Hi! I’m Keri, a 3rd year oceanography student who studied abroad in Bergen.
I would definitely recommend completing a semester abroad as part of your studies. Here, I will outline some of my top tips and tricks from studying abroad this year.
Firstly, I moved to Bergen with a small group of other Southampton students. This definitely made the adjustment easier, and it was helpful to have a friend to navigate the grocery shops for the first time! In Bergen, there were a couple of weeks before classes began. Therefore, it was nice to have a group of people to go hiking with or explore the city centre.
Studying abroad allowed me to take a wider variety of modules that I couldn’t take back in Southampton. I studied some more geology and policy, as well as some more mathematical/engineering-based modules. Therefore, use this opportunity to do modules you cannot do back home, even better if they contain fieldwork elements. A field trip allows you to explore bits of the country that may be harder to access without a car and is also a cheap way to travel. My classes were more interactive than in Southampton, often requiring pre-work and more group activities.
Some of the personal challenges I faced during my semester abroad arose from my accommodation. I was given a studio apartment with a roommate, which included sharing a bunk bed! Luckily, my roommate was a nice person, so little conflict arose; however, I definitely have a newfound appreciation for personal space! If you know a roommate is not for you, in Bergen investigate the private accommodation options; however, be prepared to pay more than the subsidised student housing.
In addition, one of the other challenges I faced was that the society I wanted to join wasn’t accepting students staying for one semester. It is worth checking these things before departure so that you aren’t disappointed. On the other hand, I completed lots of hiking, including a weekend off-grid cabin trip where we encountered snowy mountains. Therefore, don’t be disheartened by setbacks. There will be plenty of other fun activities to get involved with.
In addition, if your host country is close to the UK, use friends and family visiting as an opportunity to break up your studies by being a tourist. In addition, plan local weekends away if you can to nearby cities, villages, and towns to fully explore the country you are living in.
I am very glad I went abroad and would recommend this to anyone who has the option. I take away memories, new friends, and a lovely knitted Norwegian woollen jumper!!
