insurance arrangements for any accident, illness, injury, loss or damage to persons or property resulting from, or in any way connected with, during the study period in Norway.


Getting Here >> To top

Ørsta and Volda airport is the closest airport to our campuses, and there are flights daily from Bergen and Oslo. You may also fly to Ålesund www.sasbraathens.no or take the bus from Oslo or Bergen.

The most convenient way to travel to Volda is from the airport in Oslo (Gardermoen) www.nor-way.no. From there you will have several flights by Wideröe to Volda (Ørsta/Volda airport, Hovden) morning, midday, afternoon and evening, plus an express bus both in the daytime as well as over night (approx 10 hours). The bus is naturally the cheaper alternative.Holders of student identity cards are entitled to reduced fares on domestic flights. For discounts on international flights, special discount cards must be obtained from student travel agencies like Kilroy Travels, STA Travel or others.

Students are requested to send exact time of arrival to the International Office so that they can be met and shown the way to their accommodation.

Staying Here >> To top

Municipal Registration
If you plan to study in Norway for more than six months you have to register at the local Registration Office (Folkeregisteret) within eight days of arrival in Norway.

The address is:
Søre Sunnmøre likningskontor og folkeregister
Hamnegaten 3b

6000 Voldar
Tlf: 70 07 42 60

Bring your residence permit and valid identification (preferable passport). You will be requested to fill in a form with name, address etc. to get a personal identificaion number in the national registry. This will take approximately 2-3 weeks.

Climate
Norway's climate is less severe than you might expect from its geographical location. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, most of Norway falls within the temperate region. However the climate varies considerably from coastal to inland areas. The coastal regions have a climate with relatively mild winters (7 to -4 degrees centigrade) and cool summers (12 to 20 degrees centigrade). Inland areas have a continental climate with cold winters (-10 to -15 degrees centigrade) and warm summers (15 to 25 degrees centigrade).

An interesting phenomenon in Norway is the seasonal change in the length of day and night. In midwinter, daylight lasts less than six hours in the southern part of the country, while in the far north darkness prevails. In midsummer, daylight takes over and there is no "real" night during June and July, even as far south as Trondheim.

Language
The native language is Norwegian. English is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools and most Norwegians, especially the younger ones, have a reasonably good command of this language. German and French are other common "third languages" at school. A foreigner may often face the problem that most Norwegians want to speak English to international students. Thus, to acquire a good grasp of Norwegian, a lot of initiative is required.

Unless a foreign applicant to a programme taught in the Norwegian language has a good knowledge of the Norwegian language, he or she must spend the first year following an intensive language programme. The student may also prove his or her knowledge of Norwegian by taking the language test called "Bergen-testen", while a place is reserved for them in their chosen department.

Volda University College offers full year course of Norwegian language for foreign students. We do also offer a short 2 credits introduction course for Erasmus and Erasmus Link students.

Cost of Living and Accommodation  >> To top

There are several student residences in Volda, all within walking distance to the campuses and service facilities. Each student residence offers furnished individual rooms with a telephone, cable TV access and free Internet access. 1-3 share the bathroom, 2-7 share the kitchen facilities. Hot meals and snacks can also be purchased on campus.

The rent is approximately NOK 2200 per month and you buy equipment (pots, pans, knives etc.) from us. You will have your own single room and share kitchen and bathroom with one or more Norwegian or foreign student. You do have to bring bed linen, a duvet or sleeping bag and towels, or you buy one upon arrival.

 

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The cost of living is high and international students will find that prices are very high in comparison with prices in most other countries. Accommodation, food and transport are all expensive, and it is estimated that you should have at least approximately NOK 6.000 (800 EUR) per month in order to cover all your expenses.

Recreation and entertainment are also expensive, but a student card entitles you to certain discounts on train fares, opera tickets, etc. You are advised to bring some Norwegian currency with you when you arrive in Norway. It is also advisable to bring the money in the form of traveller's cheques, or to have an international credit card.

Part-time employment  >> To top

Although foreign students may be granted work permits according to Norwegian Immigration Laws and University regulations, part-time work and holiday jobs is difficult to find. Therefore, students should not plan to partially fund their studies in Volda through paid part-time work. However, according to immigration legislation, foreign students may hold part-time positions of up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time positions between university semesters. A statement from your faculty/department confirming your student status and study progress must accompany your application for a work permit.

Banks  >> To top

In order to open a bank account in Norway you will need a Norwegian identity number. This should be applied for at the local Municipal Registration Office (Likningskontor og folkeregister) after arrival. Banking services, including exchange of foreign currency, are also offered at the post offices.

Driver’s licence >> To top

Students who stay in Norway less than one year, do not need a special driving licence. For those who intend to stay longer, an International driving licence is required. It is best to get this International Driver's Licence in your home country before you leave. Ask your local motoring association, or the authorities that issued your driver's licence, for further information.

Culture  >> To top

To come to Norway from a completely different culture is in itself a challenge, and it can be difficult to understand the Norwegian code of behaviour. Norwegians are, however, usually very good at answering direct questions. So it is up to you to make sure that you ask questions, not only about the language, but also about any cultural situation which may puzzle or confuse you.

At the beginning, most of you will be on the lookout to establish and expand your social network. The best way is to be outgoing and find opportunities of meeting people and participate in as many extra-curricular activities as you can. We have started an international club for both international and Norwegian students. It's great fun! We hope that you will participate! The club's slogan is: "Competence and friends for life!"

Foreigners often wonder about the relationship between men and women in Norway, and their current codes of conducts. Norwegian women are brought up in a society where there is a strong sense of equality and equal rights. They are also brought up to take responsibility for their actions, and to draw the lines themselves.

In Norway both sexes are accustomed to being together from early childhood. Friendly relationships between men and women are very common, and it is therefore quite natural for
Norwegian students of both sexes to live in mixed flats.

Religion

Almost 88 per cent of the Norwegians are members of the Norwegian State Lutheran Church. The two other religious groups are: Roman Catholics (1%) and Muslims (1%). In addition there are a Humanist organisation and a small Jewish community.

Although the majority are members of the State Church, this does not necessarily mean that all are practising their religion. Most Norwegians are nominal members, only occasionally attending church services.

There is full freedom to practice the religion of one's choice. However, many Norwegians consider religion a strictly private matter, and are thus not always prepared to discuss religion. Christian belief is nevertheless the basis of Norwegian law, Norwegian education and the standards of Norwegian public morality. It is mainly in the large cities that you will find synagogues, temples, catholic churches and mosques.


Libraries >> To top

Volda University College Library provides services for students and employees of the Colleges within the areas of studies at the College. 

Studentsamsipnaden for Sunnmøre (SfS), the Student Welfare Organisation >> To top

If you have decided to become a student in Volda the local welfare and service organization SfS exists as an independent company to make daily life better and easier for students at the University college of Volda or Ålesund.

The purpose for SfS is to attend to economical, cultural and social interests of the students. All students pay an obligatory student fee which each term is NOK 680, - and in return a wide range of services from SfS are provided. SFS's welfare services include housing, sport facilities, health refunds, psychologists, social counselling and kindergartens. Erasmus and Erasmus Link students are not to pay this fee.

 

SfS has their main office in Volda and a branch office in Ålesund. SfS are managing canteens and a pub/public house in connection with the member colleges of SfS. They finance and co-ordinate the cultural activities and social services offered by SfS in co-operation with student organisations.

The main office of SfS is located at Volda University college’s administration building, Berte Kanutte, ground floor.

Welfare offers bt SfS:

Student homes: 19 student homes with various housings.

Kindergarten: Accommodate 45 students' children 0-6 years of age in Volda.

Canteen: SfS manages the canteen in the administration building «Berte Kanutte» and a coffee bar in one of the other college buildings.

Public house: SfS manages the student’s public house, student house called “Kroa” in Volda. Here the Student Association of Volda arranges concerts, debates etc. The public house is also used by different kinds of student organisations.

Health fund: SfS offers their members different kinds of refunds for large expenses for different kinds of medical treatment that is not covered by government refunds.

Welfare fund: SfS offers economical support/funds for the student's social and cultural organisations.

Laundry: There are four laundries in the student homes in Volda.

Cabin: SfS offers the students a cabin in the mountains, 20 km from Volda. Can house 26 people.

As an exchange student at Volda University College you are automatically a member of SFS. Membership entails benefits of interest also for other guest students, e.g. social counselling and refund of self-cost for medical consultations. SFS administers the student hostels in Volda.

Student associations, social activities, sports >> To top

Student Organisation

The Student Organisation (STIV) represents all the 3000 students at Volda University College. Its focus is on students’ welfare and rights, culture and political issues as well as the overall quality of education.

At the beginning of the semester in August, the Student Organisation arranges a pre-session introductory week for new students. During these days new students attend various briefing meetings and register for classes. As a great deal of information vital to the international students is given during this week, it is essential that new students arrive in time to participate in the entire programme.

Students Activities

Volda University College Student Union opens its wide range of activities to all visiting students. Sports enthusiasts can choose from swimming, aerobics, handball, indoor bandy, basketball, volleyball, sailing, football, squash and weight training. Other Student Union Clubs cater for students with such a wide variety of interests as music, dance, photography, nature etc.

 

International club and Pangaia >> To top

The international club at Volda University College was "born" during the fall semester of 2005. The club has arranged club nights, dance shows, mountain trips etc. and most of the meetings are being held at "Rokken" - the student house. "Pangaia" is a new social meeting point at the ground floor of Berte Kanutte Building, a place where you can drop in to relax, make new friends and meet Alexandra, the international office trainee, or the international coordinators Cecilie, Howard, Ingun, Kjell or Thomas. In Pangaia you will also find different brochures, books, games to play etc. If you have any ideas, do not hesitate to contact International Office.

Activities arranged by the International Office at VUC

The International Office at VUC, in cooperation with the international club and students from the Student Parliament, will each semester arrange several activities for the international students at VUC. In the beginning of each semester there will be a welcomeparty for the international students. At Christmas we will make a "Christmas party", with Norwegian food for all international students. We will also arrange daytrips and excursions. All activities are free of charge.

 

Tuition  >> To top

Volda University College is a state university and has no tuition. All students are required to pay student fees of approximately NOK 1360 (about €160 at the date of this publication). Erasmus and Erasmus link students do not have to pay student fee.

 

Report  >> To top

Volda University College will encourage all international students to write an evaluation report and hand it in to the International Office. This is part of our quality system. 

 

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