A report from Aylin Weiland

The University

I really liked the university. Compared to PH Steiermark, it is a very big university. Even though it is so big, all the rooms are well-marked, making it easy to find your way around. There is also an app where you can search for rooms, and it shows you the way. I mostly stayed in the same 2-3 buildings because our courses were always in the “Language Department” or the “Psychology Department.” Unfortunately, there were no Education courses in English, so I took two English courses and one Psychology course. The English courses were about English as a second language and how the English language has changed over time. The professors at the university were all very nice. In general, Norway has a very relaxed atmosphere, and you can feel this as a student. If you arrive late or miss a class, it is not a big problem because there is no attendance requirement. Sometimes, even the professor arrives a little late. In Tromsø, there is a rule: If the weather is nice, people go outside. So, when the sun is shining, you will not see many people at the university. The food at the university was always very varied and good. There was something for everyone. On Fridays, there were special food events, like “Waffle Friday” or “Burger Day.” 

Accommodation

Finding accommodation was a bit difficult. For the first three weeks, we stayed in different Airbnb’s and apartments. After that, we finally got a place in a student dorm. We were very happy to have a place to stay until December. At first, I shared my room with someone else. After two more weeks, I had the room to myself. The rooms have everything you need: a bed, a wardrobe, a shelf, and a desk. In the shared kitchen (for 6-12 people), everything was available. In Tromsø, you usually have to bring or buy everything yourself, but I was lucky that some previous residents left things behind, so we could use them. The location was also great. I lived in the north of the island. It was nice to take walks to the sea or a lake. The supermarket was not far away, and the university was only 15 minutes away. One important tip: Apply for accommodation early! I recommend applying for housing in February to avoid problems. You can always cancel later if needed. 

The City

I chose Tromsø because I liked the size of the city. It is small and easy to navigate. In the city center, you can find everything you need: the harbor, the smallest bar in the world, the library, the cinema, many small cafés, and much more. I really liked the city because I get overwhelmed in big cities. So, Tromsø was the perfect choice for me. The only public transport in Tromsø is the bus, but it works very well, and the bus drivers are super nice. If you are running late, they will wait for you. You can also explore Tromsø on foot. The city is very compact, so everything is close. If you walk across the bridge, you quickly reach the mainland, where the famous Arctic Cathedral is located. For people who prefer small cities, I can really recommend Tromsø. The people are very friendly, and life in Norway is something everyone should experience at least once. 

Personal Experience

I am so grateful that I had this experience. For me, it was the perfect decision. I have learned that you can achieve anything, no matter how difficult the path is. I gained important experiences and learned a lot that I would not have without studying abroad and living alone for a longer time. For my future as a teacher, I took away many positive lessons. In my career, I will face many challenges, but now I know that I can overcome them. This stay changed me as a person, but in a positive way. 

A small reminder: No matter how difficult things feel or how many obstacles you have to overcome, in the end, everything will be okay, and you can achieve anything!