north2north stories: Exchange report from Bergen

My exchange at University of Bergen was a memorable and valuable experience both academically and personally. One of the best parts of the exchange was simply living in Bergen. The nature surrounding the city is beautiful and there are endless opportunities for hiking, travelling, and exploring nearby areas and the rest of Norway as well.

Spending time outdoors became a natural part of everyday life, and I understand very well why Norwegians value nature so highly. The exchange was an opportunity to experience everyday life in the Nordic region from a new perspective and to deepen my understanding of the relationship between people and the environment in northern societies. One of the most valuable aspects of the exchange was experiencing the North through everyday life rather than as a visitor.

During my time in Bergen, I studied environmental psychology as well as Norwegian language and culture. Studying Norwegian language and culture was especially interesting because I noticed how much Finns and Norwegians have in common. In many ways, Norwegians reminded me of Finns: people are generally calm, practical and appreciate their own space, but at the same time very kind and trustworthy. I feel that our countries can learn a lot from each other, and living in Norway helped me appreciate both the similarities and differences between our cultures.

Environmental psychology felt especially meaningful in Bergen, where nature is present everywhere in daily life. The mountains, fjords, changing weather and strong outdoor culture made many of the themes discussed in class feel more real. The studies encouraged me to think critically about how environments shape wellbeing, social interaction and communities, and how northern societies balance sustainability, urban life and closeness to nature.

One of the most important things I gained from the exchange was the people I met. I made Norwegian friends during my stay, and I know I want to return to Bergen in the future. The exchange also made me more confident about adapting to new situations and living abroad. Even though Norway is culturally close to Finland, living there still challenged me to step outside my comfort zone. As cliché as it sounds, sometimes you need to go far away to see what is close to you. Living in Norway made me appreciate the Nordic way of life and many aspects of Finnish culture in a new way. I felt very comfortable in Norway, and the experience strengthened my interest in Nordic cooperation and international experiences in the future.

I would definitely recommend Bergen as an exchange destination for other students. The university offers interesting courses, the city is surrounded by incredible nature, and it is an easy place to feel at home while still experiencing something new. Bergen feels at the same time big and a small city!