Experience in Oslo, Norway by Tonje

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

For me, even though I'm from a different city, Oslo feels like home. It's not the busiest city in the world when it comes to traffic and amount of people, which makes it really comfortable to walk around in the centre or the parks. It's a very diverse city with lots of different kinds of people, so you can wear pretty much anything and still blend in. Norwegians are usually very service-minded people, even though the myths say otherwise (we like to stare at the ground), so as long as you just get eye contact you will most likely get a smile and an answer to your questions. Pretty much everyone speaks English, although the level may vary.

What is the student lifestyle like in Oslo?

This depends on what school you go to and what kind of friends you have. But for most people the student life in Oslo consists of going to the library all week to read, and then party the whole weekend.

How much does it cost to live in Oslo?

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world, but you can find good prices in student lodgings, living with other people. This could be down to about 300 euros (if you're lucky) and up.

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

Studentsamskipnaden i Oslo (SiO) is the main student lodging service in Oslo. They have a certain amount of rooms reserved for Erasmus and other foreign students, but you will have to apply early because they fill up quickly!

Other than that check out Hybel and Finn.

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

The Norwegian cuisine is built on traditions from hundreds of years back. You won't find this type of food in restaurants, but if a Norwegian friend asks you home to their mom's for fårikål or pinnekjøtt, accept!

What places would you recommend visiting in Oslo?

• The Opera House
• Vigelandsparken, a park full of naked statues in Frogner
• The Royal Palace
• Aker Brygge
• Karl Johan Street (main street with stores and cafés)
• The islands in the Oslo Fjord (take the boats with this mark # from Aker Brygge, goes with your bus card)

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

Eating out is expensive, so students usually go to Egon og Peppes Pizza, but you can also find other nice cheap cafés/restaurants. Tullin's Kafé is well known, and always packed with students. Remember, the kitchens close at ten or eleven, so don't save your dinner for midnight.

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

Compared to other metropolises Oslo might not have the most buzzing nightlife. Still there's a lot of fun to be had. Norwegians never go out sober, we have preparties (early! ) where we get as drunk as we can to avoid the steep prices of the bars, and around 23 everyone heads out. The bars close at around 3 am, so don't go out too late.

Grünerløkka is known to have a lot of good bars, but the nightlife is spread evenly around the whole city. There's something for everyone, whether you like sitting at the bar chatting with friends or prefer to lose control on the dancefloor.

Take the night bus home rather than a taxi. Taxis are expensive. BUT, take a taxi home, rather than walking alone!

What advice would you give future students heading to Oslo?

Don't be scared to talk to people. Norwegians may not always come to you first, but they rarely ignore you when you take the initiative. Unless you're trying to hit on them openly, that is, then they may be a bit more reserved.

Don't confine yourself to Oslo. Go traveling to the south or west coasts if you get a chance to, there are so many beautiful sites to visit!