FOTO: Brian Olguin

The following text is a debate letter.

ISU Norway maintains that international students in Norway are ambassadors for this country. When we get back, the first thing that we are asked by our fellow students is: «How was it?» The answer to that question determines whether that person, too, will choose to study in Norway.

In order to continue to increase the numbers of international students in Norway, the overall strategy should be reconsidered and the learning environment of the international students must continue to improve. This requires an increase in both information in English and access to Norwegian language courses.

How is Norway marketed abroad? Do international students come to Norway for the «mountains and nature» or is it that Norway is promoted abroad in this manner? The front page of www.studyinnorway.no, developed by the Norwegian Center of Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) has an approach that advertises Norway to be at least equally a place to snowboard as well as to study. The website is a great source of information on studying in Norway. However, mention of Norway’s academic Centers of Excellence is given less than ten per cent of the space. In other arenas, the impression is that internationalization has more to do with of Norway’s development aid instead of an enrichment of Norway’s academica, or even a further development of its cross-cultural competences. How does this affect the perception towards the international student and internationalization in Norway?

The Challenge of Language. After three years of representing international students, it occurs to me that 50 per cent of the challenges that an international student faces in this country can be traced related to language. In order for one to be accepted to study in an institution of higher education in Norway, one must document competence in either Norwegian or English. It should therefore follow that important information provided to any student must also be in either Norwegian or English. This means lists of alternate study literature in English, application forms from Lånekassen, information connected to the Studentsamskipnaden i Oslo (student welfare organization) and the weekly student newspaper. The canteen - why must we guess what is being served? English translations for the campus signs, such as at the University of Stavanger, demonstrates an institution’s commitment to internationalization.

Many ERASMUS students chose Norway for the courses that were advertised to be in English. We in ISU receive too many complaints of professors switching to Norwegian in mid-sentence. Many international students take the initiative to learn Norwegian, but are met by institutions are unable or unwilling to provide enough Norwegian courses. International students need increased information in English and increased access to Norwegian courses to deepen our appreciation and understanding for Norway when we are asked «How was it?» Ask any international student!