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:

Meny

REMA1000

Coop

A food market (Asian food)

Obento (Japanese food)

Neo Tokyo (Japanese food+)

Europris (variety store)

IKEA (furniture)

NLM (used goods store)

Transportation

It is not necessary to have a car in Ås. Buses, bikes, and trains can help you.