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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
