My name is Max, I’m a 3rd year Marine Biology student who just completed a semester abroad at the university of Bergen. If you are on the fence about studying abroad, please go, you will not regret it. It was an unforgettable experience.
Bergen is the perfect choice for someone outdoorsy, also wanting a fun city experience. You could be in lectures in the morning and end up at the top of a wild mountain in the afternoon. Bergen has great transport links which allow you to visit so many cool places all across Norway.
Adjusting to life in Bergen was surprisingly easy. I moved into Fantoft student accommodation, which quickly became my home away from home. I shared a flat with 15 other flatmates, and the community vibe made meeting new people easy. The orientation week also had plenty of activities to help us settle in, from organised pub crawls to concerts with famous Norwegian artists, plus the weather was on our side all week.
 
One of the highlights of my semester was the outdoor adventures. When the weather was good in the first months, I spent as much time as I could fishing and exploring Bergen. A top tip would be to download the Hyre app, which lets you hire cars located all across the city for super cheap, especially when you split the costs with friends. I did a lot of exploring this way and most of the time the drive to our destination made the whole trip worth it.
A highlight of my semester was staying in the DNT cabins, which is a network of mountain cabins across Norway. Spending nights surrounded by mountains, lakes, and the company of good friends was unforgettable. These trips where an amazing way to see the beautiful landscapes Norway’s so famous for.
Bergen also offered some fantastic nightlife. Two of my favourite spots were, The Old Irish and Rommet. If you’re looking for a relaxed evening or a lively night with music and dancing, Bergen has plenty of options to offer.
Academically, studying at the University of Bergen was a new experience. My modules included BIO280, 291 and 203. Everyone speaks amazing English, and the teaching style was very similar to Southampton, so it was super easy to adapt to the new environment. A top tip would be to pick modules with no final exams, as you will inevitably end the semester much later than everyone else. Assignment based modules allowed for more time to explore, which at the end of the day is what most people want to be doing on their semester abroad.
While my semester was overwhelmingly positive, living in a new country always comes with small challenges. Bergen is known as the rainiest city in Europe and it sure did live up to it’s name. But as the Norwegians say, “there is nothing as bad weather, just bad clothing”, so make sure to pack some waterproofs. The food and alcohol prices also took some getting used to, so be ready to change some of your go to recipes.Â
Overall, my semester abroad was amazing, and I truly recommend it to everyone. I saw some beautiful landscapes and made friends for life.
Tips for Future Students
- Choose Fantoft accommodation: It’s social, convenient, and makes meeting people easy.
- Get outside: Bergen’s mountains and fjords are incredible. Hike, camp, fish, whatever floats your boat.
- Join the nightlife: Explore what the city has to offer and make sure to go to as many flat parties at Fantoft as you can.
- Make the most of your flatmates: Living with 16 people sounds intimidating, but it becomes a home you’ll always have around the world.
- Be open to adventures: Say yes to trips, activities, and new experiences. If you have free time use it.
- Don’t forget those waterproofs.