Continuing my journey of gathering more and more information and past students experiences, here comes the second interview with one my dearest friend and colleague. Find out about his application journey, his time during his studies in Norway, and what he did after he finished his master degree.
- Tell me a little bit about yourself (name – if you want, age, where you come from)
Coming from an Eastern European country and am 31 years old.
2. What have you studied in your home country? (Where did you take your bachelor degree?)
I did my bachelor in a rather small industrial city at the Oil and Gas University of Ploiesti. After 4 years I have received my diploma in BSc. in Chemical Engineerin
3. How did you decide to apply for a master degree in Norway and why?
There was a three-fold reason. Firstly, one of my friends has been to Norway before and she was quite determined to pursue her studies in Norway. I thought it would be good if we apply together. Secondly, after some reading, I appeared to be quite tempting to visit Norway. Finally, tuition fees were covered by the state and I thought this is a good incentive.
4. Tell us a little bit about the preparation period for your application. Did you find the process difficult?
Filling in the application was quite easy and straight forward. Cannot really recall though what info was needed.
5. What was your average GPA (your average grades?)
6. What English test did you take? (in case you had to take a test)
I had to document my English language skills and I decided to take TEOFL.
7. Did you have to provide financial proof? If yes, how did you do that? Did you had the money or did you make a loan?
Since I am coming from an Eastern European country, I had to provide financial proof. I needed to transfer into the university account a certain amount which should have been enough for me to stay in Norway for the 2 years of my Master program. This was a mandatory condition for obtaining the visa. Upon arrival, after opening a bank account in my name, the money was transferred from the university account into my account.
8. When did you receive your acceptance letter?
9. How was the process of applying and receiving the visa? Did it take a long time? Where did you apply for it?
Visa was obtained fairly quickly (if I remember well, within a couple of weeks)
10. How was your first week in Norway?
I have met a lot of people and had to get used to speaking only English. In general, I found the university impressive, teachers and colleagues friendly, food expensive, so it didn’t take long until I bought a bike.
11. How did you find the food here?
I would not say I am very picky when it comes to food, so I would say food is good, but expensive (much more expensive than the places where I lived before.
12. Was it easy to make friends?
13. How was the university? Were there too many differences between NTNU and your home university?
Very much liked the attitude of the teachers and student assistants. Friendly and always eager to help. People are genuinely interested in you understanding the subject and do their outmost to explain you all the details you are interested in, even if this requires more time.
14. Where did you live?
Moholt student village (shared apartment with other 3 students)
15. Do you remember how much money you spent per month while you were a student?
16. Was it difficult to find a part time job?
One of my friends and I have probably been in each and every bar, restaurant, cafeteria and hotel in the city, handing in our CVs, but no luck. The luck came when I managed to sign a contract for a summer internship at the end of the second semester.
17. Did you have a summer job?
I was lucky to get a summer job in one of the state-owned companies
18. What did you do in your spare time?
Really liked playing pool at the student house.
19. How difficult were the courses at the university? How about the exams?
Only a couple of courses appeared a bit more difficult to me. Other than this, subjects felt like a natural continuation of what I studied during my Bachelor. Exams require proper preparation, but I would not say that questions were super difficult. If you attend the courses and complete your assignments on your own, there is a rather low chance of failing. It would require more effort though to get an A.
20. What did you do after you completed your master program?
Not only I was lucky to get a summer job in the end of the year 1, I was also lucky to sign a contract for permanent job in the end of year 2.
21. Would you recommend other students to come and study in Norway?
I liked a lot my student life at NTNU and the city I lived in. There is a lot this place and Norway in general could offer, and it really depends on what you are willing to go for (which in turn, to a certain extent, depends on your budget as well 😊)
Thanks again!