Norwegian School of Management BI (NSM)

Alcoholic drinks are incredibly expensive in Norway, especially in bars (and they are uniquely rigid with age control) and that is why students often have their private parties at the student residences. But Grünerløkka is an international and intersting quarter in Oslo and one can find many an interesting night spot there.

It was well equipped; we had a gym, many laundries, many kindergarten, a post office and shops in the area of the student residences (Kringsjå Studentby consists of about 30 blocks with rooms and apartments solely for students). The price was good, especially for Norwegian standards! Kringsjå is at the northern end of Oslo and whithin a couple of minutes one can reach a very beautiful and popular lake in the bordering woodland. The public transport connections to go downtown are good (the T-bane (some kind of subway) goes there every 15 minutes and there is a near bus station. A good place for students!

All courses were taught in English and this was no problem for me because I had already completed many courses in English at my home university. The Norwegian courses offered at the Handelshøyskolen BI are for beginners. Also the "advanced" course! After three semseters of (not very intensely) studying Norwegian in Switzerland I had to recognize that I learnt definitely more by playing ice hockey on Frognerstadion with Norwegians. This was also the best way to meet Norwegians. I met my best Norwegian friends there and we always communicate in Norwegian (E-Mails, when visiting each other). I have reached a level where I can easely and fluently communicate with Norwgians and read Norwegian literature.

Save a lot, for a comfortable student life you need about 1150 Euros or 700 pounds.

Informations for travel destinations are available in local travel agencies. A mix of paying with credit cards (VISA is best, but especially in food stores they often take only Norwegian credit cards), e-banking and cash is advisable. I never had big problems in this beautiful country!