https://www.airbnb.fr/s/Lillehammer--Norv%C3%A8ge/homes?search_mode=flex_destinations_search&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&place_id=ChIJjSi196diakYRNO1bStM6JzI&adults=2&children=0

Would you recommend it?

It's really a special place where you feel surrounded by nature, and sometimes almost too much, if you want to disconnect from the urban life, Lillehammer is the perfect place. Sunlight is scarce when reaching november/december but I really enjoyed my stay there nontheless. As for the university, HØGSKOLEN I INNLANDET is good, with a great choice of courses, and teachers that are passionate about what they make you learn. The student life is also diversified if you take the time to immerse yourself in it, lots of activities and social gatherings. To sum up, it might not be the first choice for everyone, but it's definitely a life changing experience and I would do it again anytime.

🍻 Social Life

What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?

There's not much place to gather around for a drink but bryggerigata (street) is where there will be the most activity

🎓 Uni life at HØGSKOLEN I INNLANDET

Which classes do you recommend… or not?

I find the most instructive courses where the ones teaching coding and data, they really have taught me valuable skills that I can use at any job.

Do you have some tips?

The campus was great, with a big cafetaria, a cozy cafe to relax and a great library, registration was really easy, the process was smooth and staff was responsive. Yes, I would pick the same uni again

✈️ Travel

Best trips to do?

Since you're a student you can get flights for approximately 100€ and fly to Tromso where you can experience the REAL Norway, or fly to Bergen to see the beautiful seaside village with it's colourful housing. Although I would say it's a pain to travel, you have to get buses, then trains, then flights and then other trains. It's a real organisation to get around.

🌆 Lillehammer vibe

What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Lillehammer?

The buses get you around rather quickly, it's a small city, Entur is the app, you buy your membership and tickets there, Yr is the best app for weather, AllTrails is great if you want to explore the beautiful nature surrounding the city. The cost of living is pretty high, a bit higher than Paris. It's one of the safest country. The weather depends on when you go but it can be a bit demoralizing during winter; The food isn't great but if you can cook then you will be just fine.

💡 Other Tips

There are great thrift shops like the frelsen-armeen (Salvation Army) in the city center, or Ting og Toy which was my favourite where you can get any furniture, from kitchen ustensils, to clothing and so on. Also the best place to buy groceries are Kiwi and REMA 1000.

Talk to Alexandre

Need advice? Got questions?

💬Message Alexandre

🏠 Housing

What kind of place was it?

Student Residence

How much was the rent per month?

470€/month

Where was it located?

Smestad, 10 min by bus to go to school and in the city center

How can someone find this place?

Residence website

Would you recommend it?

For housing, you will be able to apply for residences students following an email from the partner university. This residence seems to be the best in location terms (10-15 minutes by transport from school and the city center) but also in the therme of dynamics, student life. We each have our room and bathroom, then we share a kitchen with 4 to 6 other students. Shared kitchens are ideal to meet new people but also to eat together with your friends. Moreover, the accommodation was very clean and very easy to organize. There is also a KIWI supermarket 5 minutes walk from the residence.

🍻 Social Life

What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?

For the evenings, every Wednesday, the school bar (Studenten) organizes parties like bingos and quizzes. To go out in the evening, two clubs are preferred: the nightclub 1847 and the Two club (Kjøpstaden). The two clubs are just a 2-minute walk from each other. Here are some activities to do in Lillehammer: very beautiful hikes, visiting the museum outdoor Maihstricels, hockey game, discovery of downtown, as well as the ski resort Hafjell. In summer, the city is very pleasant with its hikes, and in winter, it turns into a real Christmas village. We also had the chance to observe many northern lights. Moreover, every winter takes place the world competition of ski jumping and biathlon, these being free for students.

🎓 Uni life at HØGSKOLEN I INNLANDET

Which classes do you recommend… or not?

During this exchange, I took three courses: Event Management, Strategy and Leadership, all taught in English. A little advice: avoid finance and Management of Sciences courses, which can prove to be quite complex. Other subjects interesting to follow are Intercultural Communication and Nature & Crisis. The organization of the classes took place through a few lectures in an amphitheater, follow-ups of personal work. The Event Management exam consisted of a file to be completed at home over a period of 4 days. The other two subjects included a table-top exam of 4 hours. Rest assured, the classes are not particularly difficult, but a minimum of work is still necessary.

Do you have some tips?

The campus is quite large and has many amphitheatres, classrooms, a canteen, as well as a cafeteria and a gym. There are many associations, notably sports, but the two main ones to follow are Lillehammer Studentidrett and Skilaami, who organize during the semester a weekend of surfing as well as an evening for the opening of the ski resort. Regarding the reception of international students, we were very well received. Kine and Lisa, the heads of the international department, are great. They will provide all the necessary information during your stay. Many activities was organized during the integration week. Moreover, during this period, Lillehammer hosted the Fadderuka festival, during which we enjoyed it.

✈️ Travel

Best trips to do?

During this exchange, we had the chance to visit several cities in Norway, such as Bergen, a port city near a fjord, and Tromsø, where we were amazed by the landscapes, observed whales and reindeer. We went several times to Oslo for visit the capital (2h by train). We also had the opportunity to travel to Sweden and to Denmark, by visiting the capitals Stockholm and Copenhagen. Plane tickets are very affordable, notably with the companies Norwegian and SAS, which makes these trips easily accessible.

🌆 Lillehammer vibe

What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Lillehammer?

Enjoy every moment of your exchange! Indeed, even if Lillehammer is a small town and we have already toured it, there are always events and small places that we can forget to go see. For winter sports enthusiasts, it is the ideal city; between the world competitions of ski jumping, hockey but also biathlon. Regarding transport in Lillehammer, it is possible to travel by bus. The tickets can be purchased online via the Entur app. Do not hesitate to take a 180-day pass or a monthly pass. One of the points to take into account is the cost of living. Life in Norway is rather expensive, in average I spent about 900€ per month, including rent and travel. However, the Erasmus grant helps offset some of these costs. Above all, don’t forget to bring warm things, the winter can be cold there ;)

Talk to Elisa

Need advice? Got questions?

💬Message Elisa

🏠 Housing

What kind of place was it?

Student Residence

How much was the rent per month?

470€/month

Where was it located?

Smestad, 10 min by bus to go to school and in the city center

How can someone find this place?

Residence website

Would you recommend it?

🍻 Social Life

What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?

🎓 Uni life at HØGSKOLEN I INNLANDET

Which classes do you recommend… or not?

Do you have some tips?

✈️ Travel

Best trips to do?

🌆 Lillehammer vibe

What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Lillehammer?

Talk to Elisa

Need advice? Got questions?

💬Message Elisa