Erasmus Experience in Kristiansand, Norway by Manon

How long did your scholarship last? How much financial aid do you receive?

I am staying in Kristiansand for a year, the Erasmus grant will pay about €2000.

What is student life like in Kristiansand?

It’s very homely, everyone knows each other, but it’s not ideal if you like to go on nights out. There is only one bar and the nightlife is quite pitiful.

Would you recommend the city and the university of Kristiansand to other students?

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Honestly, no, or maybe for a maximum stay of 6 months. The city is not very well situated in relation to the other “big” cities in Norway, being in the South ruins the Norwegian charm that you could discover.

How is the food in this country?

Very bad, there’s no fine gastronomy and the organic food sector is not very developed.

Did you have any difficulties finding an apartment at Kristiansand?

No, as the university has a very good system for allocating accommodation to Erasmus students.

What is the cost of living in Kristiansand?

It’s quite high, but less than in Oslo for example as it’s a smaller city.

Is it easy to understand the language? Have you been to any language classes organized by the university?

I loved learning Norwegian, it’s a language that is accessible and logical. The university arranged language lessons both with and without credits so that all international students could access them.

What is the most economical way to travel from your city to Kristiansand?

By plane.

Any advice to give to future students who will be leaving for Kristiansand soon?

Think carefully before coming to Kristiansand, it’s a small city with very few interesting things in terms of culture, student life and cuisine. I would recommend looking at other cities that are further North in the country as they are more unique and more interesting.

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