Details

• Norway
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Ih you arrived here this is good, because I would say reading the exchange reports helped me a lot when deciding where I wanted to go. In general every step of the application is explained well. Just read all the infos you get and everything should be fine

2. Accommodation

BI offers every international student a guaranteed place in student housing, which makes the whole process quite straightforward. However, there are several housing providers to choose from. Most of my friends applied through SiO or BSN. The application process was very easy and started around February. Once you decide on a provider, you apply directly through them. In my case, I was able to rank different locations and room categories. In May, I received my final offer, which luckily was my first choice. I lived in Bjølsen, which is the largest housing complex operated by SiO. I chose a shared flat where I had my own room and private bathroom but shared the kitchen. Overall, I liked this setup because the kitchen was not directly in my room. However, the downside was that the shared kitchen was often quite dirty. My roommates, who were mostly international students as well, were not very open or communicative, so the living situation was not ideal, but still acceptable. At Bjølsen, SiO offers both the room category I had and options with a private kitchen. Some of my friends lived in Stensberggata, another SiO residence. The location there is very nice, as it is closer to the city center while still only about 15 minutes away from the university. BSN is another student housing provider that exclusively accepts BI students and is therefore located even closer to campus than Bjølsen. At BSN, you can only choose a shared flat with one other person, meaning you share both the kitchen and the bathroom. The rooms there seemed slightly bigger and more modern than those at SiO. Another advantage is that the kitchen is fully furnished, and towels and bed sheets are provided. At SiO, you generally have to buy these items yourself—unless you move into a shared kitchen where previous tenants may have left some supplies. In terms of safety, I never had any issues. I could walk to the university in about 10 minutes or take the bus if I wanted to be even faster. To get to the city, buses 37 and 54 run frequently and take you to most places quickly and conveniently.

3. Academic life at host university

BI is a very modern university with an open campus that offers many different spaces for studying and working. There are plenty of opportunities to learn both individually and in groups. The library is particularly nice and cozy, although it takes some getting used to the fact that talking is largely allowed there. As a result, the learning atmosphere is quite different from libraries such as the WU library. However, if you need a quiet place to study, you can still find silent areas. In terms of academic content, the courses were quite similar to those at WU. For most classes, there was no mandatory attendance, which gave students a lot of flexibility. Which was amazing to travel a bit at the beginning of the exchange. In my case, most of my courses ended with a final exam that counted for 100% of the grade. However, this was rather the exception, most of my friends had courses with several assignments throughout the semester and only rarely a single large final exam. Overall, the teaching style at BI felt open and interactive. Many professors encouraged direct exchange with students and actively valued participation and discussion during class.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Oslo is very well developed and includes buses, metro lines, and trams. You can reach almost all parts of the city easily, and travel times are usually under 30 minutes. Overall, Oslo feels like a very safe city. While there are a few less pleasant areas in neighborhoods such as Grønland, I personally never felt unsafe. Since many students live in student housing, you are also rarely alone when walking home, even later in the evening. In terms of social and leisure activities, there is a lot to do, especially during the summer. We spent a lot of time outdoors, going swimming, visiting saunas, or doing small hikes in and around the city. In winter, we naturally spent more time indoors, going to cafés and museums, which was also very cozy and enjoyable. At the beginning of the semester, there is an organized introduction week with many events such as concerts, a fjord cruise, and picnics. Some of these activities can be quite expensive, but it was still nice to experience parts of the program. I would definitely recommend becoming a member of BISO (the student organization). The membership is a one-time fee of around €30–40, but you get discounts during the introduction week, and BISO also offers a free lunch once a month. Additionally, the university itself provides small perks for students, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is free coffee and chocolate buns in the student bar KROA. For sports, SiO offers a gym directly on campus, which is reasonably priced and has a good range of courses. There are also several other SiO gym locations across the city that students can use. Besides that, it is possible to join the university’s sports teams, although I personally did not take part in those.

6. Testimonial

Overall, my time in Oslo was incredibly positive, and I would recommend an exchange there without hesitation. Although I was unsure at first whether Oslo was the right choice for me, those doubts disappeared very quickly. From the first day on, I felt at home, met many kind and interesting people, and came to really appreciate the city and its atmosphere. Living and studying in Norway was a unique experience. The country offers stunning nature, and I made the most of the opportunity to explore it, especially during the early weeks and the summer months, when traveling fits very well alongside university life. Trips to places like Bergen, the Geirangerfjord, and the Lofoten Islands were among the highlights of my exchange and made my stay even more memorable. The darker winter months were challenging but every sunny day was celebrated. Oslo remains lively and enjoyable throughout the semester, with plenty of cafés, cultural activities, and social opportunities. Only towards the very end does it become noticeably darker, which coincided with the time I was preparing to leave anyway. Looking back, BI provided a great academic environment, and Norway proved to be an exceptionally comfortable and rewarding place to live. My main advice is to approach the experience with curiosity and openness, take advantage of all the opportunities offered, and fully immerse yourself in life abroad.