Exchange ABC

A semester or a school year abroad? No matter how long you want to be away, there are many good reasons to make your dream of studying abroad a reality. A study period abroad will give you experiences you would otherwise never have had, and for many, it will be the most memorable period of their studies. The purpose of an education is to give the student new perspectives, and this increases if you are abroad.

1. You’ll learn a new culture and language
   The opportunity to get to know a new country, a new culture and a new language opens many doors. First, because you are in contact with the language on a daily basis your language skills will improve dramatically (according to many), even during short periods abroad. Firstly, because you are in contact with the language on a daily basis, many will find that their language skills improve significantly, also during short study stays abroad. Is learning languages one of the most important things about your study stay? Unless the language you want to learn is English, you may want to choose a country where English proficiency is not that high. It is, according to many international students, the most effective way to learn. But why is language so important to know? Among other things, it opens up access to people, thoughts, ideas, and knowledge that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. It enriches your own life but also means that you can use it in an academic context, as well as in the workplace. It opens up access to markets and players you would otherwise not have access to. Secondly, it may open your eyes to ask critical questions about your own culture. Not every country in the world finds it as natural to eat brown cheese, throw yourself on the bus before everyone has left, or cheer yourself hoarse because your own national heroes have a slightly better gait than the neighboring country.

2. You become more attractive on the job market
   Surveys show that employers are generally positive towards young employees who have studied abroad. This is both because they need the language skills, but also because of the professional qualifications that these students bring with them. In an increasingly globalized world where people, goods and services move across national borders, both the public and business sectors will have a great need for international competence. A study abroad can therefore help make you more attractive on the job market when the time comes.

3. Exciting experiences and acquaintances
   There is no doubt that studying abroad will give you a different experience than what you would get in Norway. You will experience the culture in a completely different way than on shorter holiday trips, and you will have more time to get to know the people and traditions of the country you are studying. Staying abroad therefore often lead to great development on a personal level, as well as on a professional level. Coming to a foreign country can seem both intimidating and overwhelming, but you’ll undoubtedly get a lot out of it if you take the chance.

Financing

• Lånekassen can provide loans to cover partial studies abroad, such as travel and accommodation, as well as support for tuition fees for those who are eligible. On Lånekassen’s website you will find information on how to apply for support for partial studies abroad and what must be included in the application. Other grants and scholarships often have early application deadlines. You should investigate the possibility of receiving such support early, preferably a year before the planned start of your studies:

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Before departure

It is important to plan your exchange stay well, and to get an overview of everything that needs to be arranged before leaving for the big foreign country.

Legathåndboken
Legatsiden
Forskningsrådet
Nord-Amerika Foreningen
Det norske Fulbright-kontoret

• Housing
  The host institution will usually help exchange students find accommodation, but it is the student who is responsible for finding accommodation. The student counselor at HLT is available for questions about access to student housing at the various exchange institutions..

• Visa
  Visa rules and procedures vary from country to country, and it is a good idea to check this as early as possible so that you know what documents are needed. Applying for a visa is your responsibility, and you should contact the embassy of the country you are traveling to for up-to-date information, or check the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. The immigration authorities in several countries require a financial guarantee. A loan certificate from Lånekassen is sufficient.

• Insurance
  Helseforsikring: When you apply for support from Lånekassen for studies abroad, you automatically become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme during your stay abroad. During your stay, you are entitled to health care coverage. If you need confirmation of this right, or have questions about the right to health care coverage, please contact Helfo utland.

Travel insurance:
It is important to note that you must have additional insurance (travel insurance). This is mandatory for all HLT students going on exchange. The National Insurance Scheme provides coverage for health services, but does not cover, for example, repatriation in the event of illness. If you take out membership in ANSA (Association of Norwegian Students Abroad) you can buy their insurance that covers certain conditions that the National Insurance Scheme does not cover. You can also contact different insurance companies directly to check their offers.

• Vaccines
  Check if you need to take vaccinations before you travel.

• Semester registration at HLT
  Remember that you must approve the education plan and pay the semester fee to HLT when you are on exchange, for the current semester.

• Reminder list 
  • Make sure you have copies (paper or electronic) of important documents
  • Remember insurance
  • Vaccinate yourself

• Useful tips and websites
  • • Reiseregistrering
    • ANSA
    • Folkehelseinstituttet
    • Nav utlandet
    • Helfo utland

During your stay

Remember that you are an HLT student while you are abroad and are obliged to follow the HLT website and Moodle. .

• Information form After you have arrived at the study location you must submit the form self-declaration of study stay. You can find it in the right margin of this page. This will be sent to opptak@hlt.no.
• Preparedness If an accident should occur, it is important that you know what to do. All HLT students traveling on study abroad must familiarize themselves with HLT’s safety advice, “Safe abroad” You can find it in the right margin of this page.
• Traveler’s letter If you would like to write a travel blog, please contact bjornar.algroy@hlt.no .
• Semester registration Remember to register for the semester and pay the semester fee by the given deadlines.

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After the stay

• Printout of course syllabi It is a good idea to have a printout of course plans for evaluation afterwards, for your own part. This is in relation to whether you will apply for further education later. Then this will give an insight into whether you meet the requirements that the study requires..

• Transcript of Records Remember to order a transcript from the host institution, and send it to your study supervisor at HLT for approval of the exchange stay. You need final approval to fit the external courses into your degree at HLT..

• Ambassador It is useful to hear about what other exchange students have experienced on their travels, which is why we collect student reports from exchange stays. If you are interested in sharing your experiences with other students, you can contact the marketing department at bjornar.algroy@hlt.no.