Lillehammer, the Olympic City' 94 or the best Student City of '19?

I can only speak as a student in Lillehammer, not an international. But I was an international buddy so I have been part of their community. 

What is it like to live in Lillehammer? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Lillehammer is a city, or perhaps a town, with the perfect size. It's big enough so lots of things are going on, at the same time as it's small enough to be cozy and quiet. It has lots of cafes, bars, dance classes, places for work out, a mall, beaches, hiking area and so on!

What is the student lifestyle like in Lillehammer?

The Inland Norway University of Applied Science is great at organizing events for students. The canteen sometimes gives out free food and hot drinks, the student council have balloon drops with different goodies inside, student organizations like Start and Switch have different people coming in to talk about entrepreneurship and business. The cafe Studenten in the basement of the school have stand up, christmas concerts, beer pong tournaments, quiz, and so much more!
There's also a bar street with different bars which make a lot of student parties, both with and without costumes.
You can borrow your books at the library if you dont want to buy any ( if you're fast at least).

Some of the classes are with only internationals, like if you choose the Norwegian course, but there's also classes where you will join Norwegian students. 
The international office are great and prepare and take care of the students at their best efforts, which I know from personal experience as both a student abroad sent from this office, and then as a buddy helping the incoming students.

How much does it cost to live in Lillehammer?

It depends on you, what you choose. To rent a whole appartement alone can be between 700-1400 euros a month, but if you're sharing it can be from 250-500 depends on how many people are sharing the common area. It also depends if you choose one of the schools options or if you rent something in private.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Lillehammer? Is there any advice you can give?

The school have different kind of dorms for you to choose from, with anything from having your own bedroom and bathroom, but sharing kitchen with up to 9 people, or sharing a kitchen with 3 people. Or you can share a kitchen with 3 others, and bathroom with 1. There's also couples appartements which is a one bedroom appartement, or family appartements which have more bedrooms but are reserved for families. The different dorms are placed all over the city, you have Storhove which is right across the road from the school, Bakeriet in the middle of the city centre, Smestad and Lundebekken which is practicly placed in the middle between school and the city (about 2 km each way, but with good bus connections).
The school reserve room for international students in the dorms, because they usually get filled up every year.

If you want to rent something private you can use Facebook sites like "kjøpe/selges i Lillehammer" or www.finn.no.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

You should definitely try some local Norwegian food! Kjøttkaker( meat cakes, like big meatballs) with brown sause and boiled vegetables. Or bread with brown cheese!
Moose meat, you can get that for example in the burgers at Nikkers.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lillehammer?

Maihaugen, a museum which has buildings all the way back to year 1150 which a Norwegian stave church. You can go in the area for free, but to enter buildings you will have to pay an amount. They have a wonderful Christmas market there every Christmas.
Hafjell which is a ski resort with slopes is really near, and there is a bus there which stops all the way through Lillehammer.
Balbergkampen is a small hill which is great for hiking and it gives a great view over the city.
Europes most northern bob and luge track is in Lillehammer, where you can go super fast with different sledges, even on wheels in summer.
The family park Hunderfossen is a bus ride or a train stop away and have a lot of Norwegian culture with trolls and also some fun activities!
There is a nice beach and beach area with everything from volleyball to some work out equipments there.
It's a mall there.
The skijump from 94' is a nice attraction, where people go up for exercise and a nice view as it is places "on top" of Lillehammer.
The city of Hamar is near by and there you have even more shopping possibilities and other activities.

Is it good to eat out in Lillehammer? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

You have great burgers at Nikkers, some are made of moose which you should definitely try!
Heim has great food and drinks.
Det lille pannekakehuset, great pancakes served with anything from berries and fruit to ice cream and chocolate. They also have great coffee and soups.

Is the nightlife good in Lillehammer? Where is good to go?

It's always a party going on in Lillehammer! Thursday and Saturday is usually the most crowded days out. It's a lot of bars and discos, both for people over 18 and over 20 (different limit based on alcohol prosentage sold).

What advice would you give future students heading to Lillehammer?

I would like to give a heads up at lest about the fact that its curtain times within you can by alcohol. We sell it in a special store called Vinmonopolet. it usually closes at 18.00 on Mon-Fri and 15.00 on Saturdays, and it's closed on Sundays. In regular stores you can only buy beer and low persentage things like cider and the sale of alcohol closes at 20.00 Mon-Fri and 18.00 on Saturdays, and it's closed on Sundays.
Normally most stores are closed on Sundays.
By befriending Norwegian students- or other Norwegians, you will have a better experience of the culture. Even though you will get a lot of great experiences through the international community, using the people who origins from the country can give you richer cultural exhange. 
ALSO: BRING A THICK JACKET. Winters can get cold :)