Blog Oslo

7/01/2024

We gathered at our school's parking lot and took two taxis to Brussels airport. Boarding commenced at 2:40 pm, and our flight finally took off at 3:10 pm. The journey was exceptionally smooth, with no turbulence to disrupt our experience. After a two-hour flight, we landed at Oslo Lufthavn Gardermoen. The chilly temperature of -20°C, a big contrast to Belgium, forced us to put on our hats and gloves.

The aerial view of Oslo from the aircraft was nothing short of spectacular, with a magical blanket of snow covering everything. Taking the train, we arrived at Oslo Sentralstasjon, ready to delve into the wonders of Norway's capital city. 

8/01/2024

Today marked our first visit to Rud Videregående Skole. Upon reaching the school, Jens-Petter, along with Norwegian students Frans and Imre, extended a warm welcome to us. Our introduction began in the Makerspace, where the drone project is being developed. Jens-Petter guided us through various classes dedicated to technical subjects, offering insights into the machinery and their functions. A fulfilling lunch followed, with options like toast and a pastabar. Due to the schoolrestaurant being crowded, we enjoyed our meal in the Makerspace.

After lunch, engaging conversations with Frans and Imre continued until they needed to return to their classes. The sheer size of Rud Videregående Skole and the multitude of educational opportunities left a lasting impression, highlighting the stark differences from our own school. Eager to explore more, we embarked on our next activity. 

While being in Oslo for our project week, we couldn't miss the chance to marvel at the city's architectural wonders, sculptures, and attractions, complementing our project work with the exploration of Oslo's rich history. Some notable attractions we visited include:

• Oslo Sentralstasjon: Norway's busiest station with a modern design, adorned by a striking bronze tiger sculpture, representing Oslo's nickname, Tigerstaden ("The Tiger City").

• Karl Johans Gate: the most famous and bustling thoroughfare in Oslo, named after King Karl XIV Johan, who reigned over Norway and Sweden from 1818-1844.

• Oslo Cathedral: a captivating structure dating back to 1694, featuring a modest red brick facade in Lutheran tradition and an exquisite, story-telling interior.

• Norwegian Parliament Building (Storting): a landmark on Karl Johans Gate, designed by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet, completed in 1866 after Norway and Denmark's separation in 1814.

• Norway's National Theater: a hub for theater shows and celebrations.

• University of Oslo: a neoclassical-style university building completed in 1852, catching the eye with a grand portico supported by tall Corinthian columns.

• Oslo Opera House:  a must-visit, offering breathtaking views and architectural brilliance.

• Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art: situated on one of the last islands of the Oslo bay, featuring a dramatic curving roof of fritted glass and an impressive nautical aesthetic.

Oslo proved to be a treasure trove of architectural masterpieces, blending the old and the new. The city's rich cultural tapestry and abundance of facilities added depth to our exploration. 

9/01/2024

Our day began with a hearty breakfast and the trip to RUD by metro. Upon arrival, we were scheduled to have Norwegian lessons, but unfortunately, the teacher fell ill, leading to the cancellation of the class. Quick on their feet, the teachers sought a suitable alternative aligned with our project. Thankfully, luck was on our side as we got the opportunity to visit the Tesla factory adjacent to the school. It's the second-largest Tesla location in Norway. The technical supervisor guided us through the factory, sharing intriguing facts about the company. Notably, Norway boasts a substantial number of Teslas on its roads. Although we couldn't capture images in the maintenance section, we learned valuable insights like:

• The cars feature a large, powerful battery in the vehicle's floor, enhancing stability with a low center of gravity. 

• Car inspections occur after the first two years and then every four years. 

• Scheduling appointments involves using the Tesla app, aiming to address issues before a visit to the garage, often resolved with software bug fixes.

During lunch, we made a trip to the local store to grab some food.

Later on, we took the metro back to Oslo's central station. Upon arrival, we made a brief stop at the rooftop of the renowned Opera House  to enjoy the view on the bay, before heading to the Edvard Munch museum. This museum, spanning 13 floors, showcases the diverse art of the famous Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch. Facing personal tragedies, such as family members succumbing to tuberculosis, Munch found solace in turning his thoughts into art. His iconic painting, 'The Scream,' was a highlight.

Following this, we rushed to our second museum of the day, the 'Nobel Peace Center.' Due to the assigned timeslot, just before closing time, we had a short time window to appreciate the museum's treasures. A notable highlight was the room featuring Nobel Peace Prize winners and a wall inviting visitors to paint the words 'imagine peace.' 

After a cold day filled with exploration, we retreated to the warmth of the hostel to wind down. Goodnight!

10/01/2024

Today we returned to Rud Videregående Skole, ready to dive into our project work. Our students eagerly shared their expertise in assembling and programming sensors with their Norwegian counterparts. The sensors, designed to measure various environmental factors such as air quality, humidity, temperature, air pressure, presence of ammonia, wind chill, and particulate matter, will be programmed to store data for later analysis.

Today's agenda grants us access to the Makerspace until late evening. The place is equipped with a laser cutter and multiple 3D printers. These tools will be instrumental in crafting the sensor housings. Additionally, we plan to leave a programmed sensor outdoors to collect data, which will be compared with values from Belgium through the Internet of Things. We hope our sensor withstands the extreme Norwegian temperatures, which have dipped as low as -24°C during the day and even colder at night. 🥶

Regrettably, a setback occurred during drone testing, leading to a crash. Consequently, we won't conduct a joint test with the drone and sensors today. However, our Norwegian counterparts are swiftly printing new parts to reconstruct the drone, and we aim to have it operational by this week's end.

Wrapping up the day, we engaged in a captivating VR drone simulator and a Viking game. Wearing VR glasses, students stepped into the shoes of a Viking, immersing themselves in the experience. To cap it off, we enjoyed a delicious soup with bread, fortifying ourselves before the journey back to our accommodation in Oslo.

10/01/24

In a chilly country like Norway, indulging in ice skating is practically a must. In proximity to Rud Videregående Skole lies Bærum Ishall, an ice skating facility featuring both indoor and outdoor rinks. Under the guidance of Jens-Petter, our group ventured to the rink, with some members joining in the skating fun. While a few individuals experienced occasional falls, thankfully, no injuries occurred.

11/01/2024

Our day kicked off with a visit to school for a session in programming. We were grouped with Norwegian students in a programming class. They introduced us to new concepts in Python, allowing us to experiment and create various shapes in different colors. The highlight was a friendly competition among groups to craft the coolest shape. Returning to the Makerspace, we received attendance certificates from Jens-Petter and bid farewell to Frans and Imre. Later that day, we took the subway back to Oslo.

Arriving in Oslo, time was of the essence as we headed for a boat tour of the Oslofjord. We hastily grabbed some food en route and, after a brief moment of confusion, located the correct boat just in time. With only a minute to spare, we embarked on a delightful journey, exploring the Osterfjorden, Hovedøya, Lindøya, and Bleikøya. The boat trip treated us with almost 60 minutes of unique and breathtaking views. Following the excursion, we had the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.

In the evening, we visited Mathallen, a venue housing various food shops. It served as the backdrop for our dinner and dessert, offering a diverse and enjoyable culinary experience.

12/01/2024

Today, our day kicked off with an 8:40 am meet-up in the lobby for a visit to the Holmenkollen ski jump. Taking tram 1 to reach Holmenkollen, we navigated up and down a mountain to reach the iconic ski jump site, widely used for competitions. The snow was deep, and after marveling at the ramp, we made our descent, with some adventurous souls opting for a slide down a nearby mountain.

With time to spare, we immersed ourselves in the snowy landscape, crafting snowmen, engaging in spirited snowball fights, and enjoying the simple pleasures of sitting and lying in the snow. Following this snowy interlude, we hopped back on the tram for a few more stops, reaching our next destination – sledding. Each of us received a sled and helmet, and after an exhilarating 2 km ride down the track, the unanimous decision was to do it all over again.

After sledding, we re-boarded the tram and headed to Klimathuset, a fascinating and interactive museum with seven engaging rooms where participation was key. Our next order of business was lunch, so en route to the hostel, we made a pit stop at a shop to grab provisions for both the current meal and Saturday, given our early departure for the airport.

As the day drew to a close, we gathered at Boulebar, a restaurant that served a delightful meal enjoyed by all, marking a delightful conclusion to our Erasmus trip. The evening extended with games and rounds of petanque, adding an extra layer of friendship to our memorable day.

Goodbye! Thank you for this great experience! Tusen Takk!