DISCOVER 2 Photo: Olav Breen

www.uia.no [LIKHET – whether you are a student or a distinguished professor, people are ]

At the top of the world, discover Norway, with its long and intricate coastline, untouched 3 nature, 4.8 million people, and long traditions in international trade.

DISCOVER NORWAY DISCOVER THE UNIVERSITY OF

The United Nations has named The University of Agder (UiA) was Norway the best country to live in six established on September 1, 2007 years in a row. Norway is known for when Agder University College recei- its stunning landscapes, clean air, ved full university accreditation. It is safe streets, gender equality, lack of the fifth largest university in Norway. unemployment, and a very high The university has two campuses standard of living. In the internatio- with about 9000 students and 1000 nal environment at the University of employees. Agder (UiA), you’ll not only learn from There are five faculties: the Norwegian way of living, but also > Humanities and Education learn from your fellow students, who > Economics and Social Sciences will be from all over the world. You’ll > Fine Arts find yourself cooking rice with > Engineering and Science Indonesians, clinking glasses with > Health and Sport Italians and watching football > Teacher Education Unit (organized (aka soccer) with – well, everyone! inter-disciplinarily)

UiA is a national and international research institution with research in all academic areas covered by the ECTS LABEL university’s study programmes. More UiA was one of the first institu- than 200 of the university’s acade- tions to be awarded the ECTS mic staff are professors or associate label by the European Commis- professors. The university prioritizes sion for outstanding quality in regional, national and international [student exchange. ] cooperation.

www.uia.no [KOSELIG – a special type of “cosy” – not just candles and flowers, but a state of being]

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Photo: Tanja Stiber

INTERNATIONALISATION UiA cooperates with over 175 part- UiA is the only Higher Education ner institutions through student, fa- Institution in Norway to have been culty and staff exchange. Each year, awarded both the ECTS and DS labels we accept about 200 international by the European Commission. students and send 350 Norwegian students abroad. UiA offers 9 PhD programmes, over 20 master programmes and about The university has fulfilled the requi- 50 bachelor programmes. Six of the rements of the Bologna Process by master programmes are taught in adopting the Bologna degree struc- English. Each of the five faculties of- ture, implementing the European fers courses in English for exchange Credit Accumulation and Transfer students. System (ECTS system), increasing continuous evaluation, increasing internationalisation, introducing in- dividual education plans and estab- lishing a comprehensive quality assurance system.

www.uia.no www.uia.no [LIKESTILLING – gender equality – an important force in Norwegian society]

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Two Campuses: (left) and (right).

COURSES IN ENGLISH FIVE MORE GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE UIA Courses in English are offered in : As an exchange student, you can > Business Administration mix and match courses in different > Information Systems subject areas as long as you meet > Political Science the pre-requisites. UiA also offers > English five semester programmes (30-ECTS > History credits each): > Religion > Norwegian Society, Education and > Mathematics Culture (NORSEC) > Engineering > Course Package in Humanities and > Music Performance Education > Education > Comparative Educational Studies > Outdoor Education and Nature For a complete, up-to-date list of co- Guiding urses and course descriptions, go to >European Integration www.uia.no/studyprogrammes

These are described on the following pages.

www.uia.no [KOSELIG – a special type of “cosy” – not just candles and flowers, but a state of being]

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Photos: Olav Breen

Photo: Olav Breen

NORSEC (NORWEGIAN SOCIETY, EDUCATION AND CULTURE)

> Level: Bachelor Education and Culture. NORSEC is > ECTS: 30 a comparative study programme > Semester: Autumn focusing first on Norwegian society, the Norwegian school system and What to expect: Is Norway a wealthy Norwegian culture. The students will, country because of its oil? Why have however, be invited to make com- Ibsen and Hamsun become world parisons with their home countries famous authors? What are the basic during the semester. Two three-day Norwegian values? Is Norway a and two one-day excursions are im- country based on egalitarian values? portant and integrated parts of the Why do we have two official written programme. One of the three-day Norwegian languages in a country excursions takes place during the with only 4.6 million people? How are first week. minorities treated? Is Christianity on the wane in Norway? What is it like to Requirements: Teacher training grow up in Norwegian kindergartens and education students from partner and schools? What are the chal- institutions are prioritized for admis- lenges facing the Norwegian welfare sion. state? UiA has offered NORSEC for groups These and other questions will be of 25-30 foreign students every discussed during the one-semester autumn since 1994 with remarkably programme Norwegian Society, positive student evaluations.

www.uia.no www.uia.no ]

COURSE PACKAGE IN HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION

>Level: Bachelor >ECTS: 30 >Semester: Autumn 7

What to expect: The Course Package consists of the three courses (10 ECTS credits each): 1) Norway: Society and Culture, which gives you insight into various as- pects of Norwegian society – history, school system, language, literature, economy, politics, music, art, food and religion. 2) Gender and Equality from a Global Perspective, which focuses upon gen- der identity, drawing on a number of disciplines, such as political science, sociology, economics, law, psycho- logy and religious studies. 3) Beat Culture: Literature and Art, which introduces you to this highly interesting radical, experimental tra- dition in art and literature in America after the Second Word War. The col- lection of beat art at the University of Agder – the largest outside the USA – forms a unique platform for this course.

Requirements: Applicants should have completed at least one year of higher education. Students from part- ner universities are prioritized. The three courses can also be taken separately.

“I thought I was liberal before, but it’s very different here. It’s interesting to see the ideas that come from a social democracy.” -Ashton, USA

www.uia.no Photo: Iris Engen Skadal Photos: Iris Engen Skadal

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COMPARATIVE EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (CES)

Level: Bachelor educational studies, and learn about ECTS: 30 the differences and similarities bet- Semester: Spring ween Norwegian and other educatio- nal systems. What to expect: The programme is an introduction to comparative edu- Requirements: Students should pre- cational studies with an emphasis ferably have completed two years on three areas: of a bachelor programme in teacher training or education. (1) the process of learning using Norway as the basis for internatio- “At one kindergarten, I spent a day nal comparisons outdoors. To me, this is amazing, the outdoor idea. I will take this (2) the phenomena of integration, idea home with me and try to live it inclusion and special education on a more. It’s so normal here, we have global level forgotten about this in Austria – just packing the children for the day and (3) comparative case studies in hiking. At an elementary school I schools or nursery schools. saw open plan classrooms, which were also amazing. The difference is Students will gain basic knowledge that it is accepted here. In Austria, of research methods in comparative it’s too radical.” - Andrea, Austria

www.uia.no www.uia.no [NATUR – mountains, fjords, coasts and forests – your playground, refuge, your everything ]

Photo: Janne Strøm- 9

OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND NATURE GUIDING

Level: Bachelor the highlights is an excursion into ECTS: 30 the mountains to build and sleep in a Semester: Spring snow cave.

What to expect: Experience the Requirements: A high degree of phy- Norwegian great outdoors and learn sical fitness is required. Applicants the concept of”friluftsliv” - making should have completed at least one outdoor activity a part of everyday year of sports studies at bachelor life. Outdoor activity has always level and must be able to swim. Stu- been a part of Norwegian culture dents from the sports department’s and society. Through theory and partner universities are prioritized. practice, this programme introduces sports students to”friluftsliv” and More information: http://www.uia. educates them to become teachers, no/en/portals/study/study_program- coaches and leaders in outdoor envi- mes/courses_in_english ronments. The programme consists of two modules: Outdoor Activities ”Finding the challenge in nature and Theory and Outdoor Activities and testing your abilities in unknown ter- Nature Guiding. Activities include rain is one of the great advantages traditional guiding, winter mountai- of this course.” - Nils Åke, Germany neering, skiing, hiking and explora- tion of the sea and coastline. One of

www.uia.no [VORSPIEL –Fest before the fest ] Photos: Iris Engen Skadal

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EUROPEAN INTEGRATION SUMMERSCHOOL Level: Master foreign and security policy, or the ECTS: 30 future of the Constitutional Treaty Semester: Summer of the European Union. Upon com- pletion of the European Integration What to expect: The master-level Summer School, students will have courses are taught by top profes- acquired analytical skills and upda- sors and practitioners from all over ted empirical knowledge of political, Europe. A maximum of 25 students economic and social integration in are accepted, and they come from Europe. Unlike many summer pro- all over the world. The first course is grammes, there are no tuition fees. a problem-oriented introduction to the historical, economic and political Requirements: Applicants must hold processes behind the development a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of a European Community/Union. Stu- of study such as social sciences, dents learn how EU institutions work economics and law, or an equivalent and how to study and understand the background including 180 ECTS cre- European Union as a political, econo- dits. mic and judicial system. The second More information: www.uia.no/eiss course is focused on current issues in the development of the European ”A variety of lectures gives a diverse Union, such as the development of picture of the EU integration process” regional and social policy, a common - Maurizio, Italy

www.uia.no www.uia.no [ SYKKEL –Most popular form of student transportation (2 wheels, no motor) ]

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STUDENT SERVICES DISCOVER EXCHANGE

Both the University of Agder and the If you are a student at one of our Student Association of Agder (SiA) many partner universities, you can strive to deliver top-notch services apply for the exchange programme, for students. Classroom, library and which lasts one or two semesters. As computer lab facilities on campus are an exchange student, you will pay no excellent and available. tuition or semester fees to UiA and SiA runs on campus day care centres, you are guaranteed housing. The In- housing services, bookshops, cafete- ternational Education Office and the rias, pubs and the gym, Spicheren. Erasmus Student Network will take good care of you while you study at Housing is of high quality. All stu- UiA. dents have their own bedroom and most share a bathroom and kitchen APPLY with one other student. Housing is within walking distance of campus. Talk to the international office at your SiA also supports the semester start home university about the possibility festival and contributes to 50 stu- of exchange at UiA. When you are dent organisations. ready, you can apply online here: www.uia.no/applyexchange

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ARRIVAL When you arrive in Agder, you’ll be met by mem- bers of the Erasmus Student Network - students who will take you to your student residence. Your first days will introduce you to your new home, the university and your fellow students. You are provided with a free orientation pro- gramme and a Norwegian course. Plenty of ac- tivities are organized throughout the semester by The International Education Office and ESN Agder.

ERASMUS STUDENT NETWORK

ESN Agder is a volunteer student week. We also focus on integration organization which works primarily with Norwegian students through to improve exchange students’ stay language exchange, international here in Agder. There are six students days and international pub nights. on the board, and many more volun- teer buddies. Throughout the year Our main goal is to give you a semes- ESN arranges trips, parties and other ter abroad where you’ve experienced social events. There are monthly Agder and other parts of Norway at activities, and special focus on giving its best, and made friends for life. international students a comfortable start, by meeting them on arrival day and guiding them through orientation

www.uia.no [ Fadder – A student who will meet you when you arrive and help you settle in ]

Photo: Michal Kucera

Photo: Nils-Åke Walther

Photo: Sara Antonelli

Photo: Urs Isenring •

Kristiansand •• Grimstad

DISCOVER NORWEGIAN > Hyggelig A special kind of niceness found only in Norway > Sørlending A person from the southern coast of Norway, usually also “hyggelig” > Sol When it is shining, a Sørlending knows how to enjoy it > Snø White stuff falling from the sky, providing a backdrop for winter sports, especially welcome when experiencing lack of sol > Vann For swimming in the summer, skating in the winter and drinking all year round (fresh, salt and bubbly varieties widely available) > Fadder A student who will meet you when you arrive and help you settle in > Sykkel Most popular form of student transportation (2 wheels, no motor) >Danskebåten Boat with frequent departures to Denmark (3 hour express), your connection to the continent > Fest Collection of friends, food, drinks and fun > Vorspiel Fest before the fest > Nachspiel Fest after the fest > Skål What you say at the fest while cliking glasses > Grandiosa The frozen pizza you will grow to love > Pølser Alternative to Grandiosa, aka hot dogs or frankfurters > Spicheren The on-campus gym where you can work off the pølser and Grandiosas > Venner The international and Norwegian students you will meet and remain in contact with long after you leave Norway > Koselig A special type of “cosy” – not just candles and flowers, but a state of being

www.uia.no Photo: Iris Engen Skadal UNIVERSITY OF AGDER Kristiansand • Grimstad Post box 422 | NO-4604 Kristiansand | Norway Photo: Nils-Åke Walther (front) Phone + 47 38 14 10 00 | [email protected] | www.uia.no Photo: Iris Engen Skadal