An encounter with Norwegian Culture and Nature

In the springsemester of 2024, Lili Katharina from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came to the University of Bergen to study comparative politics.

Even before she arrived, she had fallen in love with Bergen’s nature, culture, and study opportunities. Read about her semester at UiB and her encounter with Norwegian culture.

Why did you choose an exchange semester at UiB?

I chose to do an exchange semester at UiB because I wanted to study abroad in Europe, and I was interested in studying in a Scandinavian country because of the beautiful nature and academic opportunities. I chose UiB because of the university's ties to my home university, UNC Chapel Hill, specifically in my area of study, which is comparative politics/international relations. Before applying to this program, I researched the university and the city and fell in love with its natural beauty, its diverse culture, and the course opportunities.

Have you taken any exciting courses this semester?

I took two classes: SAMPOL226 and EUR105. Both classes challenged me to think of politics from a global perspective, as many of my classmates were other exchange students from a variety of countries. I enjoyed discussing issues relating to populism and the European Union (especially with the EU and the US presidential elections coming up). I actually enjoyed doing my readings ahead each lecture because they were extremely interesting and engaging – ranging from books and academic journal articles to recent news articles.

How is studying at UiB different from/similar to your home university?

Studying at UiB is different from my home university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill because I felt a lot more independent in my studies. I only had lectures 1-2 times per week, and they were a lot larger in student size than classes at UNC. I didn't have any other assignments other than my final examinations, which is also different from UNC, where I have tests or essays due throughout the semester. Studying at UiB is similar to UNC because you can find a lot of support from faculty members, teachers, and fellow students, as long as you're willing to reach out and be vulnerable.

How is student life/daily life in the city?

Student life is interesting in Bergen because I feel as though the culture is a lot more introverted than I am used to in the United States. I spent a lot of time trying to develop new hobbies in order to be comfortable spending more time alone. In the US, I am constantly spending time with friends as we have classes every day and live close to one another. In Bergen, however, you have to be a lot more independent and intentional in making plans with others and being okay with sometimes spending time on your own. I am a very social, so this was a shock to me at first, but I came to really enjoy developing new hobbies, such as hiking and spending time in nature. Bergen is a very fun city to explore and experience Norwegian culture.

What about culture, nature, excursions, travel, or other activities?

I was in Bergen for the 17th of May and I can confidently say it was probably one of the best days of my life. I enjoyed seeing Norwegians in their traditional outfits and watching the parades in the city center which featured groups from UiB, children from kindergartens across the area, and groups representing diverse ethnicities and nationalities. Norway is a very inclusive and diverse country, and it was wonderful to see how everyone is included in its national holiday. I went skiing in Voss, and using my friend's Norwegian phone number, was able to rent my ski equipment for free. Traveling in Norway can be expensive, but things like free ski equipment rentals/activities across the country are awesome perks that everyone should take advantage of. In Bergen, I enjoyed going to the fish market, exploring Bryggen, and eating traditional Norwegian food.

What has been the best part of your stay?

The best part of my stay was meeting other students. I met a great group of Norwegian girls who took me under their wing and helped me navigate cultural differences. They introduced me to the concept of the 17th of May and Norwegian taco nights.

Why would you recommend others to travel on an exchange to UiB?

I would recommend that you travel to Voss to go skiing and any Norwegian city that interests you. I also traveled to nearby countries, such as Denmark and Finland because I was close by!