Handbook for International Students What Is the Handbook?

Handbook for international students What is the Handbook?

This handbook is your guide to the Symbols used in the Handbook necessities and practicalities of being a What you need to do and how to do it student in Norway. It contains often depends on where you are from, information about necessary steps how long you will be staying in Norway to take before you leave home, upon and where you live. To make it easy for arrival and during your stay. You will you to recognize which information is also find practical information about meant for you, we have used symbols for living in Norway, such as living on a each group throughout the Handbook. budget, and how to get around.

The Handbook does not contain all the EU/EEA details you might need, but we always let you know which website you can visit to Non-EU/EEA learn more. N Nordic countries We have also listed useful addresses and contact details at the back so that you >33 Staying 3 months or less can easily look up where you need to go or who to contact. >33 Staying 3 months or more

6+ Staying more than 6 months

Whenever you see the symbols relevant to you, make sure you read the information carefully. If you have any feedback, send us an e-mail! [email protected]

2 Welcome to HiOA

A warm welcome to you as a student at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences!

Through a strong regional entrenchment, national ambitions, and an international orientation, HiOA has established itself as a modern, professionally and vocationally oriented educational institution in the greater metropolitan area of Oslo and Akershus.

We hope you will enjoy all parts of your stay with us. Our wish for you is that you will gain new knowledge, make new friends and bring back lifelong memories from your stay at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences.

Rector Curt Rice

3 Table of contents

Pre-arrival 5 At HiOA 21 ABC: 35 Useful 42 A practical addresses introduction to life in Norway

On arrival 11 During 29 Checklist 41 your stay

4 • Accepting the offer of admission • Applying for a student residence permit Pre-arrival • Applying for housing • Insurance

The following section explains the most important things you need to do before arriving at HiOA. For details, please visit our Pre-Arrival Guide: https://student.hioa.no/en/pre-arrival-guide

5 Pre-arrival

Accepting the offer of admission Applying for a visa or study permit

Norwegian immigration authorities (UDI) Your Admission Letter and other requires that you either register with the important documents are sent to you by police or apply for a study permit if you are e-mail. When you receive the documents, staying more than three months. What you it is important that you notify HiOA if apply for and how depends on how long you accept the offer of admission or not. you are staying and where you are from. Find the symbols relevant to you and Exchange students follow the instructions. Explanations for Please accept your place and notify us all the symbols are found on the first page of any special needs through the online of the Handbook. ‘Declaration of Acceptance’ form. The link to this form is found in your HiOA N Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and Finnish Admission letter. citizens do not need to apply for a residence permit or register with the police to live in Degree students Norway. Use Søknadsweb, the electronic application portal, to accept the offer of >33 Staying in Norway less than 3 months? admission. Citizens from countries with a visa requirement for entering Norway must All degree students need to bring apply for a visa. Check the Norwegian original certificates and diplomas when visa regulations on UDI’s website or coming to Norway. HiOA can ask you to contact the nearest Norwegian Embassy/ present originals after you have arrived Consulate to find out if you need a visa. If in Norway. If any of the documents you do, apply immediately after you have are incorrect, your admission will be received the Admission Letter. revoked. >33 Staying in Norway more than 3 months?

EU/EEA: Register with the police During the first two weeks of the semester, we offer you the chance to hand in your documents on campus so that we can submit them to the police for you.

6 Applying for a visa or a study permit

You will find more information about To receive this documentation, you this in the On arrival section. must transfer the amount to a Norwegian account that you own or to Non-EU/EEA: Residence permit for the SiO visa deposit account for Inter- students/study permit national Students. Financial Apply for a residence permit from your guarantees from a third party are not home country as soon as you get your accepted. Admission Letter and no later than 1 July. In addition, you may also need to How to use the SiO visa deposit apply for a visa depending on your account is described on the Residence nationality. Once your study permit is Permit and Visa website. granted, you can enter Norway. Visit UDI’s website for details about the If you want to bring your family to application and which documents to Norway, please be aware that family submit. immigration is a time-consuming process and may take more than one One of the documents you must submit year. More information on UDI’s when applying for a study permit is website. documentation proving that you have sufficient money to cover your stay in Useful links: Norway.

The amount UDI requires changes • Immigration: every year. Updated details can be https://student.hioa.no/en/immigration found on our Residence Permit and Visa website. You only need to • UDI’s website: document sufficient funds for your first www.udi.no/en year even if you are admitted to a study programme lasting longer, as study • UDI’s Online Application Portal permits are only granted for one year at https://selfservice.udi.no/ a time.

7 Pre-arrival

Housing

The Student Welfare Association (SiO) How to apply offers student housing. Their rooms are For step-by-step application instructions cheaper than what you will find in the and important housing advice, visit our private market. The single, furnished Accommodation website. After reading rooms come with basic furniture such this carefully you need to apply directly as a bed, desk, chair, bookshelf, table, through the SiO Housing website. wardrobe and a lamp. You bring or buy your own bed sheets, towels and kitchen Housing contract utensils. When you get an offer of accommodation, you will receive a HiOA will do everything possible to contract. Sign and return the contract to ensu re that you are given housing SiO as soon as possible to get it validated. through SiO. However, we cannot make any guarantees. If there are more inter- You can move in after your rental period national students than number of rooms starts, either 1st August or 1st January. available, we will provide you with Please notify SiO if you cannot move i nformation about housing in the private in within the first two weeks of your market. contract.

Housing application deadlines All questions regarding the application, Autumn: 31 May contract and accommodation must be Spring: 31 October directed to SiO through their online contact form. Prices and deposit Monthly rent starts at approximately NOK 3000, excluding electricity. Useful links: You must also pay a deposit equivalent to two months rent at the start of your rental period, before you get access to • Accommodation: your room. When you move out you get https://student.hioa.no/en/ the deposit back assuming that you accomodation-for-international- have complied with the terms of your students contract. • SiO Housing: www.sio.no/en/housing

8 9 Pre-arrival

Insurance

Make sure you have insurance against theft, loss and illness before you leave home.

Property and travel insurance We strongly advise you to buy travel insurance and to insure all valuables against theft before you leave for Norway. Travel insurance should cover you while you travel to Norway and in the beginning of your stay.

Health coverage

EEA/EU students NON-EU/EEA students Bring your European Health Insurance Card with you to Norway. The card enti- >33 If you are staying for 3 months or less, tles you to medical treatment in Norway. you must have health insurance from If you are not entitled to a European your home country. Health Insurance Card, you must have proof of other insurance covering medi- >33 If you are staying longer than 3 months, cal expenses. you can be covered by the public health care system in Norway. See the For further information about the card, On arrival section, under Health please contact the health or social security Insurance in Norway authorities in your home country.

10 • Practical arrival info • Money matters • Handing in documents to the police • Norwegian national On arrival identification number • Health insurance in Norway • Chest X-ray and TB-test

The On arrival section gives you the practical information you need when you arrive in Norway and an overview of what you need to do during the first few weeks. You can find more detailed information at: https://student.hioa.no/en/semester-start

11 On-arrival

Practical arrival information

When should I arrive? Where do I go next? The Norwegian academic year consists If you have been granted student hous- of two semesters. The autumn semester ing, check your housing contract to find lasts from mid-August to approximately the name and location of the residence mid-December and the spring semester you will be staying in and follow the from early January to the middle of i nstructions below. June. Getting to Åråsen Student Residence Courses start at different dates. In Students studying at Kjeller Campus your Admission Letter you will find will usually be housed at Åråsen Student information about when and where your Residence. courses start and where you are expected to meet. Each department will hold an To get there; take the train to Lillestrøm orientation meeting after arrival where Station. One of our staff members can meet you will receive specific information you at the station with your key card and relating to your courses and study take you to Åråsen. If you want us to meet programmes. you, send an e-mail to international@ hioa.no preferably no later than a few days Whether you are arriving in the spring or before arrival. autumn semester we advise you to arrive in time for HiOA Orientation Day. Getting to the SiO Customer Service Centre and student residences in Oslo Arriving at Oslo Airport Gardermoen Students studying at Pilestredet Ca mpus From the airport, take either the Airport will usually be housed in one of the Express train or a local train. The latter student residences in Oslo. The key card is the cheaper alternative. Both trains to your room can be picked up at the SiO offer student discounts with valid Centre. The SiO Centre address and student ID and both stop at Lillestrøm opening hours can be found on the SiO and Oslo Central Station. Which station Housing website under the menu option you need to get off at depends on where Moving in. you will be staying.

12 Practical arrival information

Aim to arrive in Oslo during SiO’s opening hours. If you arrive when they are closed, you should send them an e-mail and arrange an alternative way to pick up your key card. Please note that you will be charged for this service, and need to contact SiO no later than three working days before arrival in order to make arrangements. Remember to have your passport and your Admission Letter with you when picking up your key card.

To get to Oslo; take the train to Oslo Central Station. From there, the SiO Customer Service Centre and student residences are easily reached by tram, metro or bus.

To find your way to the SiO Customer Service Centre where you can pick up your key card, use the Ruter Travel Useful links: Planner and plan your route. • Ruter Travel Planner: www.ruter.no/en

• SiO Housing: www.sio.no/en/housing

13 On-arrival

Money matters

Make sure that you have a valid credit/ How to access funds transferred to the ATM card or cash in NOK when you SiO deposit account arrive. There are cash machines/ATMs If you deposited money in the SiO visa in the arrivals hall at the airport and at deposit account when you applied for a Oslo Central Station. visa/study permit, you can withdraw NOK 22 000 during the first two weeks Some students have experienced problems of the semester. If you are staying in with Maestro/EC-cards, so we recommend SiO accommodation, you can also use that you also bring a different type of card. the money you have transferred to pay your housing deposit and/or rent. Paying rent Information about this and how the SiO housing contracts usually run from remaining sum is transferred to you is 1 August or 1 January. Even if you move available on our website under in later, you have to pay rent for the Residence Permit and Visa for Non-EU/ whole month. Rent for the coming EEA Citizens. Information will also be month is always due on the first of that given on Orientation Day. month. SiO sends you an invoice in the middle of the month. When you pay, always use the account number and KID-number on the invoice. The KID-number lets SiO know whom the payment is from.

Contact SiO if you have • questions about your rent • difficulties with the payment • received information in Norwegian or that you otherwise do not understand

14 Handing in documents to the police

>33 All students staying more than three Late arrival EU/EEA students months must hand in documents to the If you arrive later in the semester, you police after arrival in Norway. How and will need to book an appointment in where you do this depends on where you UDI’s online application portal in order are from. to submit the necessary documents including your HiOA Admission letter. Nordic students are exempt from this • Students at Pilestredet Campus book requirement. an appointment with SUA (Service Centre for Foreign Workers) EU/EEA students • Students at Kjeller Campus book an During the first two weeks of the appointment with the Immigration semester, we offer you the chance to Office in Lillestrøm. hand in your documents on campus so that we can submit them to the police A registration certificate will be sent to for you. Deliver your documents to the your Norwegian address by post. Service Centre (Servicetorget) in Pilestredet 46 (08.00-15.00).

When the police receive your documents they will issue a registration certificate and send it to the International Office. When it reaches us, we will let you know when and where you can pick it up.

Which documents do I hand in? You will need to hand in copies of: • EU identity card or passport • Private health insurance or European Health Insurance Card • The email where it says that you have registered online with the police • Your admission letter • The form "Declaration of funds for EU/EEA citizens" (you can pick up a copy from the Service Centre) 15 On-arrival

Handing in documents to the police

Non-EU/EEA students Provided you arrive at the start of the semester, an appointment will be made for you with the UDI to allow you to complete your registration. Information about when and where, and which documentation is required will be sent to you by e-mail.

Make sure you bring the documents they require to the appointment.

When you register with them, the police will take your photo and fingerprints in order to make a residence card. The residence card is your proof that you have a residence permit in Norway and that you have the right to travel within the Schen-gen area. It comes in the shape of a credit card and is valid for the same period as your residence permit.

Always bring your residence card, as well Useful links: as your passport when you travel abroad from Norway. • UDI’s Online Application Portal The police will send you the card by post https://selfservice.udi.no/ approximately 10 working days after the registration.

We recommend that you give the police/ immigration office your full name as written in your passport and the HiOA Section for Internationalisation address. Also make a note of your address in Norway, including flat number. 16 Norwegian national identification number

6>3 All students staying more than six A Norwegian national identification months are required to register in The number is required to: National Registry. • Become a member of the Norwegian Health Insurance Scheme What do I do? • Register with a GP/ doctor You need to deliver a set of • Get a tax deduction card (mandatory if documents to The Service Centre for you plan to work as well as study) Foreign Workers (Skatt Øst) if you are • Open a bank account living in Oslo or Skatt Øst Lillestrøm if you are staying at Åråsen. When you have received your Norwegian national identification • Passport or other valid National ID number, please contact the card Information Centre at your Faculty so • Admission Letter that they can register it in the HiOA • Tenancy contract administration system. • Registration certificate if you are an EU/EEA citizen (certificate not required for Nordic citizens) • Residence card if you are a non-EU/ EEA citizen • Notification of Move to Norway from abroad document

A letter with your identification number will be sent to your Norwegian postal address approximately 4-6 weeks after you apply.

If you have a part-time job, this is also the place to get a tax card. Remember to bring your work contract. Find more information in the section During your stay, under Working in Norway

17 On-arrival

Health Insurance in Norway

The Norwegian National Insurance Non-EU/EEA students Scheme can cover medical treatment • Staying between 3 and 12 months: while you are in Norway, if you are Apply for membership in the staying more than three months and Norwegian National Insurance register with them. Scheme. Details about applying will be given You must however have private at the information meeting on insurance, such as travel insurance, Orientation Day. to cover: • Dental care • Staying in Norway 12 months or more: • Illness contracted before arrival You are automatically covered by • The time before you register as a the Norwegian National Insurance student at HiOA Scheme when you have registered • The time after you have completed both in the National Registry and as your studies at HiOA a student at HiOA. • Any time you travel abroad

If you are staying less than three Students from the Nordic countries N months, are not automatically covered Citizens of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, by the scheme, or for some other reason and Iceland automatically become do not register with the Norwegian members of the Insurance Scheme National Insurance Scheme you must when they register in The National have health insurance from your home Registry. country covering the entire period of your stay. EU/EEA students Citizens of EU/EEA countries are covered by either the European Health Insurance Card, or private insurance. More details in the Pre-arrival Guide, under Health coverage.

18 19 On-arrival

Chest X-ray and TB-test

>33 If you are staying in Norway for more than three months you need to take a chest X-ray and tuberculosis test within two weeks after arrival.

The examination and test is free of charge.

Does not apply to students from Western Europe, Poland, Hungary, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

How do I make an appointment? • Students at Pilestredet Campus Call the Division of Lung Disease at Ullevål Hospital: (+47) 22 11 99 30

• Students at Kjeller Campus The International coordinator at Kjeller will make the appointment for Useful links: you.

The address where the examinations • UDI’s Online Application Portal take place is listed in the Useful https://selfservice.udi.no/ addresses section. • Health issues and Remember to bring your passport or ID services card to your appointment. https://student.hioa.no/ en/health-insurance

20 • Orientation Day • Access to IT-services • Registration and semester fee At HiOA • Student welfare services • Social activities

The At HiOA section tells you which registrations you will need to complete, how you can access services, and about student life at your new cam-pus. Please find more detailed information on our Semester Start website: https://student.hioa.no/en/semester-start

21 At HiOA

Orientation Day Registration and semester fee

We advise all students to arrive in time Studentweb is our online student portal. for Orientation Day and the start of You use it to register for courses, find pay- Buddy Week. There will be an ment details, order transcripts of records, information meeting where you can update your address, and more. ask questions and spend some time with your new fellow students. Semester registration • Log on to Studentweb. Use the user- • Find details about the date and name and password created when you programme on our Semester Start activated your IT user account. website. • Choose ‘Semester registration’ and make sure you complete all the steps. Access to IT-services Information about how to log on and use Studentweb can be found on our All students get an IT- user account. The Student Registration at HiOA website. account gives you access to e-mail, the e-learning system Fronter, the wireless network on campus and more. Semester fee Full time degree students pay a You will receive an e-mail with details mandatory semester fee each necessary to activate your IT-account: semester. You will find the payment • PIN code d etails in Studentweb under • Student ID number/username ‘Payment’. • Student e-mail address Exchange students are exempt. For more information about your user account and our IT-services, see Student Deadlines for registration and payment: Registration at HiOA. AUTUMN: 1 September SPRING: 1 February If you have not received the e-mail with this information by the start of the se- Semester card mester, please contact The semester card proves that you have [email protected] successfully registered for the current semester, which means you have the right to study at HiOA, follow lectures and sit for examinations. 22 Registration and semester fee

When you have paid the semester fee (if applicable) and registered, you can either: • Order a paper version of the semester card through Studentweb • Download the student ID app on your smartphone

In order to prove that you are active student and receive student discount, you need to present either your student card and semester card, or the student ID app.

Student card All students at HiOA get a student card. It functions as a library card and access card to the buildings on campus. More details will be given on Orientation Day.

Read more in Student Registration at Useful links: HiOA. If you have questions, contact the Service Centre at your Campus. • Semester start: https://student.hioa.no/en/ semester-start • Student Registration at HiOA: https://student.hioa.no/en/ student-registration-hioa

23 At HiOA

Student welfare services at HiOA

The Student Welfare Organization As a part of the Church of Norway the SiO provides health services, housing, student chaplain invites students to wor- psychological and counselling services, ship at the Royal Palace Chapel. Once a runs the campus cafeterias, and offers month the service is in English, and the sports facilities at student friendly service is followed by a social coffee prices. In addition, The Section for hour. For contact details see Useful ad- Internationalisation hosts social dresses. activities and events and the Student Chaplain invites international students to Quiet rooms on campus conversation and a monthly event. HiOA If you feel the need to step back and has many on-campus facilities. take a break, you can use the quiet rooms at HiOA. The rooms are for Counselling services students who need to relax, sleep, pray Students can turn to SiO Counselling or meditate when they are on campus. for advice in personal, social or financial See the web-site listed in the Useful matters. They also deal with the addresses section for more details. concerns of international students. The service providers are bound by Sports confidentiality. As a student at HiOA, you can use HiOA gym facilities on campus, as well Health and dental services as the sports facilities organized by SiO. SiO has health services at Campus Blindern, City Centre, and at BI, HiOA gyms Nydalen. SiO’s department for dental There are two HiOA gyms on the care, called “Tannhelsetjenesten” is Pilestredet campus at Pilestredet 52 and situated at Campus Blindern only. More 35, and at Kjeller. details on the SiO Health website.

Student Chaplain The gyms in P52 and Kjeller are free of The student chaplain is available charge for international students. You for all HiOA students regardless of can collect your keycard to access the religious belief. Drop by or make an facilities at the information desk in appointment if you need someone to Pilestredet 52. talk to. The student chaplain is bound by confidentiality.

24 Student welfare services at HiOA Registration and semester fee

SiO sports facilities SiO maintains gyms and offers more than 70 different activities. Closest to the Pilestredet Campus is Athletica Centrum. SiO has no gym at Kjeller.

Oslo students’ sports club (OSI) OSI offers a wide selection of sports- and outdoor activities. Whatever your interests are, OSI is sure to have something that will suit most students. Joining a sports club is also a good way to integrate and meet Norwegian students. Check out the OSI brochure when you arrive in Oslo for a full list of clubs and activities.

Useful links:

• Student Life https://student.hioa.no/en/ social-activities

• SiO Health: www.sio.no/en/ health-services

• SiO Sports: www.sio.no/en/sports

25 At HiOA

Social activities

The Section for Internationalisation ar- Student organizations ranges activities and events throughout There are many student organizations at the year. The student organizations HiOA. We encourage you to get involved ISU and ESN also arrange activities for and take part! interna-tional students. You can find a full over-view on the Student Activities International Students Union (ISU) website, but here are some examples: ISU is an independent organization for international students, run by Buddy System international students. A board is Through the Buddy System you have elected at the start of each semester. the chance to meet other students and make new friends. All new students are European Students Network (ESN) assigned a group on Orientation Day, Erasmus Student Network is an interna- which is led by experienced students tional non-profit organisation, with 900 who are there to make sure you all get a sections in 40 countries. ESN Oslo aims, great start at HiOA. like other local ESN sections, to ensure that all international students in Oslo Social Events feel at home, have a great time, meet a All international students at HiOA, lot of new people, and get a good glimpse both at Kjeller and Pilestredet, of Norwegian student life and are welcome to take part in these Norwegian culture in general. events. In some cases it is necessary to sign up online before the event. See the The Student Parliament Facebook group for International The students’ supreme democratic body Students for updates. works on behalf of all students at HiOA. Their primary goal is to promote Language Tandem and Language Cafe students’ academic and social interests Language Tandem allows people with across HiOA. different native tongues to get together and teach each other their languages. You can practise Norwegian with a local student who can practise your language in return. You can sign up at the beginning of the semester.

26 Useful links:

• Social Activities https://student.hioa.no/en/social- activities • Student Associations https://student.hioa.no/en/ student-associations

27 At HiOA

28 • Working in Norway • Health services in Norway • Moving within or out of During Norway • How to renew your residence permit your stay • ABC to living in Norway

This section provides you with information about your stay in Norway: about working here, how our health services work and who to contact, things to consider when moving, how to renew your residence permit, and other practical information about living in Norway.

29 During your stay

Working in Norway

Many students work part time to help To apply, hand in the following docu- finance their studies. Even though we ments to your local Skatt Øst Office: cannot help you find a job, we can give • A completed “Application for tax you the information you need to work in deduction card for foreign citizens and Norway. others”- form (You can get the form at the Skatt Øst Office). Work permit • A valid passport. Other identity card With your first-time student residence approved as travel document within permit, you also get a part-time work the EU is also accepted for EEA/EU/ permit. The permit allows you to work Swiss nationals up to 20 hours per week and full time • Residence permit (Non EU/EEA) / during ordinary holidays. You can have registration certificate (EU/EEA) any kind of job, and you may have more • Your employment contract than one employer. • Your Norwegian ID-number. If you do not have one, ask Skatt Øst to request EU/EEA students are allowed to work as a D-number on your behalf. much as they want. However, we do not rec- • Information about how much you ommend working more than 20 hours per expect to earn in Norway and how week as you will need time for your studies. long you will stay

Tax Deduction Card The address of your local Skatt Øst Office If you work in Norway, you need to get is listed in the Useful addresses section. a Tax Deduction Card and submit it to your employer. The card shows how much tax your employer must deduct before paying your wages.

How to apply for a tax card You can only apply for a tax card after you get an employment contract.

30 Renewing your residence permit

Always make sure you have a valid When you submit the online applica- residence permit/ registration certificate. tion, you get a checklist stating which documents you need to submit. One of EU/EEA students the documents they request is a letter/ Check when your registration certificate statement from your educational institu- expires. If you need a renewal, contact tion. Please check our website Renewal • The police (Lillestrøm) or of Residence Permit for details on how to • The Service Centre for Foreign order this. Workers (Oslo) Doing fieldwork? Non-EU/EEA students If you plan to do fieldwork outside Three months before your study permit Norway, make sure the renewal is in expires, you must apply for a renewal place before you leave. State the duration and book an appointment to hand in of the fieldwork in your application. your supporting documents. Your appli- If the fieldwork lasts longer than six cation is not complete before you submit months, UDI will not grant a renewal the documents to the police. You must for the entire period and you must apply pay an application fee. for a new permit from abroad before you return to Norway. Make sure the application is complete no later than a month before your permit expires. If you do, you can stay in Norway under the same conditions Useful links: as with a valid permit, until the Immigration Authorities (UDI) have processed your application. If you let • Renewal of Residence Permit: your permit expire before completing https://student.hioa.no/en/ your application, you risk staying in renewal-of-residence-permit Norway illegally. • UDIs renewal website: You apply for renewal and book an www.udi.no/en/want-to- appointment online. renew/study-permit

31 During your stay

Moving within or out of Norway Health information

Update your contact details How do I get a doctor/general If you are moving, update your address practitioner? • In StudentWeb A general practitioner (GP) conducts • On SiO’s My Page, if you have student health checks. If necessary, your GP housing. will refer you to a specialist or a hospital • In The National Registry, if you are for further treatment. You can make registered. Update your address, an appointment with your assigned GP whether you are moving within whenever you find it necessary. Norway or leaving the country to go back home. You must complete a form Students with a Norwegian ID number and submit it, either online or by post Everyone who is registered in the to update your address. The form and National Registry will automatically more information can be found on the be assigned a GP. After you get your Tax Office (Skatt Øst) Moving website. Norwegian national identity number, we recommend you change your GP to Moving out of your student housing SiO, as it is the cheapest option. Read You have to give SiO 2-3 months’ notice more on SiO's Health Services website. if you move out before your contract expires. You will find the expiration date Students without a Norwegian in your contract under My Page. ID number If you do not have a Norwegian ID Before moving out, number, you will not be assigned a GP. • Give SiO your bank account number However, you can still contact any of in Norway, or in your home country, SiO’s health clinics when you need so they can return your deposit to you. medical attention. Contact details are • Clean your room according to your found on SiO’s Health Services website. contract to avoid a deduction from the deposit. To make sure you have done Students at Kjeller without a GP should it right, you can book a cleaning contact Nedre Romerike Legevakt as SiO inspec-tion by SiO before you hand in does not have any Health Services near your key and laundry card. Kjeller Campus.

More details on the SiO Housing website under Moving out.

32 Health information

Costs for health checks, medical treat- Students at Pilestredet Campus ment and hospitalization Call Legevakten, Storgata 40: You pay a patient user fee directly to the +47 22 93 22 93 health institution/GP when you undergo a health check or receive medical Students at Kjeller Campus treatment. Costs vary, but SiO is the Call Nedre Romerike Legevakt: cheapest option. Generally, you also pay + 47 66 93 66 93 for medications yourself.

Anyone who is a member of the National Emergency numbers Insurance Scheme or hold a European 110 - FIRE Health Insurance Card, does not need to 112 - POLICE pay for treatment, medication or hospital 113 - AMBULANCE accommodation if admitted to a hospital.

>3 Students with a Norwegian ID number: 6 There is an annual upper limit for doctors fees. If you reach this limit, you automatically receive a Fee Exemption Useful links: Card (“frikort”).

In addition, if you have your GP at SiO, • Tax Office (Skatt Øst) Moving: you can apply for a refund for most of www.skatteetaten.no/en/Forms/ your health expenses. Students at Reporting-a-move-within-Norway Kjeller can also apply for a refund without having a GP at SiO. Read more • SiO Housing: on SiO’s Health Services website. www.sio.no/en/housing

Emergency room • SiO’s Health Services: If your condition is serious or you need a www.sio.no/en/health-services doctor outside of office hours, contact Legevakten (the Emergency Room), open 24 hours.

33 During your stay

34 ABC A practical guide to life in Norway

35 ABC

About Norway Eastern Norway Both HiOA campuses are located in the southeastern part of Norway. This is by far the most populated region in the Language country. The public transportation sys- The official languages of Norway are tem makes it easy to travel between the Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk), largest cities and you do not have to trav- Sami and Kven. However, most el very far to experience the Norwegian people use one of the two Norwegian fjords and mountains. variants. In addition, there are many different Norwegian dialects that Oslo differ significantly with regards to Although Oslo is a rather small capital, accent, grammar, and vocab ulary. with approximately 660,000 Most Norwegians - regardless of age - inhabitants, there are activities for speak English. almost anyone. Oslo offers a busy nightlife, including one of the best live Climate music scenes in Northern Europe. It is Norway’s four seasons, spring, also a student city with approximately summer, autumn and winter, are very 70,000 students at-tending all the different regarding temperature and different institutions. type of weather. Winters are usually cold and snowy, while summers are Surrounding the city is a large for ested warm, but rarely hot. Spring is mild, area with lakes, rivers and several thou- while rain is common in the autumn. sand kilometres of paths and trails, for The weather also changes from day to skiing in the winter and hiking and day, and the climate varies from south cycling the rest of the year. The metro to north and from the coast to inland takes you all the way to the trails all areas. year round. There are also many small islands and beaches easily reached by pu blic transport during the summer.

Like most capitals, there are many muse-ums and sights to visit. Unique for Oslo is the Munch museum, featuring art-works by the famous Norwegian painter who painted the Scream. You may also visit the Ski Museum at Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Vigeland Sculpture Park. 36 Kjeller and Lillestrøm Located halfway between Oslo Airport Gardermoen and Oslo, in Skedsmo mu- nicipality, you will find Kjeller Campus and the town of Lillestrøm. In the town you can find most necessary services, such as post offices, banks, churches, coffee shops, restaurants, cinema, a culture centre, a shopping centre, as well as the bus terminal and train station- making it easy to get to Oslo and other places in the region.

In the woods on the outskirts of Lillestrøm there are paths and trails, ideal for skiing in the winter and hiking and cycling the rest of the year. During the winter, downhill slopes near Lillestrøm are open and you can go ice- skating at the ice rink by Lillestrøm Torv. In the summer months, the outdoor pool complex “Nebbursvollen” is open for those who like swimming.

Useful links:

• Read more about Norway: www.visitnorway.com/uk • Read more about Oslo: www.visitoslo.com/en • Read more about Akershus: www.akershus.com/en

37 ABC

Bank account in Norway Opening a Norwegian Account To choose a bank, compare the prices and services of different banks before All Norwegian banks have online you make a decision. ba nking, which makes it easy to pay your bills, transfer money or check To open an account, go to the bank you your account. You need a passport and a have chosen and bring Norwegian ID number to open a full • Your passport. The EU ID card might version bank account. not be sufficient to access online banking services. Users of the SiO visa deposit account • Your Norwegian national with a Norwegian national identification number. identification number • Reference letter from your bank in your home country (not all banks will We recommend you open a Norwegian ask for this) bank account.

Students without a Norwegian national identification number Bikes In theory a bank can apply for a temporary D-number on your behalf. Many banks are, however, reluctant to An easy way to get around in the city do so, and it can be a lengthy process. If most of the year is by bike. you are not staying long enough to • City bikes (Oslo Bysykkel) are apply for a Norwegian ID number, we available from a large number of bike highly recommend that you continue to stations around the city. To use them, use your bank at home. Remember to you need to buy a subscription. check what your bank in your home • At Kjeller Campus there are a few country charges for withdrawing cash, bikes international students can bor- paying bills, and transferring money in row. Please contact the Coordinator another country. for international students on campus for more information. There are also City Bikes in Lillestrøm/Åråsen.

Oslo City Bike: www.bysykler.no/en-oslo

38 Budget and cost of living How to live on a tight budget • Bring food (matpakke in Norwegian) and beverages with you instead of Norway, and particularly Oslo, can be an buying on campus. expensive place to live. However, even • Cook food at home instead of eating students can do it. An estimated budget out can be found on our website. We offer • Tap water is a cheaper and better you some advice that can help you keep option than bottled water your costs down. • Buy food and beverages in cheap sup ermarkets and look out for the super- Shopping for essentials markets’ own cheap brands (examples Since there are many options when it are First Price, Euroshopper and Xtra) comes to shopping for food and other • Buy second-hand clothes necessary items, we have listed some of • Bring clothes from home and take into the cheaper options here: consideration Norway’s four seasons. We have listed some useful clothing Food items to bring in the checklist at the • Supermarkets such as Rema 1000 and end of this handbook. Kiwi • Attend the HiOA Give-away flea mar- • Independent vegetable shops at ket at the beginning of semester and Grønland in Oslo other flea markets in autumn/spring. • Keiser Fruitmarket at Lillestrøm Use FINN.no all year round. You can buy used furniture, kitchen equip- Kitchen equipment/housewares ment, clothes, sports equipment, bikes, • Nille and more. • Clas Ohlson • Buy a 30-day student ticket if you use • IKEA. Free buses to IKEA from Oslo public transport often. City Centre every half hour all day. Departure from Dronningens gate 15. Useful links: Bus number 401 from Kjeller to Oslo Bus terminal stops outside IKEA. Budget : https://student.hioa.no/en/how- to-finance-your-studies FINN.no: www.finn.no Fleamarkets, times and locations: www.loppemarkeder.com

39 ABC

Communication

Mobile phones Student discount You only need an ID-card to buy a If you are under 30 and use public pre-paid phone card. These cards can transportation regularly, buy a 30-day be bought at kiosks such as Narvesen, student ticket. This is the cheapest 7-Eleven. option.

However, if you want to buy a subscrip- In order for your student ticket to be tion, you need a Norwegian ID-number. valid, you will always have to bring There are many different subscriptions. both your student card and your To find one that is suitable to your needs, semester card/ student ID app ask at a telecommunication store or oth- whenever you use the student ticket. er stores selling electrical equipment.

Public transportation It is easy to get around in Oslo and Lillestrøm using the public transportation system.

Tickets and prices Always buy your ticket before board- ing the bus/tram/metro/train. It is much more expensive to buy the ticket on board. If you have a smart phone you can download the RuterBillett app. Tickets Useful links: can also be bought from ticket vending machines and kiosks such as 7-Eleven or Narvesen. Bus, tram and metro: www.ruter.no/en Remember to vali date your ticket. If you do not have a valid ticket when an Trains: inspector asks for it, you will receive a www.nsb.no/en heavy fine.

40 Checklist

Essential items and documents Practical items

Admission Letter from HiOA Bringing these items can save you time and money Original diplomas/transcripts from previous education Passport photos • Degree students only Adapters for electrical equipment Valid passport/EU National ID if necessary Card • Standard sockets in Norway are of the two pin kind and use 220 Letter from the UDI granting you volts residence permit • Only if applicable Suitable clothes and shoes for all four seasons Proof of Health Insurance • Wool clothing (sweaters, scarf, • EEA/EU students: European gloves, hat) is recommended for Health Insurance Card winter • Non-EEA/EU students: Proof • A wind- and rainproof jacket of private health insurance can be useful all year round

Credit Card Towels, linens/bedding, pillow, duvet Cash and cash/debit card • Can also be bought at reasonable • Enough Norwegian kroner for prices in Norway. your first days in Norway. Can also be withdrawn at the airport or train station.

Necessary medications and prescriptions

Letter of reference from your bank for opening an account in Norway

Your own computer. This is a condition of study at HiOA. 41 Useful addresses

Kjeller students, see the addresses in Lillestrøm/Kjeller, Pilestredet students, see the addresses in Oslo.

42 HiOA Section for Internationalisation Information centre at your Faculty: Oslo and Akershus University College www.hioa.no/eng/Contact-us/Service- of Applied Sciences and-Information-Centres-at-HiOA Section for Internationalisation P.O. Box 4, St Olavs Plass Health Services N0130, Norway This is where you go for health checks. Email: [email protected] Remember to book an appointment before you go! Immigration Offices This is where you go to hand in your Oslo documents after arrival City centre: St.Olavsgate 32 Blindern: Oslo Kristian Ottosen’s House, 1st floor Service Centre for Foreign Workers Problemveien 9 (SUA), Schweigaardsgate 17, Oslo Lillestrøm Lillestrøm Romerike Helsebygg Nedre Ringerike Police, Dampsagveien 4 Foreign Section Jonas Lies gate 20, Lillestrøm Chest X-ray and TB-tests Oslo Local Skatt Øst Offices Ullevål Hospital, Diagnosestasjon for This is where you go to register in the Oslo og Akershus National Population Register and to get House K, 1st floor a tax card Kirkeveien 166

Oslo Lillestrøm Skatt Øst Oslo Helseavdelingen, Skedsmo Rådhus Schweigaardsgate 17 (The Department of Health at the City Hall). Lillestrøm Jonas Lies gate 18, Lillestrøm Solheimsgata 18 2000 Lillestrøm Sports Facilities Open: Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00 Oslo Athletica Centrum Student Service Centres Akersgata Holbergsgata 21 This is where you go if you have questions about semester registration, the Kjeller semester fee or your studies. Kjeller trening Instituttveien 12 Oslo Pilestredet 46 Student welfare and social activities E-mail: Student Life [email protected] www.student.hioa.no/en/ international-environment Kjeller Student Chaplain: Kunnskapsveien 55 www.student.hioa.no/en/university- E-mail: [email protected] chaplain Quiet rooms: www.student.hioa.no/en/quiet-rooms

43 Updated August 2017