25 things you did not know about studying in Norway

Norway is any international's student dream; with tuition free in public universities, financial aid and living amongst the 3rd happiest people in the world. That is an opportunity most students would grab with both hands and legs.

Norway, just like the rest of the country in Scandinavia, suffers from being in the shadows of bigger countries in the EU.

1. Education Is Free.
Public universities in Norway do not charge you for tuition fees. The government pay salaries for all university staffs and foot miscellaneous bills. So you can strike tuition fees off your list of worries. You may have to pay semester registration fees, however which range from Nok500-600 (that is approximately $54-65$).

2. There Are Limitations To Work-study Options.
An international student in Norway holding a student resident permit is not allowed to seek employment. But, students can apply to acquire part time permit to seek employment during vacations. An international student is allowed to work 20 hours per week once the permit is granted.

3. Acceptance Rate Are Low.
With free tuition fees, come a deluge of applications. The university with the highest acceptance rate in Norway is the Norwegian university of science and technology, it has acceptance rate of 39%. Applying early and meeting requirements is key.

4. Courses Are Taught In English.
If you are a non-Norwegian speaker, you can apply to study English, provided that the course you applied for is taught in English. You have to present proof of your fluency in English through TOEFL or IELTS.

5. Cost Of Living Is Very High.
Norway is an oil rich economy. Having that Kind of wealth means more money in circulation and higher cost of amenities. International students often find it even without paying tuition, the cost of living in one of the richest countries in Europe per Capita, is very high. Living in Norway's larger cities like Oslo and Bergen could cost you between $1200-$2200 per month. In smaller cities, the average is $900-$1300 per month will do.

6. The Weather Is Not Exactly Friendly.
Welcome to the arctic region. Norway, like the rest of the Scandinavia is quite close to the north pole. In winter, the temperature drops to Sub-Zero levels and snow covers much of the country. The weather is much milder in summer. If you are moving to Norway, from a tropical region of the world, you may want to pack for cold.

7. Health Insurance Is Required For Your First Weeks.
All students from outside EU are required to have private or public health insurance. This will cover your first weeks in Norway. Students staying in Norway for more than 3 months can become members of National insurance scheme. Membership of this scheme allows them to enjoy free treatment when they fall ill.

8. There Are Scholarship Available.
There are a number of scholarship to help students who may need financial aid. Some of this scholarship cover between 49-60% of total living costs. Visit www.afterschoolafrica.com to learn more about scholarship in Norway.

9. Norwegian Universities Rank High In The World.
There are six Norwegian Universities in the global best 600 universities. This is quite a feat when you take into consideration that most of this universities are government funded. The best university in Norway is the university of Oslo which rank 135 in the world.

10. Norwegians Are Happy People.
Norway is the third happiest country in the world after Finland and Denmark, that's according to a report by World happiness report which was released by sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations.

11. You Can Travel To 26 Countries In Europe With Your Student Visa.
It's a little something called the Schengen agreement. It allows citizens and legal residents of the 26 member state to travel and stay up to 90 days in countries within the block.

12. Norway is sparsely populated.
With a population of 5.32 million people in a land area approximately 385,000 Kmsq. Norway is one of the most sparsely populated places on earth. Most of the population is centered in large cities like Oslo and Bergen.

13. English Is Widely Spoken In Norway.
The level of English spoken in Norway is exceptional. It is especially higher among younger people. You may not encounter much problems communicating with people, you may however need knowledge of basic Norwegian when dealing with older people like bus drivers for instance.

14. Alcohols Are Not Sold On Sundays.
The law dates back to the 1920s were enacted in a bid to stem alcoholism.

15. The Nobel Peace Prize Is Awarded In Norway.
The Norwegian capital hosts the Nobel peace prize ceremony every year (with just few exceptions) since 1901. The other Nobel prizes in Chemistry, Literature, Physics and Psychology or medicine are only awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.

16. Oslo Is The Most Diverse City In The World.
Of the 648,000 people in Oslo, 190,000 people were born to immigrants or are immigrants themselves. That's nearly 30% of the country's population, compared to around 15% in the country overall.

17. In A Norwegian Town, It Is Illegal To Die.
In the arctic town of Langyearbyen, burials are not permitted in the Island so it is generally said that it is illegal to die. The permafrost nature of the soil means the body will never decompose and occasionally could be exhumed by the rain. To prevent potential outbreak of diseases from non-decomposing bodies, the government banned burials on the Islands.

18. You Will Need An English Certificate
You will need an English Certificate if the course you are studying will be in English, you will have to present an English proficiency certificate usually TOEFL or IELTS.

19. Your Admission Can Be Revoked If You Break The Law.
Don't assume your admission as an international student gives you immunity. Flout the rules governing your stay and you could be on the next available flight to your country.

20. Admission Is Once A Year.
Unlike some countries where there is a 'spring' and 'fall' admission, in Norway, international students get enrolled only once in a year, in August.

21. Norway Has Beautiful Landscapes And Scenery.
Norway is one of the brightest Scandinavia jewel and even its toughest and most rugged landscapes shines beautifully. Norway is widely known and admired for its wide range of natural peculiarities and beauties. Its deep forest, arctic tundras, grand mountains tops, colorful grass-roofed houses and of course, its majestic fjords are just some of the country's iconic landscapes. So much of the country is defined by its relationship to the sea. Its Islands, glaciers, fishing villages, and tens of thousands of miles of dramatic coastlines make for wonderful scenery.

22. You Can Stay In Norway Up To A Year After Graduation.
International students may stay in Norway for a year after graduating from the Norwegian university or college. This is if they intend to look for work, beware that you must apply for resident permit as a job seeker before your current permit expires and after completing your degree.

23. Norway Is Not Part Of The European Union.
The kingdom of Norway is not a member state of the European union (EU). Its association with the union is through its membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) established in 1994. It is also a founding member of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which was founded in 1960.

24. Norway Has A Constitutional Monarchy.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy with the Norwegian head of state since 1991, King Harald V, he has no political power but performs ceremonial duties and is generally a beloved, down-to-earth representative of the Norwegian people.

25. Norwegian Are Obsessed With Skiing
If there's one thing that stokes the pride of Norwegian more than any other, it's skiing. The cross-country variety is most popular. Its a sport rooted in tradition and goes back in centuries.