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Wageningen University and Research

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Disclaimer

The “VeSte goes abroad” survey will be used to inform students interested in an exchange

programme to complete their minor. All answers are personal experiences, that is why no rights can be derived from the answers.

If you do not want to answer a certain question, you are free to. Readers of this survey should only contact the author of the survey if the author explicitly agreed to be contacted. The contact should be for addition to this survey.

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VeSte Goes Abroad

1. Student Information

1.1 Basic information student

Field of study in Wageningen Bsc - Biotechnology Form of study exchange Minor - Bsc

Study period exchange (dd/mm/yyyy) 8/8/2017 until 22/12/2017

Country (exchange) Norway

City (exchange) Stavanger

University (exchange) University of Stavanger (UiS)

Faculty (exchange) Sience and Technology

How did you get information on studying abroad? Websites ☒ Contact person ☐ Coordinator Exchange programme ☒ Study advisor ☐ Other students ☐

Differently [Insert answer]

1.2 Motivation for exchange

Reasons for exchange, why this choice, interests, etc. (optional)

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2. University and studying

2.1 Academical structure

How is the study formalized; study forms, academic level, examination, workload, lesson material etc.

Answer: Depending on the amount of courses (3-4) you take in a semester, you will have 4 to 20 hours of lectures a week. Some courses have a midterm exam, field courses or practical aspect. It’s not really necessary to bring your own labcoat, which is awesome since it saves space in your luggage! I felt the level was a bit lower than at the Wur, partly because mostly the threshold level to get your ects was at 40% and partly because the courses I took were not really difficult. They work in small classes, so most lectures won’t be recorded. Everything you need is posted on canvas, similar to blackboard. After lectures end which is the end of November you almost have 1.5 months to have your exams. If you’re lucky they will be spread over these weeks and this’ll give you ample time for studying.

2.2 Courses

General information about the followed courses. If desired, more detailed information can be added beneath the column.

Answer:

Course ECTS Short description of the

contents Appreciation of course: 1(low) – 5(high)

Remarks

1 Aquatic ecotoxicology 10 The main learning outcome for the student shall be a general knowledge in the essentials of

environmental science and an ability to explain the main aspects related to various forms of

anthropogenic pollutant chemicals and their

potential adverse effects in nature. After taking the course the student shall also have a good overview about the most important methods and study approaches used in studies and research of environmental pollutant chemicals.

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2 Natural water systems 10 The student shall aquire basic knowledge about geo-/physical forms, processes and ecology in natural water systems.

4 For someone who has never done anything with hydrology, limnology etc. it was very interesting. They even have a field week in which you go on multiple lakes and take water samples.

3 Environmental

microbiology 5 Students are expected to know fundamental terminology in biology, especially in microbiology; understand and describe structure and functions of microbial cells and the ecological function and microbial mechanisms in natural and technical systems.

2 If you have done cell biology, MIB-10306 or microbial physiology I do not

recommend taken this course. It gives a very basic

understanding of microbiology.

4 Fluid dynamics 5 The student shall have knowledge of the physics and the mathematical formalism for the description of fluids in order to be able to read and understand the technical literature in the field, and shall be able to make simple calculations of velocity, pressure, temperature and shear stress for incompressible viscous flow. Furthermore, the student shall have knowledge of important phenomena of advanced fluid dynamics, like flow regimes, boundary layers, instabilities and the transition to turbulent flow as well as basic CFD.

4 If you like physics and or mathematics and want to learn how fluids react in certain situations this is a good course for you. If you’re not that strong in the differential equation department I wouldn’t recommend this

2.3 Culture of the university

What is the culture like, how approachable are the lecturers, is there engagement with local students? Introduction programme present; mentors, buddies? Differences with the WUR, etc.

Answer: You are on first name basis with the teacher. There is not really a mentor/buddy programme so you have to make friends and contacts yourselves. They have 3 international introduction days in which you meet all of the international students, so that is the time to make friends. They also have an introduction week, called the Fadder week, but because as an

5 Norwegian people. The Norwegian people keep to themselves a lot, and only really open up once they have had a couple of drinks. So interactions with other students is mostly other

internationals and other students that may live in the same housing as you.

2.4 How does the university function?

How does the university function in the broader sense? Enrolment university, course registration, faculties, presence international office etc.

Answer: UiS responds usually within 2 days, including signing documents etc. If you have a question, you can very easily send an email or drop by the international office which is open all week. Your lecturer is often also a person you can go to if something is strange with your applications or courses etc.

2.5 Facilities of the university

What does the university offer the student additionally? Catering, sports facilities, laundry facilities, etc.

Answer: They offer cheap dinner meals which is great, because it’s Norway and everything is expensive here. They also offer an Erasmus sport bundle in which you can sport until December first for around 70 euros. I’ve heard you can shower on campus, I never tried it though.

3. Free Time

3.1 Culture of destination

What is the culture of the country like? Differences with home, local cuisine, habits, manners, etc.

Answer: The Norwegian people tend to keep to fellow Norwegians they know, so you’ll be spending most of your time with internationals. Most stores have a limited amount of food you can buy, so you’ll end up eating a lot of the same things with a slight variation. Fresh vegetables and meat are very expensive so try and eat vegetarian. Going out for dinner is possible but often very expensive.

3.2 Travelling in the surroundings

What are must-sees in the area? Nearby destinations, how do you prefer to travel, when to plan, etc.

Answer: There are a couple of hikes you can do, månafossen (waterfall), preikestolen (a hike to a plateau looking out over the Lysefjord), Kjeragbolten (a boulder logded between the mountain sides 1 km high) any many others. You could also go on several fjord tours or cruises.

3.3 Insider info

What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?

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3.4 General info

General tips and tricks about leisure time. For example: recommendations for restaurants, going out, etc.

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4. Travelling and living

4.1 Housing

What are the possibilities for housing? Availability to sign up for a room on campus, private rooms, rent rates, other costs, good neighbourhoods, etc.

Answer: UiS has several rooms for international students, but for Erasmus students that is limited down to 100 people per year, so the odds you can get a room are very slim. Start looking on Hybel.no or Finn.no if you want a room.

4.2 Living

General price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen. It does not have to be an exact calculation.

Answer: Rooms are mostly between 350-500 euros per month. Groceries are a bit more expensive but you can live on a budget. You’ll have to travel to a lot of hikes, which also costs money.

4.3 Accessibility from the Netherlands

How do you reach the destination? When to book your flights, transportation means, etc.

Answer: You can either go by car and take a ferry. Go by airplane, either directly from Schiphol to Stavanger (more expensive) or go via Oslo to Stavanger with SAS. When you arrive UiS has busses that only take you to UiS owned dorms, but mostly they are willing to drop you along the route. Make sure you have the public transport app on your phone, Kolumbus billet

4.4 Extra costs to reach destination

Should a visa be requested? yes ☐ no ☒ [eventual costs visa] Should a residence permit be requested? yes ☐ no ☒ [eventual costs residence

permit]

3.5 Transport

Public transport infrastructure. Cost public transport card, taxi prices, how to travel to the university, etc.

Answer: Once you get you student card and download the student ID app (important, you can get fined if you can’t show you are a student without a valid receipt, this app is an easy way to do so!) you can buy a monthly PT ticket for 35 euros a month. This will include trains, busses and a ferry in a specified region. If you live close to the centre, you can mostly also walk.

4.6 General Tips

General tips and tricks for travelling and living.

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5. Contact details (optional)

Is the reader allowed to contact the writer?

Will I allow my name and contact details to

appear on the website?

Name

6. Thank you!

Thank you very much for sharing your exchange experience. We are confident that many interested students can be helped with making their decisions! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to send a mail to: [email protected]