New International Students

The orientation week is Monday 13th to Friday 17th of January. There will be activities organized for all exchange students during this first week, which we advice you to join in on the fun! Your given buddies will keep you posted about the program on your Whatsapp group (which is given to you the first day).

Questions about the buddy system can be directed to hf-fadder@hf.uio.no.

Monday, 13 January

12:15 - 2:00 PM: Orientation meeting: Welcome to the Faculty of Humanities!

Welcome by the dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor  Frode Helland. 

Information about course registration, examinations and rules, IT services and practical information regarding your stay by Graciete Londrim, International Coordinator.

Meet your buddies! Your Chief buddy will divide you in groups. 

Place:  Sophus Bugges hus, Auditorium 1. 

2:00 - 3:00 PM: Campus tour 

Orientation around campus in groups, get to know each other and hang out at Uglebo before Speed-friending. 

3:00 - 6:00 PM: International food fest and Speed-friending

We get together at the 12th floor in Niels Treschows hus, get to know each other and eat some food after.

7 PM: Game night at Amatøren

We go to a student pub, Amatøren, to play some games and hang out. 

Tuesday, 14 January

10:00 - 11:30 AM: Digital orientation meeting

Important information about studying in Norway. Join the Zoom meeting from home or together in seminar room 1, at Sophus Bugges hus (booked 09:45 - 12:00 - one person will need to connect a laptop). 

12:00 - 4:00 PM: Scavenger hunt

Get to know Oslo with your buddy group! See information and tasks here.  

(As an "ice-ternative" activity some buddies will stay behind, and have coffee at Union - look for red t-shirts and join if you don't feel like walking around a lot today!). 

4:00 - 6:00 PM: Norway in a Nutshell 

Get to know Norway - our culture and quirks! Check out the event.  

Place: Georg Sverdrups hus, Auditorium 1. 

7:00 PM: Meet Up at No Name

Join a chill time at No Name bar, in the city center. We have reserved tables for "Maren" or UiO.

Wednesday, 15 January

10:00 - 11:00 AM:  Introductory Session on Academic Writing and Citation

Learn to navigate our library and essential aspects of academic writing and proper citation practices by Rannveig Windingstad, Head librarian, Humanities and Social Sciences Library. Content: University Library Resources, The Importance of Citing Sources, Plagiarism and Academic Integrity, Correct Citation and Quotation Practices, Evaluating Sources, Search & Write Online Resource.

Information about examinations at the UiO by Graciete Londrim.

Place: Georg Sverdrups hus, Auditorium 1. 

1:00-3:00 PM: Sledding day 

Join a typical Norwegian day in the slopes! Dress up in warm clothes (warm shoes, hat and gloves). See more information here. 

We recommend buddy groups to meet at Majorstuen t-bane at 11:50 (see travel route), to get to "Korketrekkeren" (see map). 

4:00-6:00: Gaming!

As an "ice-ternative" activity we have booked a table at House of Nerds, under the name "international students" - for you who are more interested in playing fun games! All it costs is one soda/coffee, and we get to play!

7:00 PM: Music Bingo at Amatøren 

The bingo starts 8:00 PM at Amatøren, and we are socializing with the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Thursday, 16 January

2:00 PM: Munch Museum

We have free tickets, and we use them together this day. 

3:30 PM: City Tour 

We take a tour around Grønland, before we meet up later. 

7:00 PM: Chateau Neuf 

We show you a student bar (see map) with lots of events during the semester. 

Friday, 17 January

11:15 - 12:00 PM: The Student Association Day

Meet student organizations and join in! Find more information here (only in Norwegian). 

12:00 - 3:00 PM: Mini Hike & BBQ

We meet at Blindern T-bane at 12:00, take the train to Sognsvann, walk around the pond (to the left when looking at the water), and have a BBQ at a fireplace. Bring warm clothes!

7:00 - 11:00 PM: Karaoke Night, at Uglebo

Our student bar Uglebo is open just for us, and they invite us on stage to sing from 8 PM. 

Saturday, 18 January

Whenever: Freaky Saturday 

Today we switch roles, and the new students plan something for their buddy group! Each group can plan their own happening, and invite their buddies (who might be too tired to join - but who knows!). 

Suggestions: Movie Night at your place? Explore Oslo during the day? A cosy cafe at Grünerløkka? Take a day off?

Happenings the rest of the semester

We end a fun week, and encourage you to continue meeting as a group!

There are events around campus weekly, and free things to do in Oslo. Being an active student and making friends will give you a meaningful time in Oslo! 

As a new exchange student you are automatically signed up to a buddy group. The Faculty of Humanities will make sure you are connected with your buddy. 

If you have questions regarding your buddy group, please contact the chief executive buddies at The Faculty of Humanities at hf-fadder@hf.uio.no