INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Survival Guide 2016/17

TABLE OF CONTENTSWELCOME TO BI 3• BI at a glance

PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS 4–5• Entry visa/study permit• Checklist pre-departure• Bank transfer to BI• Health and travel insurance

HOUSING 6

GETTING THERE AND AROUND 7

ON ARRIVAL REGISTRATIONS 8–9• Checklist on arrival• Student card• Registration scheme EU/EEA• Non-EU citizens• National Registry• General Practitioner• Tuberculosis test• Work permit and tax deduction card• Open a bank account• Mobile phone

ACADEMICS 10–11• Workload• Course descriptions• Coursework requirements• Continuous assessment• Course registration• Academic calendar• Examinations• Student portal @BI• Tuition fees• Norwegian language course

ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES 12• Student Service Centre• IT services• Library• Bookshop• Food and drink• Kroa• ATM• BI Career Services• Student gym – Nydalen Athletica• Student health services• Calculator• Grading scale

PRACTICALITIES 13• Business hours• Groceries• Things for your room• Electricity• Post packages to Norway• Public holidays• Norwegian law

STUDENT LIFE 14• Student Partner• Guidance and counselling• University Chaplain• Binner – International dinner• Room of faith and reflection• Special needs

GET INVOLVED 15• BI student union – SBIO• Buddy system• Students sports• International Students Association – InSA • Graduate Students’ Society – GSS• Bachelor of Business Administration – BBA• Chateau Neuf

DISCOVER OSLO 16

EXPLORE NORWAY 17

NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE 18

CULTURAL ADVICE 19• Addressing people• Being late• Social convention• Common courtesy• Service charge• Climate and clothing

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 20

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BI AT A GLANCEFrom a single-man-initiative in a private kitchen, BI Norwegian Business School has developed into an internationally recognized and accredited research-oriented institution. Today, BI hosts one of Europe’s most pro-ductive academic environments in the areas of business economics and administration, marketing and management.

The three international accreditations EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB give BI the highly prestigious Triple Crown status, as one of only 70 business schools world wide.

Four study locations across Norway and close to 20 000 students make BI one of the largest higher education institutions in the country. All interna-tional programmes are situated in Oslo.

With a wide range of high-quality study programmes taught in English, BI attracts international students from across the world. At Oslo campus, some 9 000 Norwegian and international students enjoy our state-of-the-art learning and teaching facilities, engaging faculty and close relations to the Norwegian business sector.

OUR STUDY PROGRAMMES IN ENGLISH:Bachelor of Business Administration(major in International Business; Shipping Management;or Finance)

Master of Science in Business (major in Economics; Finance;Marketing; Leadership and Change; Strategy; Logistics,Operations and Supply Chain Management; Business Law,Tax and Accounting; or International Business)

Master of Science in Finance

Master of Science in Strategic Marketing Management

Master of Science in Leadership and Organisational Psychology

Read more about BI at bi.edu/about-BI

WELCOME TO BICongratulations on your decision to study at BI Norwegian Business School!Whether you are coming to Oslo for one semester or several years, we sincerely hope you will enjoy your stay. We will be here to support you along the way, but we leave it to you to make the most of it. Besides your studies, we encourage you to be active - participate in student associations, get to know Oslo and explore the rest of Norway as well.

In this Survival Guide you will fi nd practical information about studying at BI, as well as advice and guidelines for living in Norway.

- The International Offi ce, the Bachelor Department and the MSc Department

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EU/EEA AND SWISS CITIZENSCitizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can enter Norwayon the basis of their Passport or EU Identity Card. They do not need to apply for å permit in advance, but must register online when they arrive in Norway. See p. 8 for further information about the EU Registration Scheme.

NON-EU/EEA CITIZENSCitizens of countries outside the EU/EEA area must apply for a studypermit (and entry visa is applicable) for Norway in advance. It is your responsibility to obtain the correct study permit (and entry visa). Case processing time is up to three months, so you are advised to apply as soon as possible after receiving your Admission Letter/Study Contract from BI.

Visit udi.no to learn about the application process. Please note that the procedures diff er according to your country of citizenship as well as your current country of residence. Use the Application Guide to fi nd out how to apply for the correct permit.

When you arrive in Norway you must report to the Police. Read more about the procedures on p. 8 (On Arrival Registrations)

ENTRY VISA AND STUDY PERMIT

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLISTI have… ❑ checked that my personal information is correct in the

Admission Letter (as written in my passport) ❑ signed and returned my Study Contract (degree seeking

students)❑ deposited money into the BI bank account (non-EU/EEA

degree seeking students) (p.5)❑ applied for a study permit (if applicable) (this page)❑ submitted the Pre-Application for Housing (if applicable) (p.6)❑ signed and returned the housing contract to BSN/SiO ❑ registered for courses (exchange students) (p. 10)❑ booked a fl ight to Oslo! ❑ valid health and travel insurance (p. 5)❑ signed up for the Arrival Service at Oslo Central Station❑ notifi ed BI of my late arrival (if applicable) ❑ started practicing my Norwegian (p. 18)

A permit is required for all students* who intend to stay in Norway for more than three months. Diff erent rules and procedures apply (see below). Consult your Admission Letter/Study Contract for detailed information.*except for citizens of Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Iceland.

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Students are responsible for having valid health- and travel insurance du-ring their stay in Norway. All students must have valid travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

EU/EEA AND SWISS CITIZENSYou must have valid health insurance for the total duration of your stay in Norway (European Health Insurance Card or equivalent). You are advised to have valid travel insurance from your home country covering the same period.

The European Health Insurance Card entitles you to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare under the same conditions and at the same cost as Norwegian citizens. You are not entitled to reimbursement of medical fees. Please note that you are only covered in Norway – not while travelling to or from Norway, nor on travels abroad during your stay. Dental care is not covered. Medicines or treatment of illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.

In Norway for more than 12 monthsIf you are staying in Norway for more than one year you will automatically become member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, when you register your move to Norway (p. 9)

The membership entitles you to medically necessary, state-provided healt-hcare under the same conditions and at the same cost as Norwegian citizens.

Please note that you are only covered in Norway – not while travellingto and from Norway, or on travels abroad. Dental care and medicinesor treatment of illnesses contracted before arrival in Norway are not covered.

In Norway for less than 12 monthsIf you are staying in Norway for less than three months you must obtain medical insurance from your home country for the total duration of your stay.

Degree seeking students outside of EU/EEADegree seeking students from non-EU/EEA countries must deposit a given amount into the BI bank account for immigration purposes. Consult your Study Contract for further information. Exchange students do not need to transfer money.

Bank transfer details:BI Norwegian Business SchoolNydalsveien 37, 0442 Oslo, Norway.Account number 8200.01.39838Swift-/BIC code: DNBANOKKXXX IBAN number: NO1182000139838 Address: DNB Bank ASA, 0021 Oslo, Norway

Remember to mark the payment with your full name and BI study pro-gramme (MSc, BBA, Double Degree or Exchange).

The SWIFT code and IBAN code can be used for electronic payments. Con-tact your local bank for details. Your bank must confirm that the funds are personal, including your name on the transfer documents, and are to cover expenses related to your study period at BI Norwegian Business School.

The money will be available for you upon arrival in Norway. It can be with-ws drawn by contacting your programme administration in C3, or transfer-red to a Norwegian bank account.

Some students may be able to open a Norwegian bank account. (See p. 9)

HEALTH- AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

BANK TRANSFER TO BI

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HOUSINGBI Norwegian Business School assists exchange students and first year in-ternational degree seeking students with finding student accommodation. To benefit from BI’s assistance, you must fill in a pre-application for housing at bi.edu/housing. Please read all the information carefully before submit-ting the pre-application form.

Student accommodation is usually the cheapest housing option in Oslo. It is also a good way to meet other students. Dormitories are spread out across the city – some are situated close to campus; others are closer to the city centre, or offer direct access to the nature areas surrounding Oslo. Prices and facilities vary (see table below).

BI cooperates with three student housing providers:

Diakonhjemmethas a wide range of different units in the attractive area between Majorstuen and Vinderen in Oslo West.

BSN NydalenBSN Nydalen is located only a few minutes walk from campus, and offers housing primarily for BI students. On-site facilities include a squash court, a roof terrace, broadband Internet and cable-TV connection.

SiO – The Foundation for Student Welfare in Oslo and AkershusSiO provides affordable student housing for students in Oslo. SiO has more than 7 500 rooms and apartments at different rates and locations across Oslo.

Questions regarding housing can be directed to BI’s housing office: housing@bi.no. You can also find useful information on bi.edu/housing.

HOW IS MY ROOM EQUIPPED?You will have to bring your own duvet, pillow, bed sheets and towels. In addition, you will have to buy pots, pans and cutlery. Sometimes there are leftover kitchen utilities etc. from previous students in your room. See p. 13 for information on where to purchase necessary items for your room.

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONPrivate accommodation is usually more expensive than student dormito-ries, and can be difficult to find. The price for renting a one-bedroom apartment in Oslo is minimum NOK 7 000-10 000. Many students choose to share a flat with other students (usually 2-4 people). Expect to pay NOK 5 000–7 000 per month for a decent room.

You can search for private accommodation online:hybel.no (information in English available)finn.no/eiendom (information in Norwegian only)

WHERE IS BI LOCATED?

SiO BSN Diakonhjemmet

Website sio.no/housing bsn.no/endiakonhjemmet.no/foundation/Housing

Location5-40 minutes by public transport from campus

5-10 minutes walk from campus

20 minutes by public transport from campus.

RentDecent room NOK 3000 - 5000* per month

NOK 4700-5500* per month

NOK 4400* per month

Deposit NOK 3.000 - 8.000* One month’s rent One month’s rent

Electricity Fixed or as con-sumed

As consumed. Fixed amount for hot water (120 NOK* a month)

Included in rent

Furniture Bed, closets, chair and desk

Bed, closets, bookshelf, chair and desk

Bed, desk, book shelf, closet and a sink

Kitcheware No No No

Bed linen, pillows & blankets No No No

RoomsPrivate bedrooms. Shared bathroom and kitchen.

Apartment with two private bedrooms. Two pe-ople share kitchen and bathroom.

Private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom

Internet Yes Yes Yes

SIO VS BSN AND DIAKONHJEMMET

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Oslo can be reached by car, ferry, train, bus or plane. The main international airport is Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL). All trains (including the Airport Express Train) ar-rive at Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), while buses arrive at Oslo Bus Terminal. Ferries arrive from Germany, Sweden and Denmark close to the city centre.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTPublic transport is the most convenient way to travel within Oslo. The ex-tensive – but easily maneuvered – transport system includes trains, buses, ferries, trams (trikk) and metro (T-bane). With a valid ticket, you can switch between the means of transport as you please within a given period of time. The whole metro network is located within zone 1.

See ruter.no/en to plan your journey.

TICKETS AND RATESTickets are best bought in advance to avoid an additional fee. Tickets are available from ticket machines, convenience stores and kiosks such as Narvesen, 7-Eleven and Deli de Luca, service points at various stations and the bus terminal, or from the customer service centre ”Trafikanen”, outside the Central Station. Look for the Ruter logo to find the nearest point of sale. You can also purchase tickets with your smart phone with the app “RuterBillett”.

A single ticket within Oslo is valid for one hour and costs NOK 32 (NOK 50 if purchased on board). A 24 hour ticket is NOK 90. Prices are subject to change. Remember to validate your ticket at the beginning of the journey!

STUDENT TICKETA monthly student travel pass costs NOK 414, and is available for 30 days from the first validation. The ticket is only valid when used together with your valid student ID card (see p. 8 for information about the student ID card). The age limit is 30. Students below 20 can purchase a monthly youth ticket for NOK 345.

TICKET CONTROLS AND FEESPlease be aware that there are periodic controls on all public transportation. If you are caught without a valid ticked the fine is NOK 950 if you pay on the spot or NOK 1.150 if you need an invoice to be sent to you.

HOW TO GET TO BIBI campus is situated in Nydalen, North of the city centre, and easily reached by metro, bus and tram. The address is Nydalsveien 37, 0484 Oslo.

Metro (T-bane): Metro is the easiest way to reach BI from the city centre. Lines 3 Storo and 4 Ringen take you to Nydalen in approx. 12 minutes. Cross the street, and you will find yourself in front of the main entrance of BI.

Bus: Bus number 37 stops right outside BI’s main entrance. Bus number 30 stops in front of the Eastern entrance (stop: Gullhaugveien). Both busses run to and from the city centre (Jernbanetorget/Central Station).

Tram: Lines 11, 12 and 13 take you to Storo, a five minute walk from BI.

BIKINGIn spring, summer and autumn bicycle is a good option to get around Oslo. Bicycles can be bought in all major sportswear stores and specialised bicycle stores. You can also check www.finn.no for used bikes. Make sure to always lock your bike carefully as theft is common.

For a seasonal fee of NOK 299, the blue Oslo City Bikes (bysykkel) are available to you at more than 299 different locations in and around the city centre. You can use any bike for up to three hours between 06:00-24:00 every day. Pick it up at one location and return it at another as you please.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

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ON ARRIVAL REGISTRATIONS

STUDENT ID CARDYour personal BI student ID card is used as proof of identity at exams and with the BI administration. It also makes you eligible for student discounts on public transport. You can use it to borrow books in the library on cam-pus, to pay for snacks from the vending machines, for printing and copying.

The card is only valid with the correct semester tag. Please note that the student ID card is not valid as proof of identity outside of BI.

Have your picture taken for your student ID card in the Student Service Centre in U1 on your fi rst day at BI.

EU/EEA CITIZENS: REGISTRATION SCHEMECitizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland must register online at https://selfservice.udi.no when they arrive in Norway, and present their papers to the Service Centre for Foreign Workers, Oslo.

You can submit your documents to the BI study administration within a given date at the beginning of the semester. Information about this will be provided at the beginning of the semester. We will send the documents to the authorities so you do not have to go to the Service Centre in person.

Please submit the following documents within the given deadline: • Copy of valid passport or EU identity card (both sides)• European Health Insurance Card (both sides) or private health

insurance documentation that is valid for the whole duration of your stay in Norway

• Personal declaration stating that you have suffi cient funds/fi nancial means to support yourself during your stay in Norway

You will be notifi ed when your Registration Certifi cate can be picked up from the Student Service Center in U1.

Late arrivers: If you did not submit your documents to the study administration within the deadline, you must go to the Service Centrefor Foreign Workers in person (address below). You must book an appoint-ment in advance by choosing the Service Centre for Foreign Workers in Oslo at the end of your online registration. Bring your BI Admission Letter in addition to the documents listed above to your appointment.

NON-EU/EEA CITIZENSYou must report to the Police in person when you arrive in Norway.To do so you need to book an appointment. The Oslo Police will be present at BI on a given day in the Introduction Week to help you with the booking. At your appointment they will take your picture and fi nger prints for your Residence Card, which will be sent to BI, where you can pick it up. If you arrive late, you need to book an appointment yourself. If you ap-plied for a study permit online, you can book an appointment by logging into your application again. If you did not apply for a study permit online, you must call the Police to make an appointment (see contact information below).

SKATT ØSTService center for foreign workers, tax offi ce, national registry.Address: Skatt Øst, Schweigaardsgate 17, desks no. 22 – 25Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 14:30

OSLO POLICE, DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATIONUtlendingsavsnittet.Address: Schweigaardsgate 15 BPhone: +47 22 34 21 00 (open Mon-Thurs 09:00-13:00 local time)

ON ARRIVAL CHECKLIST❑ Register with the immigration authorities (p. 4 and this page)❑ Staying for more than six months? - Register your move to Norway from abroad and obtain a

Norwegian identity number (fødselsnummer) (p. 9) - Choose a General Practitioner (p. 9) - Open a bank account (p. 9)❑ Have your picture taken for your student ID card (this page)❑ Update your address and mobile phone number on @BI

(p. 11)❑ Attend the welcome and information meetings❑ Check your schedule on @BI (p.11)❑ Log on to @BI to access your interactive classrooms on

It’s Learning (p. 11)❑ Take the mandatory Tuberculosis test (citizens of certain

countries only. See p.9)

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NATIONAL REGISTRY – ALL STUDENTS IN NORWAY FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHSAll students staying in Norway for more than 6 months must register with the National Registry (Folkeregisteret) once their Residence Card (non-EU/EEA) or Registration Certificate (EU/EEA) has been issued:• Fill out the form “Notification of move to Norway from abroad”

(Available online or from the BI Student Reception area in C3)• Go to Skatt Øst (address p. 8), and submit the following: - the form “Notification of move to Norway from abroad” - BI Admission Letter - Residence Card (non-EU/EEA) or Registration Certificate (EU/EEA) - Housing contract

You do not need to book an appointment in advance for this.

After registering, you will receive a letter by post, stating your Norwegian identity number (fødselsnummer). You need this number to open a bank account, or apply for a tax deduction card if you get a part time job (see p.9).

GENERAL PRACTITIONEROnly applicable to students staying more than six months. After registering with the National Registry you will also receive a letter from HELFO (in Norwegian), requesting you to choose a General Practitioner (doctor, GP, fastlege). If you choose the Student Health Services in Oslo (SiO) as your GP, you may be eligible for a refund of certain medical expenses. Read more on www.sio.no/health

MANDATORY TUBERCULOSIS TESTNorwegian law requires citizens of certain countries with high occurrence of tuberculosis who will reside in Norway for more than three months to take a tuberculosis test and chest x-ray within two weeks of arrival. The examination is free of charge. Further information will be provided upon arrival.

WORK PERMIT AND TAX DEDUCTION CARDYour study permit is also a part-time work permit. As a full time student you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full time during holidays. If you do not know any Norwegian, your best chances of finding a job is in the service sector (hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and tourist shops).

You are required to have a tax deduction card when you work in Norway. The tax deduction card shows how much your employer should deduct from your salary.You can request a tax card from Skatt Øst (Oslo Tax Office) once you have a job offer, by bringing your work contract and your Resi-dence Card/Registration Certificate to their office. Contact details: see p. 8.

If you get a job, your employer will expect you to have a Norwegian bank account, into which they can transfer your salary. It is customary to give your bank account number to your employer upon employment.

OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT In Norway for more than six months? Students staying in Norway for more than six months, may choose to open a Norwegian bank account.

To open a bank account, you must wait until you have your Norwegian Identity Number (fødselsnummer). Bring documentation as well as your passport to any bank.

Note that some banks are unwilling to take on foreign students as customers.

In Norway for one semester only? Banks are usually not willing to open a bank account for you. Before leaving for Norway, make sure you check the conditions for using your card abroad, and especially in Norway.

MOBILE PHONEIf you have an unlocked GSM mobile phone, you can bring it with you and purchase a Norwegian SIM card.

Pre-paid cards are easily available in kiosks and convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Narvesen. A monthly subscription requires that you have a Norwegian ID-number (i.e staying in Norway for more than six months).

Basic phones with a subscription or a pre-paid card are readily avail-able at a reasonable price. Mobile phones can be bought in stores that sell electrical equipment or in telecommunication stores.

Please remember to register your Norwegian phone number on @BI, as the administration sometimes sends out text messages (SMS) to inform you of cancellations in your lecturers, etc.

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Norway is one of the leading countries conforming to the guidelines from the Bologna Process in European higher education. The degree system based on the Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. structure has been successfully implemented, together with the ECTS credits system.

Lectures are the most common way of teaching at BI. Students will experi-ence varying degrees of interaction between the Professor/lecturer (who is commonly addressed by his/her first name) and the students during the lectures. Classes normally meet once or twice a week, in 2 or 3 x 45 minute long lecturers. Classes vary in size.

BI is at the forefront in digitalization of higher education. Faculty is en-couraged to implement the use of modern information technology and innovative methods in their teaching. Interactive classrooms on its learning supplement the lectures and seminars.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONSThe course description serves as a “contract” between the student, the lec-turer and the administration at BI. For each course, it describes what each of the three “parties” can expect from each other: course outline; learning outcome; required course material; pre-requisites; methods of teaching and assessment; and exam support materials.

Exchange students are required to read the course descriptions for each course carefully, and make sure they fulfil the prerequisites before signing up for a course.

Course descriptions for all courses can be found on @BI.

WORK LOADA full-semester workload at BI is 30 ECTS credits. Master level courses account for 6 ECTS credits. Most Bachelor level courses account for 7,5 ECTS credits.

Coursework requirementsMost Bachelor level courses have assignments or tasks to be submitted during the semester. The right to take an examination depends on fulfilled coursework requirements. You forfeit the right to take an examination if the required coursework has not been completed and submitted by the set deadline, or if the papers handed in are not approved.

You are also responsible for submitting the coursework requirement within the given deadline, and in the right interactive classroom on itslearning (through the student portal @BI – see opposite page). The course descrip-tions contain information on coursework requirements.

Continuous assessmentSome Master level courses have continuous assessment. This means that certain activities must be completed during the semester, in order to re-ceive a course grade. The course description will explain which activities the students must complete.

COURSE REGISTRATIONDegree-seeking studentsAll courses are mandatory in the first year of the programme (Bachelor/Master), and students are registered for courses automatically.

Exchange studentsYou can choose freely from the list of courses offered to exchange stu-dents (available on @BI), as long as you fulfill the prerequisites. You register for courses online before the semester starts. You will receive detailed information about this from the International Office.

ACADEMICS

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ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2016-2017The academic year at BI Norwegian Business School is divided into two semesters: Autumn and Spring.

Autumn semester: 15 August to 22 December 2016Spring semester: 9 January to 22 June 2017

EXAMINATIONSThe exam periods are in November/December (autumn semester) and in May/June (spring semester). You will automatically be registered for the exams of the courses you are enrolled in. The exam schedule for the autumn semester will be available online in September. The exam schedule for the spring semester is normally available in December/January. Your personal exam schedule will be available on the student portal @BI as well.

Degree-seeking students: You can withdraw from, or change your exa-minations on @BI. The deadline for making changes is 1 October in the autumn semester and 1 March in the spring semester.

Exchange students: If you want to withdraw from a course or an exam, please notify the International Office as early as possible.

CALCULATORAn advanced calculator is permitted as supporting material for certain exams. The only accepted advanced calculator for examinations at BI is the Texas Instruments BAII Plus (TIBA II Plus). Bring your own, purchase one at the Akademika Bookshop on campus, or borrow one from the Student Service Centre on a daily basis.

GRADING SCALEBI uses the ECTS grading system. The grade scale is A (highest) through F (fail), with E as the lowest passing grade. Some examinations are graded with Pass/Fail. The evaluation terms used for the grading scale are as fol-lows: A ExcellentB Very goodC GoodD SatisfactoryE SufficientF Failed

Exam information online: atbi.no/en – choose Student Information – Examination from the top menu.

STUDENT PORTAL @BIThe online student portal @BI is your main source of information at BI. You will receive a personal username and password. Log in to access:• your BI student e-mail• your personal course list• your schedule • your interactive class rooms (its learning – see below)• exam enrolment, dates and status• your grades• important information from the administration

ITS LEARNINGAccessed through @BI, its learning provides interactive classrooms for each of your courses. Course materials, updates from the Professors and the ad-ministration, as well as mandatory assignments, coursework requirements etc. will be posted here. This is also where you hand in (upload) your course assignments.

All students are required to keep up to date on information posted about their courses on its learning.

TUITION FEESDegree seeking students will receive an invoice for the autumn semester tuition fees in August/September. The invoice for the spring semester is is-sued in December. Exchange Students do not pay tuition fees to BI.

NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE COURSELearning the Norwegian language is the key to success in Norway! BI offers Norwegian language courses to international students each semester. The course is not part of BI’s curriculum, and does not give any credits.

Registration is done online at the beginning of the semester, and requires the online payment of a course fee of NOK 2000 (subject to change). There are limited seats available.

Teaching time is 2 hours and 45 minutes twice a week for eight weeks. The course is conluded with an oral and written exam.

More information about the Norwegian language course will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

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The purpose-built building from 2005 provides an exciting and inspiring learning and teaching environment. The building is covered by a glass cei-ling and comprises four blocks on seven levels. With a range of connections between them, the building might come across as a modern maze. Ho-wever, you will soon feel at home and easily fi nd your way.

To locate your destination, the fi rst letter (A, B, C or D) and the following number (0-7) will help you: For example, the BI study administration (inclu-ding the International Offi ce, Bachelor- and Master administration, Exam Offi ce and Careers Service) can be found in C3 – meaning C-block, 3rd fl oor.

THE STUDENT SERVICE CENTREThe Student Service Centre (SSC) is located in U1 (in Oasen). The SSC can help you with: • Student ID card• information about SiO (the Student Welfare Organisation in Oslo), • preliminary transcripts of grades• submissions of term papers, projects and thesis • password and username• general student information

IT SERVICESStudent IT advisors are located next to the Student Service Centre in U1 and in the Library. They can also be contacted through the Facebook group “BIT Support”

There are 200 workstations located in hallways and PC labs across campus, in addition to 350 workstations in the library. All work stations are con-nected to laser printers. Wireless network connection is also available. You can connect a laptop to BI’s network by wireless connection or a normal Ethernet card.

THE LIBRARYBI’s library occupies 6500 sqare meters in the 5th and 6th fl oors of the BI building. The 1400 study places include group rooms with AV equipment, as well as comfortable chairs where you can relax and admire the view over Oslo.

The Library off ers:• Books, periodicals, papers and databases• 480 individual reading places• 320 open plan group workplaces for students• 46 group rooms and 8 AV rooms• 350 PC workplaces • Social zones with 250 seats• Courses and guidance

Read more on bi.edu/library

FOOD AND DRINKBI does not off er a meal plan, but on-campus kiosks, coff ee shops and a canteen off ering fresh, healthy and aff ordable food all day long, will help battle your hunger and thirst.

KROA – STUDENT PUB Since October 2013 Kroa has been the hang out and meeting place of BI students. It is the perfect place for a break after a long day of studies.

BOOKSHOPThere is a book shop, Akademika, on Campus. Akademika stocks all books on the compulsory literature lists in addition to fi ction, stationary, gift arti-cles and more.

ATMThere is an ATM for cash withdrawals in Oasen (U1).

BI CAREERS SERVICEBI Careers Service off ers comprehensive services to BI students, whether they are in the process of applying for jobs or just curious on how to meet the labour market at the end of their studies. Some of their services are CV and application check, job search course, career counseling, career days and more. The BI Careers Services is located in C3. For more information, see bi.edu/career.

STUDENT GYM – NYDALEN ATHLETICA Located in D2, Nydalen Athletica is one of four student gyms in Oslo, run by SiO. Unlimited access to the fi tness studios and a variety of group lessons for costs NOK 1025 for three months and NOK 1450 for six months. (sub-ject to change). See sio.no/en/sports for more information.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELLINGSiO provides extensive health services to students in Oslo.

The doctor’s offi ce on BI campus (D2) is open Mon – Fri 08:15–15:00. To make an appointment, call +47 23 21 53 80. For on-campus emergency medical assistance, call +47 23 21 53 90.

Psychologist and psychiatrist services, as well as dental care are available at the SiO Student Health Services at the University of Oslo (Blindern).

Please see sio.no/health for information about the full off er of the SiO Student Health Services.

ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES

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BUSINESS HOURSSupermarkets are normally open from 08:00 or 09:00 until 22:00 on weekdays and until 20:00 on Saturdays. Shops in major shopping areas (Karl Johans gate and Bogstadveien) are open until around 18:00 on weekdays (some have longer opening hours on Thursdays) and until 16:00 or 18:00 on Saturdays. Shopping malls are normally open until 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays.

Shops are closed on Sundays and on public holidays, with the exception of some smaller food stores and convenience stores/kiosks like 7-Eleven, Narvesen and Deli de Luca.

Banks are normally open from 09:00-15:00 Monday-Friday. Some have longer opening hours on Thursdays. Government offices are normally open Mon-Fri between 09:00 and 15:00/16:00, but hours may vary.Many museums are closed on Mondays.

GROCERIESThe least expensive grocery stores are Rema 1000 and Kiwi. They offer a basic selection of groceries, toiletries, etc. Head for Grønland, east of the city centre, to find Turkish, Pakistani and south-east Asian grocery stores with good selections of vegetables, fruit and international food at a low-price.

THINGS FOR YOUR ROOMIKEA is the largest and cheapest place to buy furniture, bed linen, decora-tions, kitchenware, textiles and more. There are two IKEA in the Oslo area – Furuset and Slependen . A free shuttle bus leaves every half an hour from a stop nearby the Central Station.

ELECTRICITYEuropean continental style two-pin plugs are standard in Norway. Voltage is 220 V AC, 50 Hz. Appliances rated US 110V need a transformer.

POST PACKAGES TO NORWAYPackages sent to Norway must have your accurate address with your street name, house number, flat/room number and preferably a phone number where you can be reached written on it. Make sure you have your name on the mail box or you will not receive mail. If you live together with someone the address must include c/o and this person’s name as indicated on the mailbox.

For declaration purposes through customs, be sure to list contents as “used personal belongings” when sending clothing, textbooks etc. We do not recommend using express mail services for this purpose, as there are rather steep, unexpected charges for clearing it through customs.

Medication, cigarettes or alcohol should under no circumstances be sent by post.

Please note that Norway is not part of the EU and goods bought online from any country and shipped to Norway can be subject to custom charges and 25% tax on top of the purchase price. Goods with a value under NOK 350 including shipping costs, and books of any value are exempt from tax and customs.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYSNorwegian national holidays may differ slightly from what you are used to. On these days most commercial businesses are closed, and you can expect irregular public transport schedules.

2016 2017 New Year’s Day 1 JanuaryPalm Sunday 20 March 9 AprilMaundy Thursday 24 March 13 AprilGood Friday 25 March 14 AprilEaster Sunday 27 March 16 AprilEaster Monday 28 March 17 AprilLabour day 1 MayAscension Day 5 May 25 MayConstitution Day 17 MayWhit Sunday 15 May 4 JuneWhit Monday 16 May 5 JuneChristmas Day 25 DecemberBoxing Day 26 December

SMOKINGIn Norway the law restricts smoking. The law prohibits smoking in all public buildings like the BI Campus, cinemas, municipal offices, railway stations etc. It is also prohibited to smoke in restaurants, bars and cafés all over Norway. Do not expect to be reminded by signs.

BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS A state-owned monopoly chain, called Vinmonopolet, controls the sale of wine and hard liquors. Beer can be bought in food stores until 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays. It is not allowed to purchase beer in shops on Sundays.

The age limit for buying beer and wine is 18. For buying hard liquors the minimum age requirement is 20. If you are under 25, you are expected to show your ID without being requested when buying alcohol.

DRUGSPlease note that use of any kind of drugs/narcotics is illegal in Norway. Drug offences may result in a jail sentence and deportation.

PRACTICALITIES

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STUDENT LIFEBeing a student is not only about your studies! The stu-dent environment at BI – and in Oslo – is active, inspiring and including. We encourage you to participate! It will not only enrichen your Norwegian experience, but we believe it will make you a better student as well.

STUDENT PARTNERStudent Partner ensures your access to student welfare services, mainly through our partnership with SiO – the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo. BI students are automatically members of SiO. Their services include stu-dent sports and fitness centres, health care and student housing. See sio.no

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLINGStudent Partner also focuses on improving your student life through guid-ance and counselling. They offer courses on study techniques, and advice to help you achieve your amibitions.

UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN Feelings, future, past and faith are all important parts of life. If you want to reflect upon your life, the University Chaplain is here for you regardless of faith. He knows about the different faith communities in Oslo and can help you find yours while you are here. You can make an appointment by e-mail: studentprest@bi.no.

BI-NNER – INTERNATIONAL DINNER AT BIThe international dinner – BI-nner – has quickly grown into a successful tradition at BI. Once a month, we now offer a free meal for up to 350 in-ternational and Norwegian students! Volunteers cook the meal, which we then enjoy together. We invite you to “like” the page “BI-nner” on Facebook to receive updates about upcoming BI-nner events

ROOM OF FAITH AND REFLECTIONBI students have access to the Room of Faith and Reflection. This is a quiet space for reflection, meditation or prayer, located in D1.

SPECIAL NEEDSDo you have a disability, illness or injury that requires special on-campus adaptations? Please contact Student Partner as early as possible, and we will help you find the best solution to cover your needs.

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The best way to get to know local students, is by joining a student society. Norwegians tend to socialize through organized activitites. Therefore, you may not get to know people on the bus, but you will definitely get to know someone if you join a club or association.

SBIO – BI STUDENT UNIONThe BI student union, SBIO, is created for and by students, and consists of a wide range of sub-groups and associations, including academic associations (one for each study programme), interest committees (sports, politics, business, finance, hunting, outdoor life), special projects and events (career events, sports events, Buddy programme for new students) and much more. Many associations are open for international students. Read more about SBIO online: sbio.no

BUDDY SYSTEM FOR NEW STUDENTSThe BI Buddy system for new Bachelor students is called Fadderullan. During the first weeks of the semester experienced students volunteer as Buddies to welcome the new students. Through concerts, parties and other social activities students will get to know campus, Oslo and each other. New students will automatically be assigned a Buddy group at se-mester start.

STUDENT SPORTSBI Athletics is part of SBIO, and offers a range of sports related activities for BI students. BI Athletics represents BI in various student championships and they have active teams in sports like lacrosse, rowing, football, basketball and activities like dancing, kiting and scuba diving.

OSI is an overall sports association for Oslo students. Whichever sports ac-tivity you are interested in, you will find a sub-group to join.

See osi.no for further information.

INSA – INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATIONInSA contributes to the integration of international and Norwegian stu-dents on campus, through various social activities. Join their trips around Norway and other Nordic countries, movie nights, parties, sight-seeing in Oslo and other events to get to know your fellow students. Read more about InSA on their website: insa.sbio.no

GSS – GRADUATE STUDENTS’ SOCIETY GSS contributes to the social and academic life of Master of Science degree seeking and -exchange students at BI. GSS arranges various social events for students to get acquainted with each other, build friendships and have fun during their stay at BI. They also provide opportunities to meet the Nor-wegian business community through business presentation events. The MSc study programmes each have their own programme association as well.

BBA – BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONBachelor of Business Administration students have their own student orga-nisation called BBA. The organisation is a liason between the administration and the students of the programme. They organise trips, parties and activities for full time and exchange Bachelor students alike.

CHATEAU NEUFThe large concrete buidling situated at Majorstuen is home to the Nor-wegian Student Society (DNS).Chateau Neuf is open Monday through Saturday, and offers food and beverages as well as concerts, plays, parties, debates, movies and much more at student friendly prices. Active mem-bers can join more than 30 associations and subgroups.

GET INVOLVED

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DISCOVER OSLOSituated between the forest and the fjord, Oslo offers a great variety of activities and scenery. You can start the day eating breakfast on the beach while watching the sunrise, enjoy the throbbing city life and vast arrays of cafés, restaurants, galleries and shopping facilities downtown during the day, and at night sit around a bonfire with your friends in the woods over-looking the city.

Oslo is big enough for all this to happen, but still small enough for you to do it all in a day!

The capital of Norway is home to some 60 000 students, and offers the perfect backdrop for you to lead an exciting and fulfilling student life. Wha-tever your passion, you will find other students with the same interests. Or maybe you want to take this opportunity to engage in something comple-tely new and different?

Learn more about Oslo on visitoslo.com

CONCERTS AND FESTIVALSIf you enjoy live music, Oslo is definitely the city for you! Any day of the week is a good day for a musical experience in this capital of music. Enjoy international acclaimed artists or discover new talents within any genre. Different concert venues are located across the city. Check out venues like Parkteatret, Blå, Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, Rockefeller and the Norwe-gian Academy of Music. www.billettservice.no is a good page for tickets. Oslo is also a great city for festivals.

URBAN AREASNydalenBI campus is located in Nydalen, an old industrial area located next to the river Akerselva, North of the city centre. Today it is an up-and-coming part of the city with modern architecture, thriving businesses and vast possibi-lities for shopping and leisure. Storo Shopping Centre, only a few minutes walk from BI, has a range of shops to cover all your needs.

A forty minute stroll along the mentioned Akerselva will take you through charming neighbourhoods down to the Oslo Fjord in the city centre. Within a forty minutes walk in the opposite direction lies the beautiful Nordmarka, the forest area surrounding Oslo to the North.

City CentreThe main street, Karl Johans gate, runs East-West from the Central Station past the Parliament, City Hall and National Theatre to the Royal Palace. The

area surrounding it is home to other sights like the Akershus Fortress, the Cathedral, Nobel Peace Centre and the National Gallery. It is also a good place for people-watching and shopping.

Aker Brygge and TjuvholmenAker Brygge and adjacent up-and-coming Tjuvholmen are the most ex-pensive parts of town. An old industrial area, it is lovely for an evening stroll, people watching or a swim (there is a city beach at the very end!), and for visiting the brand new Astrup Fearnley Museum of Contemporary Art, but go somewhere else for lunch/dinner/drinks to afford the rest of your stay…

GrünerløkkaHip Grünerløkka is the place to go for a night out; with more than 60 re-staurants, bars and cafees, the area attracts a lot of students. Grünerløkka is also the place to look out for small independent shops, as well as second-hand shops. Some of the them are even open on Sundays (including a flea market in Birkelunden and a handicraft/design market at Blå in Brenneriv-eien).

GrønlandHead to Grønland (east of the city centre) to find international shops with fresh fruits and vegetables at lower prices. These shops may also have items from your home country, which may not be available in the main grocery stores.

RECREATIONAL AREASNordmarkaThis is where the inhabitants of Oslo find their peace. Explore this vast forest area surrounding Oslo by foot, bike or on skis. Enjoy the view from Vettakollen or Frognerseteren, or have a picnic by one of the lakes. You are even allowed to spend the night under the skies if you want to.

ParksAs soon as the sun appears in spring, Norwegians flock to the many parks across the city. Nice ones include St.Hanshaugen (sometimes with concerts on the open-air stage), Torshovparken, Frognerparken (with the sculptural park Vigelandsparken) and Sofienbergparken.

IslandsYour student ticket is also valid on public ferryboats, great for island-hop-ping in the summer season. Jump on and off charming little islands at your own pace. Water temperatures can reach 22 degrees in summer.

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Friendly, down-to-earth people, unique scenery, sum-mer nights bright as day and delightful snowy winters make Norway a very special country.

It is easy for a foreigner to feel at home in this widespread and diverse cor-ner of the world. English is widely spoken, and coping with day-to-day life in Norway does not require proficiency in Norwegian. In 2012 the population of Norway reached 5 million.

Shipping, oil and gas, pulp and paper products, chemicals, shipbuilding and fishing are the most significant industries. Employment rates remain cur-rently high, and the prospects for economic growth are encouraging. Inter-national students are allowed to work part-time during their studies.

Norway is a very safe country to live in. Its crime rate is amongst the lo-west in the world, and its environment and air are amongst the cleanest. A healthy living style is widely encouraged and promoted.

The spectacular Norwegian nature offers exciting opportunities for outdoor activities all year round: hiking, mountain climbing, hunting, cycling, rafting, swimming, golf, sailing, skiing – the choice is yours! Breathtaking views of fjords and mountain landscapes are easily accessible at no cost. Each sea-son has its own special features and charm.

Read more about Norway on visitnorway.com

Use this opportunity to explore this long stretched land of the North! With its four seasons and diverse landscapes, Norway offers vast possibilities for extraordinary experiences.

TRAINTrains are a comfortable way to travel in Norway. They can take you as far north as Bodø, by the island group of Lofoten. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen is particularly beautiful, and well worth your time. Relax and enjoy the view along the way, as the train takes you up and over the mountains and down through the narrow valleys.

For the cheapest tickets, plan ahead and look for “minipris” tickets at nsb.no. “Minipris” are non-refundable, but often cheaper than discounted stu-dent tickets.

AIRPLANEStretching 1 800 km from the South to the North, it may not come as a surprise that Norway has one of the highest number of domestic flights in the world. Between the mountains and the fjords, many towns are served with a small airport.

At the same time, the rest of Europe is never far away: if you need some new impulses during your stay, you can fly to Berlin in 1,5 hours; London in 2 hours; Rome in 4 hours… Low-fare airlines provide relatively cheap tickets.

DRIVING IN NORWAYEU citizens can use their original driving license while in Norway. Non-EU citizens are allowed to use a foreign driving license for up to three months before exchanging it for a Norwegian licence. Students who bring their own car must get a driving permission from the customs. Read more: toll.no and vegvesen.no/en/home

EXPLORE NORWAY

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NORWEGIAN LANGUAGENORWEGIAN LANGUAGENorway has three offi cial written languages: Bokmål, Nynorsk and Sami. Bokmål is based on written Danish, which was the offi cial language in Norway for several hundred years. Nynorsk was created in the 1850s by linguist Ivar Aasen, and is a compilation and combination of some regional dialects (mainly from the Western part of the country).

Generally, if you understand Bokmål you can understand Nynorsk fairly easily, and vice versa. Offi cially, Bokmål and Nynorsk have been accorded equal status, although Bokmål is more widely used in Oslo and the larger towns.

Sami, a member of the Finno-Ugric branch of languages is a minority language used by the indigenous Sami people.

USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASESEnglish is widely spoken and you can manage quite well in Norway without knowing any Norwegian. However, knowing a few words and phrases may be useful. The most important word is “takk” – “thank you”.

If you are invited to lunch or dinner it is customary to thank the host for the meal when you leave the table. The phrase “Takk for maten” means “Thank you for the food”.

Hello HeiGoodbye Ha det braYes JaNo NeiPlease Vær så snillThanks (Tusen) takkYou are welcome VærsågodHow are you? Hvordan har du det?I’m fi ne Bra takkMy name is… Jeg heter…Where is…? Hvor er…?Sorry UnnskyldExcuse me Unnskyld megCheers SkålI’m a vegetarian Jeg er vegetarianerHow much is it? Hvor mye kostedet?I don’t understand Jeg forstår ikkeDo you speak English? Snakker du engelsk?Can you help me? Kan du hjelpe meg?

Numbers1 En2 To3 Tre4 Fire5 Fem6 Seks7 Syv8 Åtte9 Ni10 Ti50 Femti100 Hundre1000 Tusen

Food and drinksBread BrødCheese OstEggs EggFull fat milk HelmelkLow fat milk LettmelkChicken KyllingFish FiskSalmon LaksFruit FruktVegetable GrønnsakCoff ee Kaff eTea TeBeer ØlWine VinSoft drinks Mineralvann (Brus)Water Vann

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CULTURAL ADVICEADDRESSING PEOPLENorwegians are considered to be easy going and informal. First names are commonly used. Prefixes like Mr., Mrs. and Ms. are generally not used, only on very formal occasions. • You should shake hands in formal situations.• Among students and friends hand shaking is not expected. However,

when being introduced for the first time to someone your age it is com-mon to shake hands and say your name.

BEING LATE• Be on time when going to work and school. Being late is considered im-

polite.• On social occasions Norwegians are more flexible. Being 10–15

minutes late is quite common.

SOCIAL CONVENTION• Norwegians are friendly, but you may find them reserved. However, you

will often get a positive response if you initiate contact• Norwegians are also known for their directness. Some find this rude, but

this is not intentional.• The egalitarian values at the root of the welfare state also manifest them-

selves throughout Norwegian society in many ways – for instance in the field of gender equality. Women expect to be treated with a more gender neutral attitude than in many other parts of the world. Also, be aware that what some might consider a light dress code is not necessarily meant to attract attention.

COMMON COURTESY• It is always nice to hold the door for someone, regardless of whether they

are men or women.• Old people and pregnant women appreciate it if you let them have your

seat on a crowded bus. It is also appreciated if you help people with a baby carriage onto the bus or tram.

• Be discrete when looking at people and don’t stare. • Do not cut in line.• Do not litter on the floor or ground. You will usually find a garbage can

somewhere nearby. • Do not chat with your friends during meetings and presentations etc,

when the speaker is talking.

• Switch your mobile phone to silent mode in the library, cinemas and lec-ture halls.

You might find that some Norwegians may not agree with or follow these guidelines. However, generally observing these will help you integrate into Norwegian culture.

SERVICE CHARGEService charge and tips are included in restaurant bills and taxi fares. Tip-ping is not expected, but around 10% might be given if you are pleased with the service given. In bars and cafes people will often leave some change.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHINGOslo and Norway have four distinct seasons. The weather is constantly changing, but normally winters (Dec – March) are cold, summers (June – August) are considered warm (according to Norwegian standards), while spring and autumn connect the two in between. Parallel to the seasons, the number of daylight hours varies from 6 hours in mid-December to 20 hours in mid-June.

Summer temperatures vary from 10 degrees Celsius on rainy days to 30 degrees Celsius on nice summer days. Expect bathing temperatures of 17-22 degrees Celsius in the fjord and lakes. Long, light evenings and nights are best spent in a park together with friends, or on the beach.

From September it gets gradually colder (and darker), but the autumn can be nice with sunny days. By mid-November winter sets in, and snow usually arrives in time for Christmas. It is quite dark and cold in the months from November until the end of February, so bring warm clothes and warm boots. The white snow makes up for some of the darkness, reflecting the little light there is. January and February are the best months for skiing and other winter activities.

In March, the days are already noticeably longer, and you can feel the warmth of the sun on good days. The first sign of spring is Norwegians ta-king to the streets, enjoying the sunshine. This is the time when Oslo comes alive again after its “winter sleep”. Outdoor cafés will be packed with people as soon as the temperatures rise above the freezing point.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCYEMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCEOn campus: +47 23 21 53 90 (SiO Student Health Services)Notify the BI Reception as well: 06600

Outside campus: +47 22 93 22 93 (Emergency ward – Legevakten. Address: Storgata 40)

Ambulance: 113

EMERGENCY DENTAL CARETannlegevakt: +47 22 56 40 00 (Majorstua), +47 22 65 33 88 (Årvoll)Open all days 08:00-18:00oslotannlegevakt.no (in Norwegian only)

EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN NORWAYFire: 110 Police: 112 Ambulance: 113

See also Student Health Services, p. 12If you or your fellow student is involved in an accident or need assistance, please notify your contact person in the BI administration.

WHO TO CONTACT AT BI?BBA and Bachelor Double Degree students:Bachelor administrationE-mail: bachelor@bi.noPhone: +47 46 10 00 06

Master of Science students:Master administrationE-mail: msc@bi.noPhone: +47 46 41 00 02

Exchange students:International OfficeE-mail: international.office@bi.noPhone: +47 46 41 02 27

You will find all of us in the student reception area in C3.

bi.edu atbi.no/en

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