Local information

Norwegians are very attached to a lifestyle geared towards the outside. Strolls, down hill skiing and ice skating are part of the more appreciated activities. Furthermore, Norwegians are nice and kind and many speak English which makes communication easier. The night life is not very active: the cold of winter and the high prices in the bars are reasons to stay at home during the evenings. In Oslo, there are bars and pubs fitted out according to the taste of the people: in fact the interior arrangement is very important in all Scandinavian countries, the decorations are very designer, whether it is for the furniture or for paintings and decorations. Wood is very present in Norwegian architecture and there are very few large buildings.
Aside from Oslo, there is not a city where the student life is very notable. On the other hand one can find a number of bars and night clubs where students go to in the capital.

Climate and season:
Norway is not as cold as one thinks: the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean that borders the entire length of the country moderates the winters. From spring, in April, nature is reborn and in summer it can even be quite hot. However, one must not get illusions, it is very cold in Norway, and it is covered in snow from November to April. The latitude evidently plays a large role and in Oslo it is not as cold in the winter than in Lillehammer, the Olympic city further north. In Oslo the temperatures can very between 10 and 25°C in the summer and -5°C to -20°C in the winter.
One can admire the sun at midnight in the north of Norway during a short period, from mid-May until the end of July, during this time the sun never sets and remains on the horizon during the long hours of an incredible spectacle.

Distances:
Norway is a country spread out through 1,700 km from south to north with a large part above the polar circle. Thus the distances are significant. It is particularly difficult to travel here and there, especially because of the fjords and glaciers, however the road system is well maintained, but there are no highways. It is thus recommended that when travelling long distances to take a plane. The train system works well and is comfortable, but expensive. It is possible to travel around by boat and it is often this occasion that one can discover the carved out coasts of Norway, the sea is free of ice through out the year due to the Gulf Stream that touches the west coast of the country.

Useful information:
Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NKR)
exchange rate (June 2001) 1 NKR = US $0.108 = 0.13 Euro
Telephone : 00 47