For most students, the start of the semester is an exciting but also overwhelming time. This is particularly true for those coming from outside Norway.
“My arrival was perfect. The buddies were very welcoming, picked us up, carried our luggage, and helped us get settled into our rooms,” says Hope Katushabe, exchange student from Uganda.
She is one of the 385 exchange students from 45 different countries that will be studying this semester at UiA.
In addition to the exchange students, there are 142 full degree students from 50 different countries. Among them, there are 75 master’s degree students, and 67 bachelor’s degree students.
These are record numbers for UiA.
Key numbers*
- UiA received 385 exchange students from 45 different countries. 67 will be studying in Grimstad and 318 in Kristiansand.
- In addition, UiA welcomed 142** full degree students from 50 different countries. 30 will be studying in Grimstad, and 112 in Kristiansand. 75 are master’s degree students, and 67 are bachelor’s degree students.
- Of the full degree students, 74 are from EU/EEA countries and 68 from non-EU/EEA countries.
- Of the non-EU/EEA group, 8 students pay full tuition and 9 have been granted scholarships (NORSTIP, NORPART and StAR).
*the total number of students may change until 1 September. These are the numbers at the start of the semester.
**all students at Norwegian institutions with citizenship other than Norway are reported to the Database for Statistics on Higher Education (DBH) as foreign students.
“I arrived earlier this week and have already been on many hikes in the area”, says Tomás Niedermeier, full degree student from Argentina studying at the bachelor’s programme in global development studies.
Niedermeier is looking forward to beginning his studies at UiA.
“I believe studying at a Norwegian university will be a positive experience, and this programme seemed just right for me,” Niedermeier says.
The first days
The students were first received by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) buddies on Arrival Day, who met the newcomers at the airport, train and bus stations, organised transportation and helped them find their accommodation.
“This provides reassurance to the students coming to a new place. It also helps by not overloading the public transport and creating long waiting lines there,” says Margrethe Aurora Seljenes, coordinator at the International Office at UiA.
On Orientation Day, students were welcomed by the International Office, Rector Sunniva Whittaker as well as the Student Organisation of Agder (STA), Skrivestua (The Writing Lounge), the student ombudsperson, ESN, SiA Housing and SiA Health and the student chaplain.
They were also provided with information about being a student at UiA and in Norway.
Exchange student Henriette Gerlach from Germany says she received well-structured and insightful information during her first days.
“I wanted to come to Norway, and UiA being a partner university of my home university, made the decision simple. Plus, I looked at photos online of Kristiansand and it seemed like a nice place to be,” says Gerlach.
During the weekend, students were greeted by Kristiansand and Grimstad municipalities at the city hall in both places.
“This is a great way for the students to get to know the city more, take part in local society and feel included,” says Seljenes.
Integration is key to a successful student experience
While the first weeks are typically very rich in social events and opportunities to meet peers, the following months can be more challenging in terms of integration.
“Making Norwegian friends and feeling like a part of the community is a goal for international students. This is also critical for building a safe learning environment and being able to have academic discussions with students of different opinions, perspectives and cultures,” says Seljenes.
She says that some students that have been here for a year or more have reported that they are experiencing many barriers in reaching this goal. This is the case in all of Norway, and not just at UiA
These topics are brought up by the welcoming committee during the first weeks at UiA.
“We prepare the students for some of the most common culture shocks and encourage international students to take the first step with Norwegians and not to automatically think that their reserved nature is a sign of rejection,” says Seljenes.
What can help with integration?
- Taking the initiative. Even though the English level in Norway is very high, many Norwegians are shy to speak it.
- Joining an activity and taking part in student politics.
- Learning the language. UiA offers language courses to students, with an expanded number of places in 2024. UiA has credited and non-credited courses.
- Meeting up at the Global Lounge. The international office wants to especially invite Norwegian students to come join the international students, get out of their comfort zone speaking English and expand their student experience.