An Erasmus Semester in Norway: A photographic introduction to

Vechta’s Erasmus partner universities in Norway:
Universitetet i Bergen (Geography) and
Universitetet i Stavanger (Social Work)
Magnus Frampton, ISBS, University of Vechta
• Vechta now has Erasmus agreements with two different
Norwegian universities.
• Master’s Geography students can do a semester in Bergen
• Social services students can do a semester in Stavanger.
• The two cities are on Norway’s west coast, famous for its truly
stunning scenery.
• Whichever of these two cities you will live in, you will
probably spend time investigating both regions.
• Both are easily reachable: Ryanair offer a Bremen-Haugesund
line, from which Bergen and Stravanger are within a couple of
hours bus ride.
• This presentation, comprising photos taken on a trip to meet
social work colleagues, starts in Stavanger and its
surroundings; the second, part is made up of images from the
area around Bergen.
• Stavanger lies on the west coast of Norway.
• It is a relatively small city, with its history in fishing. It provides
easy access to the fjords, and is an integral part of the Norway
tourist trail.
• Colourful
wooden houses
in the
Skagen quarter.
• Fishermen’s houses
above the harbour
at dusk.
• You’ll find hairdresser’s with fantastic names,…
• … and some great, colourful fashion.
• Stavanger is not
just a student
and tourist city.
It is a thriving
industrial port.
The oil industry
is key to the
local economy.
• The Universitetet i Stavanger, like Vechta, is a compact
modern campus research university. The social work
department is based here in the Kjell Arholms Hus.
• This is Liv Schjelderup and Cecilie Omre from the child welfare
team.
• Courses
• A number of different social work courses are offered at
Stavanger.
• Bachelor’s courses in Child Welfare, Nursing, and Social Work
are taught.
• There are master’s courses in Health Science, Social Services
and, in the English language, Social Work with Children and
Families.
• Whilst at Stavanger be sure to check out the local scenery.
This mountain and fjord walk, a hop from the town, gives you
stunning views of the Lysefjord. Just around the corner, in the
next photo, is the famous Preikestolen rock.
• You can travel between cities by ferry, bus (with a ferry
crossing or two) or even plane. However you go, the scenery is
fantastic, and travelling in Norway is sometimes just as good as
actually arriving.
• Nordic evening sunshine on the Bryggen in Bergen.
• Germans will find Bergen’s Hanseatic
appearance quite familiar.
• One of the Hansa merchants’ warehouses is now a
museum. These were the sleeping arrangements for
employees.
• And
• The funicular railway whizzes you up one of Bergen’s many
hills, for a view of the harbour.
• I got up early the next day to use the cable car up an even
higher hill, for a real bird’s eye view of the landscape.
• Viking church doors in
the cultural history
museum.
• If you are a whale, do not
come anywhere near
Norway. This is the first
time in my life I have ever
been offered whale meat
(the black pieces, here at
the fish market).
• You might prefer the
prawns and crabs on the
next slides…
• Fish n’ chips, with malt vinegar, British style.
• Old 19th century houses
in Gamle Bergen.
• You are never far from the outdoors in Norway.
• If I were a sheep, this is where I would want to live.
• The fjords are breath-taking, whatever the season.
• I hope this photo gallery has awakened your interest. For
more information, contact Magnus Frampton
(magnus.frampton@uni-vechta.de) or the International
Office.
All photos © Magnus Frampton 2013