“I learned that people from all corners of the world have something to teach you” Alison’s Erasmus+ Experience in Norway

I fed reindeer at a Sámi camp! They were very relaxed and friendly

Alison Ryan undertook an Erasmus+ Study Abroad in Norway as part of her undergraduate degree at the National College of Art and Design.

I am in my final year of BA (Hons) Graphic Design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. I had the fantastic opportunity to go on an Erasmus+ mobility in my third year. I spent winter and spring in the beautiful coastal city of Bergen, Norway.

Why did you choose your host university?
I spent hours researching all the cities and universities on the Erasmus+ list, and Bergen stood out to me as a culturally rich city infused with nature. I come from a town in the rural west of Ireland, and while studying in Dublin, I often miss the peace and tranquility it offers. Hiking, countless walking trails and sea swimming were all only a short walk or bus ride from my student accommodation!

A freshly snow-covered street of Bergen

I studied Communication Design in KMD (Fakultet for Kunst, Musikk og Design). The facilities there were modern and impressive, with each student having their own spacious desk area and a large exhibition hall where we presented work multiple times.

I was also happy to learn from the international officer at my college that the course was taught through English. Although I did learn a little bit of Norwegian while I was there, I didn’t really experience any misunderstandings with language barriers as everyone had an impressive standard of English.

What motivated you to do it?
Stories from friends who had previously gone on Erasmus+ inspired me to go outside of my comfort zone and apply for the experience. I was so excited to live somewhere completely different and challenge myself to do something that was difficult at first but turned out to be so rewarding.

I was very nervous in the days leading up to my flight and I tried to prepare by buying new hiking boots and a quick sprint of YouTube lessons on the basics of the Norwegian language.

Describe a typical day on your Erasmus+ – how did it differ from being at home?
A typical day on my Erasmus+ changed from winter to summer, but every day I walked to either university or the gym and admired the weather, which ranged from thick, fluffy snow to bright sunshine (and a lot of rain too!)

Right: Bergen was drastically different in spring, with vibrant cherry blossoms all around
Left: Parkveien in the snow

Coming into the summer there was a hot spell where I would walk less than five minutes to the sea which flowed into a bay (like a salty lake). I read on the large public deck, went swimming in the cold water and spent the afternoon working on my design projects in the university overlooking the water.

I was so fortunate that my student accommodation was right around the corner from the university. This was a big change from the house I rented in Dublin where my daily commute was over an hour!

Bergen was a smaller city with guaranteed student accommodation for Erasmus+ students, and this really eased my stress when applying for a place to live.

How did you make friends and network?
Making friends and building relationships with the people around you is crucial as going abroad alone can make you feel quite isolated. I definitely felt this loneliness at the start of my experience.

Even though I was meeting lots of new people, it was an adjustment from my life back home and took time to really get to know people. A few months in, many of the Erasmus+ students in my group discussed how we unknowingly shared this experience at the beginning of the term!

I made friends from so many different countries, including my Norwegian classmates and roommates. It was really fun learning about their foods, traditions and language. One of my roommates kindly made me a playlist full of Norwegian songs called ‘How to be Norwegian’!

Snowy peaks beyond Ulriken

The soundtrack of your stay?
The soundtrack to my stay was a song I heard on my first night out in Bergen with my roommate: Ring Meg by Gabrielle!

How did you manage your money?
Norway has a higher cost of living which can be a deterrent for many Erasmus+ applicants. Although my grocery bill was higher than in Ireland, I found many ways to enjoy my life there on a budget. Being a student was a huge benefit, as I gained access to art galleries and some museums for free. The student gyms and pool had a lower fee for exchange students only studying for a term. Hikes, walking trails and even just walks around the city made for fun and inexpensive days out.

Left: Hiking on icy Mt Fløyen
Right: Sunset view of Bergen’s harbour from Mt Fløyen

What were the highlights of your Erasmus+ adventure?
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and its name means ‘mountain’. This was very apparent to me when I arrived there as the city sits in a valley surrounded by seven large peaks. During my travels there I saw the mountains change from snow-capped, jagged and rocky, to lush and green with deciduous trees. Witnessing this change in seasons was definitely a highlight.

The top of Løvstakken, one of the more challenging of the seven peaks around Bergen

One of my biggest fears before going on Erasmus+ was loneliness, but I was so lucky to develop great friendships. 17 May is Norwegian Independence Day, and one of my classmates invited us to his house for breakfast where we all brought food (and enjoyed strawberries in champagne!). We watched the lively parade through the town and the Norwegians wore traditional clothing called bunad. These dresses and suits change from region to region, and we saw not only the style of Bergen but also variations from regions across Norway.

The sunny 17 May parade (Independence Day)

My trip to Tromsø was one of the best experiences of my life. Tromsø is a city in the north of Norway, in the arctic circle. In this trip of a lifetime, I was lucky enough to see the northern lights for three nights!

Standing out in the cold for hours, with freezing toes and drinking tea to stay warm, we looked into the sky night after night eagerly anticipating the aurora borealis. We witnessed it flowing across the sky in a band of green and white (and on one occasion tinged with red). Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to observe this amazing phenomenon.

Watching the northern lights dance while standing on a frozen lake in Tromsø

On this trip I also learned about the indigenous people of the north: the Sámi people. I listened to their history of fascinating folklore and culture of reindeer herding and farming. Their unique language includes over 200 words to describe snow.

A breathtaking sunset in Tromsø

Has Erasmus+ changed you? What lessons and skills did you take home?
My Erasmus+ term pushed me out of my comfort zone, which has opened my eyes to so many unique opportunities.

I experienced a different teaching style and learned from great professors in the university. I loved getting to know people of different backgrounds and cultures, and sharing my experiences with others. I learned that people from all corners of the world have something to teach you.

I wrote something in my journal while I was there that I feel really rings true: people make a place. I lived in one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen, but still the friendships I made there were what made my experience the most worthwhile.

I would encourage anyone to apply for Erasmus+, because even if you are apprehensive, it is sure to be an adventure.

Standing in the valley of Voss – a short train journey from Bergen that winds through fjords

How would you sum up your Erasmus+ in a few words?
Unexpected, inspiring and unforgettable.

The incredible view of Bergen from Mt. Ulriken

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All photos are owned by Alison Ryan and reproduced here with permission.

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