Erasmus Experience in Lillehammer, Norway by Jenny

Why did you choose to go to Lillehammer, Norway?

Mainly because of being so close to a ski resort :)
But I also liked to have a lot nature around and I enjoy to live in a rather smaller city.
Other than that the university had a good selection of courses.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

1 semester = 5 months
300€ per months

What is the student lifestyle like in Lillehammer?

The lifestyle is very active. Most of the students are involved in a sportive activity which is not difficult considering the options outside in nature (skiing, cycling, running) and the wide offer in the university.
There are quite a lot of interactions and there is basically nothing that doesn't exist.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Lillehammer to other students?

yes definitely

What is the food like?

Expensive ;)
I'd say it's typically European involving a lot of potatoes.
However, the range of veggies and fruits is quite small due to the fact that nothing grows here and most stuff is imported.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lillehammer?

Nope
There is student accommodation which is run by SINN.

How much does it cost to live in Lillehammer?

Depending on your style of living.
Student accommodations (e.g. single room, private bathroom, shared kitchen) start at approx. 420€.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Well, it all depends on your effort. Germans or Danish definitely benefit from their mother tongue and can guess a lot. But one does have to invest some time to start learning.
No, there is no language course offered by the school

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Lillehammer from your city?

No idea.

Most students flew to Oslo and took the train after.
I came here by car and benefited from the fact that I could pack a lot more stuff like food which in the end made it a little cheaper I guess.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Lillehammer?

There are only two nightclubs for students: Café Stift and Nikkers.
I prefer Café Stift because it is a little more classy.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Lillehammer?

Hmm, I haven't been eating out a lot because it's awfully expensive.
But for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, I can recommend "Café & Chocolateri".

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Don't miss out on the ski jumps and take a walk trough Birkebeineren. Maihaugen is also quite nice.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Lillehammer in the future?

Save enough money before you come here!
And don't be shocked by Norwegians not greeting you. People tend to be reserved and they need some weeks to get warm with strangers.