Engelsk UiA-brosjyre 2019

UNIVERSITY OF AGDER KRISTIANSAND • GRIMSTAD NORWAY

www.uia.no/en

EXCHANGE GUIDE

CONTENTS 3 4 5 6 8 12 14 18 22

The University of Agder – Introduction International Cooperation Why UiA? Courses Student Life Norway and ’Sørlandet’ Kristiansand Grimstad Facilities

Photos: Olav Breen (p. 1) Iris Engen Skadal (p. 2, 6) Richard Rudat (p. 8, 9, 10, 11), Juliette Maurin (p. 7), Pete Cerni (p. 16), Mireia Odena (p. 8) Andrianina Irina Randrianarivelo (p 23), Jon-Petter Thorsen (p. 4, 5, 9, 25), Anders Martinsen (p. 27) and NOV (p. 12).

UNIVERSITY OF AGDER

Kristiansand • Grimstad Post box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway Phone: + 47 38 14 10 00 E-mail: post@uia.no

www.uia.no/en January 2019

UNIVERSITY OF AGDER The University of Agder (UiA) is situated on the southern tip of Norway and is located on two campuses, in Kristiansand and Grimstad.

The university has 13 000 students and 1400 faculty and staff members. It is one of the youngest universities in Norway, but its history dates back to 1839 when the first teacher training institution in the region was established.

It is a public university with state-of-the-art buildings on both campuses. Research is the foundation of all teaching activities at UiA and covers a wide variety of disciplines.

Being a driving force for societal and regional development, the university of Agder has close contact with industry, organisations and cultural institutions. It is an internationally oriented university in a region exposed to strong international competition.

Agder means ’on the edge’ and the name suits the university and the twin counties of VestAgder and Aust-Agder in the southern part of the country. As a young university, the University of Agder aims to be on the cutting edge of innovation, education and research.

There are six faculties and one teacher education unit: > Faculty of Engineering and Science Departments of: Natural Sciences · Mathematical Sciences · Engineering Sciences · Information and Communication Technology

> Faculty of Fine Arts Departments of: Popular Music· Classical Music and Music Education · Department of Visual Arts and Drama

> Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences Departments of: Public Health, Sport and Nutrition · Health and Nursing Science · Psychosocial Health

> Faculty of Humanities and Education Departments of: Foreign Languages and Translation · Nordic and Media Studies · Education· Religion, Philosophy and History

> Faculty of Social Sciences Departments of: Information Systems · Global Development and Planning · Political Science and Management · Sociology and Social Work

> School of Business and Law The University of Agder offers > 14 PhD specialisations > 44 master’s programmes > 50 bachelor’s programmes Shorter study programmes, as well as lifelong learning courses, are also available

Departments of: Economics and Finance · Management· Working Life and Innovation · Law

> Teacher Education Unit

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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

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Internationalisation is an important aspect in all strategic planning and development at the University of Agder. In addition to international research collaboration, the university cooperates with more than 200 partner institutions through student, faculty and staff exchanges. Each year, UiA welcomes about 300 students from abroad and sends about 400 Norwegian students to universities all over the world. Students from about 40 countries are represented in our student body.

Exchange students are guaranteed student housing and assistance by buddies and the International Education Office.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY ”Global Mindset” is one of three focus areas in our strategy for 2016-2020. It emphasises that: •

The University of Agder shall offer education and disseminate knowledge as well as carry out research and artistic development work at a high international level. We aim to strengthen our international profile and our position as an attractive partner for cooperation.

•

The university shall integrate global issues in research, and contribute to solving global challenges. We will encourage cooperation, dialogue and mutual cultural development.

•

UiA shall invite to an international environment for learning – and co-creation. All our study programmes will therefore comprise both Norwegian and global perspectives and include possibilities for student exchange. We will develop more studies which may attract an increasingly international student population.

For the staff, global culture and competence building will be facilitated.

•

Our campuses shall make visible that UiA is an inviting and inclusive host for Norwegian and international students as well as for employees and cooperation partners. We will establish meeting places which stimulate to dialogue and mutual cultural development.

WHY UIA? UiA is a young and dynamic university, recognised for its modern teaching and research facilities and innovative use of technology and communication media. With close ties to regional businesses and the public sector, the university plays an important role in the development of the region.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE:

int-office@uia.no

DEADLINES For studies starting in August: 1 May For studies starting in January: 15 October 5

WE OFFER: > Courses in English at all faculties > Guaranteed accommodation > Buddy system > Modern facilities > Approachable teachers > Norway’s best student cafeteria > Safe environment > Warm summers and snowy winters

OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF: OUR CLOSENESS TO THE PRACTICAL LIFE OUR INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING STUDIES HAVING SATISFIED STUDENTS OUR SUCCESS WITH WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY OUR EXCHANGE STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES HAVING EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE OUR STUDENT CAFETERIA HAVING A TOP STUDENT UNION HAVING OPEN DOORS BEING A UNIVERSITY GROWING AND DEVELOPING

COURSES

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Students participating in an exchange programme between the University of Agder and one of our partner institutions can access a wide range of courses taught in English at either bachelor’s or master’s level.

UIA OFFERS COURSES IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS: Campus Kristiansand: > Business Administration > Development studies > Education > Fine Arts > Information Systems > Languages (English, German, Spanish, Scandinavian studies) > Mathematics > Music Performance > Nursing (practical placement only) > Political Science > Religion > Sport Campus Grimstad: > Engineering > ICT > Nursing (practical placement only) Students may select courses across faculties, but that will increase the risk of timetable collisions.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR: Autumn semester: Mid-August till mid-December.

Spring semester: First week of January till mid-June.

I chose UiA because there is a large selection of studies in the renewable energy field such as wind energy, hydrology, hydraulic energy...

I think that Norway is one of the most developed countries in this field and the other countries should follow the same energy policy. I could also discover Norway, a wonderful country I fell in love with because of the captivating landscapes: the fjords, Preikestolen, the harbors... It was an unforgettable experience.

Juliette Maurin EPF Graduate School of Engineer

In addition to our selection of free-standing courses, we also offer several semester progammes and collision-free course packages: ONE-SEMESTER PROGRAMMES (30 ECTS) > NORSEC – Norwegian Society, Education and Culture (autumn) > Comparative Educational Studies (spring) > Outdoor Education (spring) COURSE PACKAGES BACHELOR’S LEVEL (30 ECTS) > Humanities (autumn) > English (autumn and/or spring) > German (autumn and/or spring) > Spanish (autumn and/or spring) > Development Studies (autumn) > Information Systems (autumn and/or spring)

COURSE PACKAGES MASTER’S LEVEL (30 ECTS) > Development Studies - online courses (autumn) > Financial Economics (autumn and/or spring) > International Management (autumn and/or spring) For students who do not have the possibility to spend a whole semester away from home, our summer school is an excellent option.

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION SUMMER SCHOOL: > History, Institutions and Policies of European Integration (10 ECTS) > Current Issues: The European Union in the world (10 ECTS) NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE > A two weeks’ summer course fully taught in Norwegian for foreign students studying Norwegian in their home countries

AN OVERVIEW IS AVAILABLE AT: www.uia.no/en/studies

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STUDE N T LIFE

STUDENT LIFE Student life is much more than reading and exams. As a student you have loads of possibilities. Regardless of what interests you have, there is always something you can do. If you like the forest, relax by the sea, love culture and the urban life, the cities of Southern Norway have it all.

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The University of Agder is a really cozy school, everybody there do everything they can to help you, they are nice people. Moreover, they have nice labs, with a lot of facilities and lots of projecs to work on. And all the teachers are nice and they will help you with the studies and exams as well. As student, you can also join the GSI sports practice, and there you can easily get in touch with locals.

I have to mention the nature, for sure. It’s so awesome. Concretely I was in Grimstad, and there you can enjoy the landscape with all the small islands, fjords and wooden red houses. Going kayaking after school is one of the best memories I have of Grimstad.

It was so relaxing and so exciting... And we even saw some seals! And just five minutes walking from the university. You will enjoy all the campus in general, the student apartments are all very close to each other so you can hang out with everybody just in a few minutes.

If you have fun with the nature, hiking, and you enjoy just sitting down and looking to the landscapes, Norway is your place.

Mireia Odena, UPC Barcelona, Spain

STUDE N T LIFE

STUDENT ACTIVITIES There are over 60 student activities at the University of Agder. Some are open for everyone, and some are for students at a specific faculty or study programme. These are called “Linjeforeninger”. stastudent.no/english/

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SiA is the welfare and cultural organization for students in the southernmost part of Norway, known as Sørlandet.

We are here to contribute to a safe and comfortable atmosphere so that students can have the best possible foundation for success.

SiA runs daycare centres, housing services and bookshops. We operate cafeterias and pubs such as Kafe Kampus, Østsia, Bluebox and the gym Spicheren, and we support festivals and 50 student organizations.

SiA is student-run, and profits are used to improve and create new services for students.

Our goal is to contribute to making Sørlandet known as the country’s best place to study.

SiA Café

SiA Bookstore

SiA Housing

SiA Culture

SiA Fitness

SiA Health

SiA Nursery

STUDE N T LIFE

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Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of the biggest interdisciplinary student associations in Europe, founded in 1989 for supporting and developing student exchange.

ESN Agder is the local section at UiA. We are active at both campuses. ESN Agder welcomes over 300 exchange students every year, and we are the providers of the buddy system at the university.

We meet the students during Pick-Up Day, assist the International Education Office, guide students during Orientation Day, and arrange social gatherings, trips, and events during the semester.

We are here for you!

Staying outside and travelling to university by kayak in the morning, where else can you do that? ERASMUS in Norway let me escape from the hurly-burly of big city life for some time and experience the whole beauty of this country. Skiing, climb- ing and hiking adventures with the friendly people I met here, made this stay unforgettable!

UiA, especially Campus Grimstad, has a very cozy atmosphere that differs a lot from my large home university.

Richard Rudat

Technical University of Dresden Germany

Is Norway expensive?

The answer to this question is: Yes, for most international students Norway is more expensive than their home country.

BUT: It is really up to yourself just HOW expensive it is.

If you choose to have food and drinks in a restaurant every day (Norwegians do not do that) then your grant and/or pocket-money will disappear really fast.

If you, on the other hand, make your own meals (maybe together with friends) then you should be able to have a great time without spending all your savings.

Here are some examples of prices in Norway: > Own room in student dormitory (incl. electricity and internet): Approx. 3500 NOK (Euro 380) per month > One bread: Approx. 25 NOK (Euro 2,6) > A kilo of potatoes: Approx. 15 NOK (Euro 1,6) > ½ kilo of butter: Approx. 24 NOK (Euro 2,5) > A litre of milk: Approx. 18 NOK (Euro 2) > The most beautiful scenery in the world: Free

Music students giving a concert outside the restaurants at the Fish Market (’Fiskebrygga’) in Kristiansand.

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NORWAY AND ‘SØRLANDET’ 12

Norway is known for its high standard of living, oil and fish exports and its natural beauty. From its spectacular mountain landscapes to the sunny coastline of the south, nature lovers enjoy breathtaking scenery, fresh air and clear water. Norway is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.

Equality is a foundation of Norwegian culture. The welfare system includes high quality health care services, free public education and affordable daycare for all children. Residents have access to social security, pensions and unemployment benefits. Norway is also recognised for gender equality. It is common for both men and women to have careers and share childcare responsibilities. Norway has one of the world’s most generous parental leave policies.

The mix of the traditional and the cutting edge is in evidence in the southernmost region of the country, called Sørlandet, where the small homesteads of the inner valleys co-exist side by side with the

advanced technologies of the offshore drilling industry. With hundreds of years of experience in international trade and shipping, Sørlandet has a solid track record of being one of the most innovative and internationally oriented parts of Norway.

Located in the mildest and sunniest part of the country, Sørlandet is the top holiday destination for Norwegians and welcomes thousands of tourists every year. While Norwegians themselves are enticed by the beautiful coastline with its small islands and summer sunshine, foreign tourists have discovered other parts of the region.

The mountains and the lowland wooded hills draw many foreign hikers, trekkers and campers. While known for its beautiful summer attractions, the region is well situated for winter tourism as well. Highstandard ski resorts and cross-country skiing facilities can be found throughout the region, and during wintertime snow can almost always be found just a short drive from campus.

>>>

The region ’Sørlandet’ is the top summer holiday destination for Norwegians.

KRISTIANSAND Kristiansand is a fast growing, modern city with a long history of trade. The city has 92 000 inhabitants and is the regional capital of business, administration and culture.

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Kristiansand grew into a major shipping port during the 18th century and is today an important regional transportation hub. Kristiansand is a modern city with a cosmopolitan history. Many Norwegians enjoy their summer holidays in the city, and tourism is an important part of the economy.

Flourishing businesses with innovative technology in and around Kristiansand attract engineers and professionals from around the world. Some of the largest companies supply the oil and gas industry, global metal markets and the renewable energy sector.

Kristiansand is also known for its cultural life and festivals. Kilden Performing Arts Centre is located on the waterfront in Kristiansand and represents the largest investment in a culture building in Norway since the Opera House in Oslo.

The Kristiansand region has a national reputation for offering high quality of life for children and teenagers. The municipality is investing heavily in daycare centres, public schools, culture and sport centres.

International education for children is available at the international school from 1st to 10th grade. It is also possible to achieve an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) at upper secondary level.

In Kristiansand your children will walk or ride their bikes to school every day with hundreds of others, and you will not need to fear for their safety.

Surrounded by picturesque scenery, from tiny rocky islands in the fjords to snow-covered mountains inland, the region can offer a rich variety of recreational activities. With an innovative industry, good infrastructure, top-notch sports venues and an active festival and fine arts community, few places in Norway can compare to Kristiansand.

Kristiansand has the advantages of a big city – without the big city stress.

>>>

www.kristiansand.no www.visitkrs.com www.kristiansand.kommune.no

Kilden Performing Arts Centre hosts all types of cultural activities, including rock and pop concerts and stand-up comedy. It houses the region’s theatre company, opera company and symphony orchestra.

CAMPUS KRISTIANSAND 16

My time at UiA was very memorable.

Between the picturesque landscape, the warm and inviting nature of the community and friendships that were made and still hold till this day, UiA will always hold a special place in my heart. I was made to feel very welcome and I hold many great memories of my semester abroad. I highly recommend UiA as it was a great university to enjoy such a life altering experience Pete Cerni Deakin University, Australia

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8500 students >>>

The campus in Kristiansand is within walking distance of the city centre.

GRIMSTAD 18

Small, white wooden houses, narrow cobbled streets, tiny cafes and bakeries are scattered around the centre of idyllic Grimstad. Ask any one of the 20 000 inhabitants in Grimstad to describe their town, and they will probably tell you about the beautiful coastline covered with islands, skerries and small tucked away beaches. Then the natives usually go on to proudly declare Grimstad’s record of most sunny days in Norway. They might even adhere to the town council marketing strategy and call Grimstad the ‘Town of Poets’.

In all honesty, few poets now occupy the small, white wooden houses, but Grimstad has a proud history. A titan of 19th century theatre, Henrik Ibsen, started writing plays while an apprentice in Grimstad. Knut Hamsun resided in Grimstad for the better part of his life, maintaining the beautiful farm ‘Nørholmen’.

Grimstad is traditionally a maritime town.

In addition to the shipping industry, Grimstad is a centre for offshore activities and technology. The campus is colocated with Grimstad’s Technology Park

www.visitgrimstad.com www.grimstad.kommune.no

which is home to many innovative small businesses, particularly telecom and technology companies. An international school from 1st to 10th grade and International Baccalaureate at upper secondary level are established in Arendal, 20 minutes from Grimstad.

The campus buildings were completed in 2010. The view from campus is breathtaking, and the facilities are top-notch.

They include a simulated hospital and smart house where the Centre for eHealth is developing ways to exploit technology to help care for the elderly and disabled.

The campus represents a unique model in Norway as it was developed in cooperation with one of Grimstad’s most prominent entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Grimstad continues to develop and grow, with plans to expand the campus even further in close cooperation with industrial and local partners. A motion laboratory is recently established in cooperation with the Norwegian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy, and external companies and research institutions are invited to use the facilities for experiments.

>>> Grimstad is a small, idyllic town with a knowledgebased working life.

CAMPUS GRIMSTAD 20

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3500 students >>>

The campus in Grimstad was built in cooperation with local enterprise and is a symbol of innovation in the region.

FACILITIES Modern design on consolidated campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad provides an excellent environment for learning.

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The Kristiansand campus buildings are enclosed by park grounds and have a sleek, contemporary design. The campus is close to recreational areas and in walking distance of the city centre.

The sport facilities are very good, with a training centre on campus and a lot of outdoor options. The university has a comprehensive art collection which includes the largest San Francisco Beat Art collection outside the USA. The top-notch facilities at Campus Grimstad include a media production studio, a simulated hospital, advanced laboratories and a smart house for technology testing. Classroom and auditorium facilities on both campuses are designed for use by large and small groups of students, resulting in a versatile environment and an intimate study atmosphere.

Both campuses have attractive daycare centres for children of students and university staff. Student housing is of high quality and many of the buildings are on or close to the campuses. The cafeteria is ranked as the most popular student cafeteria in the nation year after year.

The library has an extensive collection of books and includes a wide selection of digital information resources and databases. The library system provides access to the holdings of most of the other academic libraries in Norway, including approximately 300 000 book volumes onsite and access to 18 500 periodical journals. The computer service desk is open 12 hours a day and both students and staff receive excellent help.

Both campuses are within walking distance of the city centres, yet only meters away from both beaches and forests for running, climbing, biking, hiking, swimming and other activities.

>>> Students on both campuses enjoy modern facilities.

Europe

CAMPUSES: KRISTIANSAND 9 000 students

GRIMSTAD: 3 500 students

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE: int-office@uia.no uia.no/exchange