Photo: Thea Handrup Brevik. From the left: Marlene Reichenbach og Michelle Müller
New exchange students at OsloMet
On August 12th, about 280 eager exchange students showed up at Pilestredet 52 to participate in the Orientation Meeting for exchange students.
The objective of the Orientation Meeting is to provide a warm welcome to international students.
– We take the time to go through all the practicalities of being a new student at OsloMet, what student offers are available and what it is like to be new in an unknown country. At the same time, it is a meeting place for the new students, says Senior Administrative Officer in the Division for Education, Zahra Ghodrati.
For Zahra Ghodrati, the Orientation Meeting is the highlight of the semester.
– The welcome meeting exceeded all expectations. That doesn’t happen without committed students!
Welcome speech from the rector
– 40 years ago, just as you do now, I sat in an auditorium in a foreign country, listening to speeches and getting a lot of new information. I have to admit that I don't remember anything that was said, but I do remember the feeling of being welcomed and wanted. Now I hope that you feel welcome and wanted at our university, said Rector Christen Krogh in his speech to the new exchange students at OsloMet.
Furthermore, he gave the students one piece of good advice: to get involved in Norwegian society. He encouraged the students to immerse themselves in the interactions they have with each other and Norwegian students.
– Learn as much as you can, because only then will you get the most out of being an exchange student.
From Dresden to Oslo
Marlene Reichenbach and Michelle Müller have never been to Oslo before, but now they are ready for a full semester in the capital. They are both studying International Business in Dresden.
– We are most looking forward to getting to know the people and the culture here, says the Dresden students.
Culture shock
The exchange students from Dresden do not think they will get a big culture shock. Germany and Norway are quite similar, they believe. Nevertheless, they have got the impression that Norwegians are somewhat different from Germans.
– We have been told that Norwegians seem cold and unfriendly. We don't think that's true at all! You are just a little more in your own bubble, they say.
In addition, there is one more thing that has surprised the German exchange students: the weather.
– When I've dressed warmly and comfortably, Norwegians walk around in bikinis, says Michelle Müller.
Another person who mentions the Norwegian weather early on in his lecture is Øystein Garfors.
During his 40-minute lecture on culture shock, he talks about what he calls a roller coaster of emotions when experiencing a new culture for the first time.
Øystein Garfors explains culture shock in a simple way:
– Imagine that you see the world through a lens of a certain color based on where you come from. When you get to a new place, the people who live there see the world through lenses of a different color. As you adapt, the colors from both lenses will blend, and you'll see the world with a new color.
