Starting your research life in Norway
Here I describe some tips as of 2021 for newcomers.
(All the information here is based on my personal experience, and things might have changed recently. I will not be responsible for any damage caused, so please check official sources where possible.)
Student life in Norway (Link to the NMBU webpage)
Facebook Group - room sharing/buy/rent around NMBU
Visa: The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is responsible for visa issues. If you are a JSPS postdoc, be careful about the “two years rule”. You will get a residence number after arriving in Norway, and things will be a lot easier after that (national health insurance, opening bank account, etc.)
Weather: -10°C ~ 25°C. Frozen streets can be very slippery. Prepare show boots before winter. Typically it snows from November to March.
Living cost: You should expect to have NOK 9 080,- per month for subsistence. (from Student life in Norway)
Housing: If you are an NMBU student, SiÅs may help you. You can also find an apartment with FINN.no. There is a variety of posts about housing, but also jobs. If you are accompanying a partner who will be seeking a job, FINN.no. and JobbNorge will be the first place to search.
Links for supermarkets:
A food market (Asian food)
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Transportation
It is not necessary to have a car in Ås. Buses, bikes, and trains can help you.
Ruter (transportation company)
Language - People speak English fluently. However, if you are ambitious, learning Norwegian may help.
NMBU occasionally offers language courses, but it is extremely competitive and usually, all seats are booked within minutes after the announcement.
Payment - Credit cards can be used almost everywhere. However, you may need a card from a Norwegian bank sooner or later.