What are the advantages?
First and foremost, the exchange students in NTNU will not have to pay tuition fees because the Norwegian government pays the tuition fees.? This is the great merit, which most universities in Northern Europe have in common.? Additionally, NTNU is well-equipped with the most advanced facilities: automated facilities, a safe security system and up-to-date sports facilities.? Take the sports facilities for example. There are enough facilities available to students who want to play soccer or practice yoga in their free time.? What surprised me most was that all students are offered free printing services.

What are the disadvantages?
Despite the fact that NTNU offers classes in English in many subjects,  there are still many other classes given in Norwegian only.  This was unfortunate for me, because most of the classes  I wanted to enroll in were usually in Norwegian.? It is a law in Europe to hold classes in native languages.? However, you don’t have to worry about communicating with Norwegians because, like other Europeans, their English is good.? Another problem is that the shops and buildings in Norway close early: most of them close at 7 p.m.?However, I gradually began to adjust to living in Norway.

Money does  matter!
People have to pay high prices for goods in Norway.? The cost of living is twice as much as in Korea.  Also, non-European exchange students must prove that they have enough money to live in the country: about 85,000kr a year.? On the other hand, my experience shows you can live on 5000kr a month (even though the Norway government said that 7000kr is the base monthly allowance).? Besides, students usually budget themselves by not dining out too often, as restaurants can be very expensive.?

Tips & Advice
When I decided to become an exchange student, I looked forward to improving my English and broadening my academic horizons.? However, as you know, the idea that I can improve my English skills by just living abroad proves to be a daydream.? Moreover, English is not the native language of Norway.  My own view of studying abroad is that it’s not important?to busy yourself with plenty of work or to be deeply troubled by employment.? The most important thing to pursue is to have an open mind and to set achievable goals.  Finally, try and overcome your cultural obstacles and seize the opportunity of living abroad in a beautiful country.?

Post Reporter Yun Seon-ju

Yun, Seon-ju  besensible@dongguk.edu

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