Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Be a part of an international community during the six week summer program at The University of Oslo International Summer School (ISS). Every summer from late June to early August the ISS welcomes some 500 students from all over the world to its wide variety of graduate and undergraduate courses, mostly within the liberal arts and social sciences. A number of excursions and extracurricular activities are also offered on the program, allowing students to get to know Norway and the Norwegian culture, as well as share and learn about other cultures of the world.
The campus is located in pleasant surroundings with a sweeping view over the Oslo Fjord and the hills around the city, ten minutes from the city center by subway-to-surface rails and only minutes away from the lakes and wooded hills of Nordmarka.
Between the Oslo Fjord and the green hills of Oslomarka lies the horseshoe-shaped Norwegian capital and largest city of Oslo. The city has 343 lakes and there are 40 islands within the city limits. With just over half a million inhabitants, Oslo offers an abundance of attractions, shopping possibilities, a flourishing cultural life, and a choice of restaurants which is almost unparalleled in Scandinavia.
Getting to Your Program
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Oslo but are given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Visa
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for this program. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
You will also receive an orientation upon arrival at the University of Oslo.
Housing
Students are housed mainly at Blindern Studenterhjem (Blindern Dormitories) adjacent to the campus. Most students will be assigned to double rooms furnished with desks, single beds, dressers, tables and chairs. There are no private baths, but there is a shower for every two rooms. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on all weekdays.
It is also possible to participate as an off-campus student, with the student make his/her own board and lodging arrangements.
Excursions and Activities
The ISS offers a variety of extracurricular activities open to all its students. These activities included dance and cultural evenings, open lectures, and guided tours around Oslo including the Munch Museum, the National Gallery, the Vigeland Park and along the Aker River. All students may also participate in one weekend excursion. Excursions may include trips to Lake Mj?sa, hiking and rafting in Jotunheimen National Park, a trip to the coastline around the Oslo Fjord, and hiking trips in the Oslo forests.
The Student Council organizes a number of social, educational, athletic, journalistic or artistic get-togethers according to the talents and interests of the student body. Oslo is an ideal center for hiking, swimming and sailing, providing plenty of opportunity for independent recreation.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
ISS Pre-arrival guide (Summer - 2012-13)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Testimonials
"It was unbelievable to see a language I've studied for two years in everyday useful applications, like buying food or making friends."
"I loved the sense of pride that was in my program, and host institution. The amount of diversity was awesome, and everyone came with open eyes, ready to learn. The people really made the program!"
The ISS offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, focusing on Norwegian language and various aspects of Norwegian culture and society, as well as a number of graduate courses dealing with topics of broad international interest. The courses adopt a comparative perspective where the Norwegian case may serve as a basis for discussion. Courses are based on active student participation, and many of them include field visits.
As well as various levels of Norwegian language and literature, the following are samples of the undergraduate offerings:
Art or Architecture in Norway
Norwegian History
Gender Equality in the Nordic Countries
Contemporary Norwegian Society
Scandinavian Government and Politics
International Politics
The University of Oslo is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in Norway. It was founded in 1811 when Norway was still under Danish rule. Today the University of Oslo has approximately 30,000 students.
Affiliate Institution(s)
University of Oslo
Program Web Page(s)
Oslo International Summer School (ISS)
Foreign Courses
Available Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
