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PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE

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WELCOME TO VOLDA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE We are happy that you chose Volda University College (VUC) for your exchange studies and look forward to welcoming you to Volda in a short while. This pre-arrival guide sums up the most important information you will need as a new international student at VUC. You can find more information about Norway and Volda region on websites such as www.visitnorway.com and www.visitalesund-geiranger.com/en/ The International Office team at VUC includes a trainee and an assistant, both working in Pangaia, the international meeting place on campus. In the office you will meet Iulia Beleuta, Incoming Mobility Coordinator, Marthe Osmundsen, Outgoing Mobility Coordinator, and Arne Humberset, Head of the International Office.

We are all looking forward to meeting you in Volda in August :)

The International Office Team

EMERGENCY NUMBER INTERNATIONAL OFFICE +47 994 70 351

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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE 6 APPLY FOR HOUSING

8 ARRANGE FOR VISA AND PERMITS

10 BOOK YOUR TICKETS

12 ARRANGE FOR INSURANCE

14 REMEMBER TO BRING

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AFTER YOU ARRIVE 16 ARRIVAL SERVICE

18 REGISTRATION IN NORWAY

20 LIVING EXPENSES

22 ORIENTATION WEEK

24 MAP OF VOLDA

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APPLY FOR HOUSING SfS, the Student Welfare Organization in Volda, provides you with reasonably priced accommodation. Apply for housing online at: http://www.boligtorget.no/sfs/ Application deadlines: Spring semester: 15th of November Autumn semester: 1st of June Your housing application must be marked with “Exchange student.” For any questions regarding housing in the student residences (rent, housing types, etc), contact [email protected]

International students are accomodated in Porse or Heltne dormitory, which are affordable and in short walking distance from the campus. A standard room is furnished with a bed, desk, lamp, wardrobe, bookshelf and an armchair. Internet connection (not wireless) is included in your rent and a network cable can be borrowed from the SfS Office. Upon arrival you will be able to borrow kitchen equipment, bedsheets, duvet and a pillow from the International Office. The bathroom is usually shared with one other student and you will share the kitchen with 3-6 other students. There are laundry rooms with washing machines and dryers in the dormitories.

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ARRANGE FOR VISA AND PERMITS EU/EEA Citizens

EU/EEA citizens do not need to apply for visa/residence permit, but must register with the police after arrival in Norway. After your arrival, you must meet in person at the local police station (see page 18).

non EU/EEA Citizens

Non EU/EEA citizens must apply for a student residence permit before departure from their home country and as soon as possible after admission. More information about applying for residence permit can be found on the website of the nearest Norwegian embassy (www.norway.info) and the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, www.udi.no/en. After your arrival, you must meet in person at the police station (see page 18).

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BOOK YOUR TICKETS We recommend that you arrive in Volda between 4th and 10th January 2016. If you plan on arriving outside these dates you should contact us before booking your tickets. From Oslo to Volda

From ålesund to Volda

We recommend that you fly to Ørsta/Volda airport (Hovden) via Oslo airport (Gardermoen). The flight from Oslo to Ørsta/Volda airport takes approximately 1 hour. Look for youth/student tickets which are cheaper. Also, you should book in advance, as the cheapest tickets are sold out quickly. Ørsta/Volda airport is located only 10 minutes drive from Volda and we arrange pick-up service from the airport as long as you arrive within the recommended dates. For tickets Oslo-Volda see: www.wideroe.no

An alternative is to fly to Ålesund airport Vigra. From the airport take the airport shuttle to Moa (bus terminal). From Moa there are connecting buses to Volda every hour. The travel time from the airport, via Moa, to Volda is about 2,5 hours. Note that the bus tickets will be app. 25 EUR and that you must check the bus schedule to make sure that you can catch the connecting bus. Visit www.frammr.no to find the connection.

Another way to get from Oslo to Volda is to take the night bus. The bus leaves from downtown Oslo and stops by Oslo airport Gardermoen on the way to Volda (rutebilstasjon). The journey takes a little over 8 hours and the cheapest youth ticket will cost about 50 EUR. You can book at www.nettbuss.no.

There are two daily flights from Bergen to Ørsta/ Volda airport as well. The flight takes about one hour. See www.wideroe. no to book your tickets. It is possible to take a bus from Bergen to Volda (7,5 hours). Note that there are few departures, so check the schedule carefully at www.nor-way.no

From bergen to Volda

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ARRANGE FOR INSURANCE EU/EEA Citizens Health Insurance Students from EU/EEA countries should bring a valid European Health Insurance Card or equivalent. The card is required when you need medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme.

Please note that this insurance doesn`t cover dental care or prescription drugs. Furthermore, the European Health Insurance Card does not cover costs of repatriation.

TRAVEL INSURANCE We strongly recommend that you buy travel insurrance in case of lost luggage, illness, cancellations etc...

NON EU/EEA Citizens Health insurance Non EU/EEA citizens will have to document health insurance in order to receive student residence permit. Non EU/EEA citizens planning to stay in Norway longer than 12 months must apply for membership in the Norwegian National Health Scheme. For non EU/EEA citizens staying in Norway for 3-12 months the membership in the Norwegian National Health Scheme is voluntary but highly recommended.

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REMEMBER TO BRING PASSPORT

Towels

Umbrella

tOILETRIES

Waterproof jacket

Swimsuit

Hiking/WINTER SHOES

mEDICINE

Around 500 Nok In cash for buss/food/taxi upon arrival HEALTH INSURANCE CARD

Bank card( s) WINTER CLOTHES

* Do not bring money in EUR or other currencies as it is not possible to exchange in the area.  There are exchange possibilities ONLY at Oslo airport.

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ARRIVAL SERVICE

Volda University College provides you with a warm welcome when you arrive. We will provide a pick-up service from the local airport or the local bus station, given that you announce your arrival by latest 10th December. Note that International Office will be closed for Christmas Holiday in the period 21st December - 4th January! You will also receive a welcome package that will contain basic cooking utensils, cutlery, a duvet, a pillow and bed sheets. If necessary you can buy more at the local second-hand shop. During your first days in Volda, you will be taken to the Student Housing Office sort out details about accommodation.

Please keep in mind that the pick-up service is offered for arrivals between the recommended dates, 4th to 10th January. We ask that you contact us if you arrive outside these dates.

In case you missed your flight or the flight was delayed you may call us:

+47 994 70 351

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International Office car

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REGISTRATION IN NORWAY EU/EEA Citizens Students from EU/EEA countries have to register with the police upon arrival (citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, or Sweden do not need to register) You can find more at: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration After your arrival, you meet in person at the police station to identify yourself. You will be informed about this in the information meeting. At the police station you will have to present the following documents: 1) Receipt of the online application 2) Passport 3) Acceptance letter from VUC 4) European Health Insurance Card or equivalent insurance 5) Personal declaration stating that you have sufficient funds to support yourself

non EU/EEA Citizens Non EU/EEA citizens must apply for student residence permit before coming to Norway (see page 8). Please contact the official authorities in your country soonest possible after you were accepted to Volda, to make sure the visa/resident permit process if completed before you travel to Norway. Once you arrive in Volda you must meet in person at the police station to get your residence permit card. At the police station you will have your photograph and fingerprints taken, and then the police will order a residence card for you. It will take up to 10 working days from the date you registerd until the residence card is sent to you by mail.

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LIVING EXPENSES

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Therefore, the prices might be significantly higher compared to your home country. You should expect that your monthly expenses will be around 700-800 EUR (flat rent included). Also please note that it can be difficult to get a part-time job in Volda. On the other hand, the best things in Volda are for free! Hiking and cross country skiing and many other outdoor activities in the surrounding countryside will cost you nothing. There is also no need for public transport to the school as the dorms are a short walk from campus. Free activities are hosted by the International Office regularly, like the international nights at Rokken twice a month, excursions, competitions, etc.

If you volunteer at the student house Rokken twice a month, as many international students do, you will get free entrance to most concerts and events that take place here.

PRICE EXAMPLES HAIRCUT (men/women)



bus (Ørsta -Volda)

50/85 EUR 5 EUR

TAXI (Ørsta airport-Volda centre)

30 EUR

soup in the school canteen

2,5 EUR

MOVIE TICKET

12 EUR

A glass of beer CIGARETTES 20



7 EUR 12 EUR

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Food prices Milk liter

2

EUR

Bread

3

EUR

Juice 1,5 liter

2

EUR

Butter

2,5 EUR

Frozen pizza

5

Yogurt

1,5 EUR

Bananas kg

2,5 EUR

Potatoes kg

2

Tomatoes kg

3 EUR

EUR

EUR

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ORIENTATION WEEK

International Office, Pangaia and the Student parliament will organize welcome and get-to-know-each-other activities in the first week in Volda. Also, important information meeting will be held during the first week. It is therefore important that you consider these things, before you book your tickets. After the Introductory week, you can regularly meet other students in Pangaia , which is located in the heart of the campus, in Berte Kanutte building, next to the cafeteria. Pangaia is a home-away-from-home for most of the students (international and local) and many of them stop by to have a small chat with friends while drinking a cup of tea/coffee and listening to other students who play the guitar, particularly during the lunch break.

During the first week you will get : A student card IT-username and password Semester receipt The student card gives you access to the buildings on campus and also functions as a library card and enables you to use the printers. With the IT-username and password, you can access the PCs on campus and log in to Fronter (the virtual classroom for your courses). The semester receipt is the formal proof of your student status at VUC and may be needed to obtain student discounts on transport in Norway etc.

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A MAP OF VOLDA Volda University College lies within walking distance from Volda centre. Furthermore, all student residence are found around the campus. 22. Bus station The Campus

23. Kometland - astronomy centre

1. Berte Kanutte-building (BK)

24. Mylnå café

ØRSTA–VOLDA LUFTHAMN HOVDEN

2. Synnøve Riste-building (SR)

29. Longboard hill

8. Heltne student residences

30. Volda ski centre

9. Myrane student residences

31. Volda riding club

10. Porse student residences

32. Golf course

11. Røysmarka student residences

33. Sand volley

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35. Volda Hunting ans Fishing club

12. Church

36. Outdoor football stadium

13. Cinema

37. Indoors football stadium

14. Hospital

38. Skatepark

15. Volda Turisthotel

39. Volda Dirt park

16. Rokken - student house

40. Munken - bading

17. SfS

41. Hiking path

18. Stamina Trening centre

42. Frisbee golf

19. Det Grøne Treet

43. CENTRE

20. Volda highschool

44. Shoppingcentre

21. Health Clinic

45. Outdoor tennis court

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HALLKJELSGA

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34. Årneset - grill and swimming Places in Volda

OTTAMARKA

GA TA

sports hall)

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28. Volda Diving club

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7. Idrettsbygget (swimmingpool and

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27. Utrøna sailing club

KK

6. Pavilions A, B, C

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26. Volda sports hall

LJE

5. Henrik Kaarstad-building

44 29 SE

25. Climbing silo

D UN EIM ES ÅL NDH O TR

4. Hans Strøm-building

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Activities

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3. Ivar Aasen-building

HAMNEGATA / E39

VOLDSFJORDEN

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SUNNMØRSALPANE

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ANDERS VASSBOTN–VEGEN

ROTEVATNET

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Now just pack your luggage and be ready for the experience that you will never forget!

See you in Volda!

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