Incoming exchange students: testimonies

My stay in Tromsø for sure belongs to the best times of my life. For once, the location in the very north of Europe is something truly special. Long nights, polar lights and the amazing fjord landscape are incredibly exceptional. In addition, the exchange was very well organised, the communication with the coordinators was uncomplicated and the programme itself educational and diverse. I would recommend anyone to spend a semester at UiT in the "Paris of the North"!

Thanks for making my stay possible!

I studied at Narvik during the spring semester in 2023. I created a lot of new memories. The nature and the location close to Lofoten is amazing. Even though I arrived during the dark winter times there was a lot to do.

The amount of classes I could choose from was quite small, but some of them were really interesting and well done.

Sadly UiT in Narvik doesn't offer any beginner norwegian classes, yet a lot of events or information is offered in norwegian. The classes were taught in english though.

I can highly recommend Tromsø as a place for a semester abroad, as the small courses and lots of exercises and group work, but also many events, make good contact with other students and make friends. Also, the teachers are very supportive.

For me, everyday student life has created a good balance with leisure and adventure, especially through nature and many excursion possibilities. There are also many festivals and events in the city.

I am also very happy to have chosen the summer semester as an exchange semester, as I had the opportunity to experience all seasons (autumn starts around the end of August). For those who love nature and adventure and can cope well with any (cold) weather, Tromsø is the perfect place for a semester abroad.

Jeg studerer Kultur og Samfundshistorie i Ilisimatusarfik- Grønlandsuniversitet. Hos Norges Arktiske Universitet, studerer fagene ’Introduction to Indigenous Studies’, “History of Indigenous Peoples - Indigenous people, ethnic minorities and the multi-cultural society in the North”, og “Indigenous Revitalization - Languages, Literature and Arts”. Hele studiet og oplevelsen har ændret mit liv og perspektiv på mange måder. Jeg har fået så meget erfaring og så mange oplevelser, at det er umuligt at fortælle kort.

Jeg boede i et lejet hus sammen med to studerende fra Norge og Finland. Vores klasse på universitetet er en multikulturelt og multi-disciplineret klasse, hvor det er menneskeligt udviklende. At have en dagligdag med rummelige og accepterende mennesker fra så mange forskellige lande og kulturer, er i sig selv en meget udviklende gave. Dertil var det utroligt lærerigt at være på et så professionelt universitet som UiT- Norges Arktiske Universitet. Jeg har ligeledes fået et stort netværk som jeg nu kan trække på, hjemmefra i Grønland. Verden er tilgængelig, hvis man vil, og jeg vil opfordre alle unge at tage en uddannelse i udlandet!

Udover min personlige som læringsmæssige udvikling har jeg også haft plads til at arbejde sammen med Arctic Council- Indigenous Peoples Secretariat og blev inddraget i Indigenous Youth Leadership Workshop med andre Indigenous Youth fra arktiske lande, som var virkelig lærerigt, og fik oplevet masser af rejser til andre byer i Norge, Frankrig, Island, Amsterdam, Finland, Sverige og London. Jeg er taknemmelig at have fået venner for livet, og det bedste semester som jeg aldrig kommer til at glemme.

My experience as an Erasmus+ student at UiT was truly exceptional, earning it a solid 10/10 in my book. UiT offers top-notch education that not only inspired me but also boasts excellent infrastructure, including numerous study rooms and co-working areas scattered throughout the campus.

Studying in Tromsø also opens doors to an array of incredible experiences. From witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights to basking in the beauty of the midnight sun, and even cultivating a deep love for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and skiing, every moment was a treasure.

Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend UiT as a prime destination for future exchange students.

This erasmus has been the best experience that i’ve ever been in my entire life! I meet amazing people in an amazing place and I did experiences that unfortunately will not be so easy to repeat.

Tromsø is beautiful and I think that everyone should live there for a period of their life. The university is so well organised and everything is done in the best way. I hope to come back very very sun. (I meet the love of my life there therefore we need to be always grateful to Tromsø 🤩

Hello everyone,

My name is Anara and I am a bachelor student in American University of Central Asia. I am from Kyrgyzstan. My exchange semester at UiT has become one of the best things that has ever happened to me! This experience was so magical and incredible. I always wanted to visit Norway and the exchange semester in Tromso was just the perfect place to start to explore this amazing country. I have met people from many countries and had a chance to become friends! Classes at university were very interesting and professors were great! One of the best things is the northern lights! In short, my exchange semester was full of wonderful moments that I will never forget and I strongly recommend UiT as an exchange destination for students!

My experience in Norway was unlike any other. One I would not exchange for any amount of gold or silver. Life there is very different from life in South Africa, and not in a bad way.

The culture is unlike anything I’ve seen or heard before, and that’s coming from a South African who experiences a multitude of cultures daily- if not hourly. The people or so friendly, but only once you engage to them because they would never want to inconvenience you. I mean where even in the world do you find people who mind their business??? Lol.

The weather was much different from what I’m used to, but let me tell you, but it doesn’t stop you from anything. At all.

I would most definitely advice everyone to at least once in your lifetime, experience the beautiful which is Norway. You learn so much there, not just at the university, but society.

One day I hope to go back there. To the red, white and blue country.”

My exchange experience in Norway was an exceptional one and I would definitely recommend UiT as an exchange destination for future students.

Besides many great aspects which could be very beneficial in my journey as a teacher, which entail Norwegians ability to use technology in the classroom to its maximum best and their curriculum which is so flexible and focuses greatly on practical learning, rather than just theory, I was very fascinated to visit Trondenes Museum in Harstad, where we learnt deeply about the rich Norwegian history. We got introduced to history about Thorir Hund, one of the greatest warriors in Norway, who represented the peasant faction.

We also learnt about the effects of World War 2 and the role played by politics and religion in shaping what Norway is today. As part of our visit to the Museum, we also visited the Trondenes Church which was built around 1400s. The UiT placed us in an amazing school (Stonglandet Skole in Senja) with the most caring principal and a wonderful mentor, Hilde Lisbeth Strand.