Maria: Welcome to our third episode of the podcast from the University of Oslo for international students interested in studying in Norway. I'm your host, Maria, and in this episode we'll talk about everyday life in Oslo: housing, finances, making friends, student organizations, and free time. With me in the studio today are two international students. Welcome!
Yingzhi: Thank you.
Kevin: Thank you.
Maria: Let's start with a quick introduction.
Yingzhi: Hi, my name is Yingzhi. I come from China and study Education, Society Change, Childhood and Youth Study.
Kevin: Hi, my name is Kevin. I come from the United States and study philosophy.
Maria: And Maria from Brazil, studying multilingualism. Talking about practical things like housing and finances, where do you live and how did you find it?
Yingzhi: I live in Ullevål Studentby in a couple's apartment with my husband. Before that, we lived in Kringsjå near Lake Sognsvann, which was very quiet and close to nature. Ullevål is closer to the city center and work.
Maria: I live in SiO student housing in Song in a studio apartment with my own kitchen and bathroom, which gives me great privacy.
Kevin: I started in SiO housing in Bjølsen with a shared kitchen and private bathroom, then moved to Kringsjå, and now I live in a private collective with two roommates found via finn.no. finn.no is the crucial Norwegian app/website for finding housing, buying used goods, and job hunting.
Yingzhi: Living with roommates during the dark winter can be great for socializing. In my shared apartment, I arranged karaoke parties and cooked meals together with Norwegian and international roommates!
Maria: What about the cost of living and part-time jobs?
Yingzhi: Oslo housing is actually reasonable compared to some European capitals. I work part-time at a Chinese restaurant. International students can work up to 20 hours per week, which easily covers housing and grocery expenses.
Maria: I work part-time at a Brazilian cafe in Oslo, which helps with expenses and connects me with the local community.
Kevin: I worked at a bar over the summer and as a student ambassador. Also, student discounts in Oslo are fantastic: 50% off public transport (Ruter), cheap opera tickets (140–150 NOK), discounted theater, and free admission to university museums like the Historical Museum and Botanical Garden.
Yingzhi: Joining events organized by SiO or UiO is a great trick — they often serve free food (like delicious pizza at Union) while providing useful career and study information!
Maria: What student organizations have you joined?
Yingzhi: I founded a student association called "Chinese Cuisine and Culture", organizing free cooking and dumpling events. I also attend "Oslo Games" for weekly ball games at Chateau Neuf.
Kevin: I joined "Filosofisk supplement", the university philosophy journal, editing English articles, and helped organize social events for philosophy master's students.
Maria: I joined "OSI Gruppedans" (Oslo Student Sports Club dance group), which offers affordable weekly dance classes and a semester show, making it easy to form Norwegian friendships.
Yingzhi: Making friends in Oslo is very accessible because of the international community and wide variety of student activities.
Maria: What do you love about Oslo as a city?
Yingzhi: Oslo is well connected for traveling in Europe, and international food markets make it easy to buy ingredients from home.
Kevin: Oslo has world-class cultural institutions like the Munch Museum, the National Museum, the National Theatre, and Litteraturhuset, seamlessly combined with nature — fjords, lakes, and forests just a short metro ride away.
Maria: Thank you both for sharing your student life experiences in Oslo! In the final episode we'll talk about writing the master's thesis and career opportunities after graduation.