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Reflecting on my year in Bergen
August 1st 2022. It’s exactly a year to the day since I moved to Norway, or the quarantine hotel in Bergen, at least. And what an incredible 10 months it was. I threw myself into Norwegian life, making the most of the ample opportunities on offer. You can read about some of these incredible experiences in my previous blog posts! However, if I could offer one piece of advice to myself one year ago today, and to anyone about to embark on a year abroad themselves, it would be that it’s ok to go home during your year abroad… Indeed, throughout the year, I felt that there was an immense…
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Happy Birthday Norway!
Brazilians have their carnival, the Irish Saint Patrick’s Day. Norway’s answer? On 17 May, they celebrate the signing of the constitution in 1814. In Norway, Constitution Day is HUGE. Indeed, since I arrived in Bergen in August, I have been told about this day so many times by excited and proud Norwegians, and have been looking forward to May 17th throughout the year.
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What Will I Miss Most About Norway?
As my 10 months in Norway is coming to an end, I can being to reflect on my year abroad experience and life in Bergen. Weep. There are SO MANY things I could add to this list but here is a handful.
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Diary Extract: Trolltunga
by Zoe Watson, University of Bergen Saturday 4th September 2021 My alarm goes off at 8:30am. Today is the day we go to Trolltunga! My flatmate, Charlotte, and I have some porridge together and finish making our food for the weekend. At 9am, armed with big rucksacks and excitement, we take a local bus to Bergen Bus Station. Here, we meet the rest of our group. It’s a very random assortment of people, including Myfi, a fellow Geographer at UOM, and her friends from Fantoft student housing. Together, we have people from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and France. We are also joined by Sarah (from Germany), who asked…
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Weekend Getaways, Norwegian Style!
The best part of my Year Abroad experience in Bergen has undoubtedly been the opportunity to take weekend trips. They are the perfect chance to explore Norway, try something new, and make memories to last a lifetime (cringe, I know, but true). Here are 5 trips I have taken, of varying budgets, and different styles.
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Academic Life At The University of Bergen
As a Geography student at the University of Bergen, I have noticed several differences in the academic culture, compared to in Manchester. The main takeaway I think is to be organised at the beginning of the semester, and thoroughly research the timetabling of each modules and the assessments required.
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5 things to do in Bergen (on a budget!)
By Zoe Watson, University of Bergen Treat yourself to at hot chocolate at Mount Ulriken
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Help! I don’t know which university to apply to!
Advice on choosing where to apply to, from a Human Geographer’s perspective. The IEP application can be an overwhelming and daunting process. The pressure to decide where to go, and where you will be happiest, can seem immense. What if I choose the ‘wrong’ place? What if I hate the city? What if there’s nothing to do I enjoy? All these thoughts were running through my head as I stared at the long list of partner universities on offer to me. As a Geography student, there was over 35 partner university to choose from, across approximately 10 countries, even with Australia and New Zealand off the list (thanks Covid). It…
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Ways to make your new room feel like home (on a budget)
By Zoe Watson (University of Bergen, Norway) Making your new room feel like home is important, especially if you are going to be living there for the best part of a year. My room at the University of Bergen’s student halls seemed bare and clinical, but within a few weeks it felt like home. Here are some ideas for how to decorate your new room, whilst in a foreign country and on a tight budget. Print photos of family and friends Pictures of your family and friends will comfort you when you’re having a down day and missing them, and will also brighten up the bare walls. They also make…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
