Local Information

Fredrikstad is a charming coastal town in Norway, that offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors enjoy visiting the Old Town “Gamlebyen” with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and quaint shops. The city is home to approximately 80,000 people and is near the border to Sweden, offering students a chance to visit a neighboring country quite easily.

Shopping: Most shops in Norway are open on weekdays and Saturdays, however, most retail shops are closed on Sundays. Plan accordingly if you intend to go shopping on weekends, as Sundays tend to be reserved for rest and relaxation.

Eating Out: Unlike retail shops, many restaurants, cafes, and bars will be open on Sundays but can vary depending on the business. For costs, a sandwich or meal at an inexpensive cafe can be around $7-10, while a mid-range restaurant will be closer to the $20-30 range. Soft drinks and coffee drinks can average around $4-6, while beer, wine, or any alcohol tends to be more expensive and can range closer to $10 and above. Of course, all of these costs are estimates and will vary depending on what you order, the restaurant or place you visit, and the Norwegian Kroner to US Dollar conversation rates when you are in Norway.

Transportation Costs: The city has a free ferry that runs up and down the river daily. Students can hop on or off at several points of interest using the ferry. Additionally, there is a train station that connects students to Oslo. The train to Oslo takes approximately one hour, and costs around 276.00 KR (about $25 USD). Additional public transportation in the country, such as buses, can vary in price depending on where you want to travel to/from.

Student Housing

The Student Welfare Organisation in Østfold (SiØ) offers new and modern residence halls in Fredrikstad and Halden and are a short walk or bike ride from the two campuses. You will live in housing on the Fredrikstad campus.

Cell phones

It can be helpful/useful to have a cell phone during your program. Ask your mobile phone service provider if you can continue using your US-based plan in Norway. Ask about domestic (in Norway) and international service. Be sure to ask about additional charges or fees for calls, text messages, and data when using international service. These can be quite steep and add up quickly. Be sure to ask about the cost of both making and receiving calls and text messages.

Some providers have reasonably priced international calling plans that are separate from their US plans. You may also find cell phone carriers other than your primary carrier with good deals for international calling, including Norwegian and other European brands. There are 2 main networks in Norway: Telenor and Telia. You may also be able to purchase a SIM card when you arrive in Norway. 

Searching the Internet for travelers’ experiences with your provider when they were abroad or their experiences with other international calling/texting options may be helpful. You will need to use your judgment.

International calls

Because international calls can be expensive, and people tend to use Zoom or other wifi-based calling, we suggest you consider a plan that allows you to receive international calls easily rather than a plan that allows you to make them cheaply. Most students find that a quick call home can be quickly followed by a longer return call from home. 

Texting Apps

Apps like WhatsApp allow for free international texting and calling over wifi. These services only work if both parties have the app. If you want to try either of these services, look into them before you leave and make sure that the people you would like to text also have the app. Again, confirm that these services are, indeed, free.

Computers

We urge you to bring your laptop computer with you on the program. If you do not have a laptop, access to computer labs at the Østfold University College campus is available during the university’s open hours. All University housing has Internet connections.

NOTE: Beware of remaining too connected to the US. If you aren’t careful, you will find yourself glued to a computer every evening. Instagram, TikTok, and Email can burn up hours, and they can have the effect of putting you in limbo – not quite in Norway, but also not at home. Of course, there will be people back home with whom you want to correspond frequently, but it is best not to let the computer and cell phone become your primary hub of activity when you have free time. Communicate with people at home, but remember to live in Norway!

Norway’s currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). While the exchange rate fluctuates, with the average conversation over the past year you’ll get around 10-11 NOK for every USD. To quickly estimate prices, simply divide the NOK price by 10. For instance, a 100 NOK item is roughly equivalent to a $10 item.

A quick tip: When shopping, move the decimal point one place to the left. Estimate a 300 NOK scarf is close to $30 USD.

You may want to exchange some of your USD for Norwegian Krone before arriving in Norway. Major airports, banks, and currency exchange bureaus offer exchange services. Credit cards are widely accepted in Norway, especially in major cities and tourist areas. However, it's always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller purchases or in case of unexpected situations. ATMs are readily available throughout the country, allowing you to withdraw cash using your ATM card. Remember to check with your bank before traveling to ensure your card is compatible with Norwegian ATMs and to inquire about any international transaction fees.

Norway’s weather enjoys four distinct seasons throughout the year, and while it can be cold, it has predictable patterns for which you can easily prepare.  As they say in Norwegian, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!” Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær!

For fall semester students, when you arrive in mid-to-late August, you can expect the tail end of the warm season with the average August temperature around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. While Autumn kicks in, expect dropping temperatures from September to December, averaging in the highs of 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the 20-30’s. Autumn will bring beautiful fall foliage with colder temperatures. December will be the coldest month for fall semester students, dropping to just around and below freezing (32F and below). However, in the fall you will get to experience a picturesque winter wonderland as the snow begins and the holiday festivities kickoff!

For spring semester students, when you arrive in mid-January, you will be arriving during what will be the coldest month in Norway. Temperatures will be in the lows around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, warming only to the 20’s. As you continue through the snowy and cold January and February, spring will come soon with warmer temperatures in the 40-50’s, and late May to early-June hitting in the 60’s range. The snowy weather when you arrive will be a unique and charming Norwegian experience that many enjoy!

While this guide is written in Fahrenheit for our US students, if you have trouble remembering the Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion in your head, remember this simple rhyme: 

“30 is hot, 

20 is nice, 

10 is chilly, and 

zero is ice.”

About Østfold University of Applied Sciences

Østfold University of Applied Sciences (formerly know as Østfold Uniersity College) is a state university college with around 7,800 students and 620 employees. In Norwegian, the college is called “Høgskolen i Østfold” (and is abbreviated “HiØ”), so you may see that online and once you arrive in person. 

The university's academic environments are organized into three major faculties: Faculty of Health, Welfare and Organization, Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages, and Faculty of Information Technology, Engineering and Economics. We are located in Fredrikstad and Halden and have a broad study portfolio that ranges from professional education to art education, at both bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

The college has an ambitious strategy for the future. The college builds strong research communities, has an interdisciplinary doctoral program "Digitalization and Society", delivers outstanding socially relevant education, and interacts with business and society in both education and research.

The core of the college's operations is to provide students with access to outstanding socially relevant and professionally oriented studies.

We will ensure that students receive a high level of learning and are ready for a working life with rapid changes, both by focusing on quality, investing in technology, infrastructure and new teaching methods. Students will also experience a close connection between theoretical knowledge, professional fields and societal needs, and the college will therefore strengthen its strategic and binding collaboration with the working world.

Although we have a strong regional base, our education is increasingly characterized by an international commitment. It is a stated goal to strengthen educational cooperation with selected national and international educational institutions.