2014 Handbook for International Students
International Office International Office is a part of the student administration and is in charge of all mobility programmes at Narvik University College as well as responsible for the foreign students who come to Narvik University College (NUC). You can contact us by telephone or email, or come to our office if you need assistance. We are situated in the office area behind the Service Center.
Postal address
Street address
Narvik University College International office Lodve Langes gt 2 Postbox 385 8505 Narvik Norway
Lodve Langes gt. 2 8514 Narvik Norway
Tel.: (+ 47) 76 96 60 00 Fax.: (+ 47) 76 96 68 10 Email: international@hin.no Web: nuc.hin.no
Office hours: 10:00–14:00 Monday to Friday
In case of emergency Fire department 110 Police 112 Medical emergency/ambulance
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Emergency ward 76 94 30 00 Studentinord, Narvik 926 13 191 (urgent help outside office hours)
Welcome to Narvik University College!
Dear International Student This handbook provides you with important information about procedures to be completed before and after your arrival in Norway and practical information for your stay at Narvik University College and in Narvik. Please read the information carefully and keep the handbook available during your stay as a reference. We look forward to welcoming you to Narvik and wish you all the best in your new endeavours!
Issued by International Office Narvik University College (NUC) 2014 edition
Table of Contents On Arrival
Registration with the Police on arrival Information about the residence card Norwegian ID-number Bank account in Norway Information for Quota-students
During your stay During your stay Health issues Chest X-ray and TB-test Hospitalization Health checks and medical treatment How do I find a doctor? Pharmacies in Narvik Contents/Travel Insurance Work Permit Work and income tax Renewal of residence permit Family immigration with a student in Norway
Student issues
Semester fee Semester registration Student card Username and password Accomodation during your stay After completion of studies
7 7 8 9 10 13 13 13 14 15 15 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 23 23 24 25 25 25 26
Student welfare services at NUC
Support provided by Studentinord Student organizations
Practical issues
Map of Narvik University College/NUC
29 29 31 35 39
On arrival Registration with the Police on arrival Non-EU/EEA students All non-EU/EEA-students must register at the police in Narvik, Foreigners Section. Students will be told by the International office when they need to meet at the Police Station to receive their residence card. Everyone who is granted a permit receives an accompanying letter informing them that they have to go to the police to give their signature and have their fingerprints and photo taken so that the police can order a residence card. Please obey to the scheduled time that you are given from the international office by NUC as this has been arranged together with the local police. You will find the police station at: Kongens gt. 14–18, 8502 Narvik > Information about the residence card The card is the size of a credit card and contains the following information: name, date and place of birth, citizenship, gender, type of permit, period of validity, when and where the card was issued, comments, photo and signature. There will also be a chip in the card with biometric information in the form of a photo and the fingerprints of the cardholder. This information will only be stored in the card itself. The card is personal, and you must not entrust it to anyone else. The card is not proof of identity. The card is not a travel document. The card shows 7
how long the permit is valid for and whether any restrictions apply to your permit. You must present the card on request. If you do not have it with you, you may be asked to get it. When you hold a residence permit in Norway, you are in principle also entitled to travel in the Schengen area. If you are not allowed to leave Norway, this will be stated on the card. If you are going to travel, you must bring your card and passport with you, so that you can prove that you have legal residence in Schengen.
EU/EEA students (more than 3 months) You register online at selfservice.udi.no and subsequently meet in person at your nearest police station to identify yourself and present the documents that are relevant for your basis for residence. If the conditions for registration are met, you will be issued a registration certificate. This certificate is issued free of charge and is valid indefinitely (does not need to be renewed). However, you can apply for a permanent right of residence after five years.
Norwegian ID-number All students (except Nordic students) who are going to stay in Norway for one semester or more must report to the National Registry immediately after receiving their residence card. Students, who have a permit for 6 months or more, apply for a “personal� Norwegian ID-number, a P-number, at the National Registry. Students who plan to stay for less than 6 months are not eligible to apply for a Norwegian personal ID-number, but may obtain a temporary ID-number, a so-called D-number. A Norwegian ID-number is needed in order to: 8
§§ Open a bank account §§ Obtain a tax deduction card §§ Become a member of the Norwegian Health Insurance Scheme Fill in the form “Notification to the National Registry of move to Norway from abroad” which you will find in your information bag, and bring this and supporting documents to the tax office. The form can also be found here: www.skatteetaten.no/upload/skjemaer/alltid/RF-1401E.pdf?epslanguage=en-GB NB: When you fill in the form, please make sure that you write your name EXACTLY as it is written in the passport in order to avoid misunderstanding and delays. You must bring a passport or other valid ID which shows your nationality and gender. If you are a foreign national of a country other than the Nordic countries, you must additionally show a residence permit which is valid for six months or more, alternatively proof of registration with the police authority (applies to non-Nordic EU/EEA/EFTA nationals and their families). If you are a Nordic national who is moving from a Nordic country, a driving licence from this country and a transcript issued within the last three months from the country’s National Population register is adequate ID. You will receive a written notification with your ID-number around 4–6 weeks after the application. You must hand in a copy of this to the International Office at NUC. Tax office in Narvik is found at Kongens gt. 14–18 This office is situated in the same building as the police, left entrance.
Bank account in Norway As soon as you receive the letter with your Norwegian ID-number, you can apply for a bank account in a Norwegian bank. Students that have transferred funds to the Visa Deposit Account, should open a bank account in Norway as soon as possible in order to get their money transferred to their personal account.
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Information for Quota-students > Start off grant on arrival A start off grant equivalent to two months support is paid to new quota students when they arrive at the academic institution or at the start of the semester. This scheme applies to all new quota students. The grant will be paid to each student by a bank credit slip, which must be cashed in a bank. > Application to the State Educational Loan Fund You can apply for the loan and grant and for travel support for your travel to Norway when you have received your Norwegian ID-number. You will receive the first instalment from the Loan Fund about 4 weeks after having applied. > Travel support In order to apply for travel support, you have to contact your academic institution to obtain a Q-form, which you must then fill in. The academic institution must also confirm the information in a specific field of the form. You will need to enclose your tickets with this application. > Min ID To apply to the State Educational Loan Fund you must have “MinID” codes. This is an electronic ID which is given by the tax office. To register with MinID, you need codes that are printed on a PIN code sheet issued by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). The codes are sent to the address you are registered with in the Norwegian National Registry Office (folkeregisteret). If you do not have your access codes to MinID, you can order new codes that will be sent you in the mail. Click on the “Order PIN codes” link at the bottom of the log-in page. On the next page, please enter your Norwegian personal identification number and select “Send meg PIN-kodebrev” (page in Norwegian only). Alternatively, you can ring the Norwegian Tax Administration on telephone 800 80 000. > Online application To apply for the Quota grant you must fill in an online application. This can be found at www.lanekassen.no (choose English language at the top of the page). 10
Please submit the following documents with your initial application to Lånekassen: §§ Approval of residence permit from the UDI (Directorate of Immigration). §§ Letter of admission from the Norwegian academic institution with information about the length of the educational program. §§ The Q-Form, which you obtain from your Norwegian academic institution. Please note that documents should be sent (via your academic institution) after submitting the application.
Narvik University College campus.
During your stay Health issues & Health Insurance in Norway Students from the Nordic countries: Students from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland automatically become members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme if they register as residents of Norway, entitling them to medical treatment in Norway. Students from the Nordic countries who do not register as residents of Norway will not become members of the National Insurance Scheme, but are still entitled to medical treatment according to existing conventions between the Nordic countries.
EEA/EU Students Students from EU/EEA countries must have social security coverage from their home country. They must obtain the European Health Insurance Card in their home country, which entitles them to medical treatment in accordance with the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. For further information about the card please contact the nearest insurance office in your home country. Students from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland will have to show their passport in order to receive free medical treatment as the UK has not implemented the European Health Insurance Card.
Non-EU/EEA Students If the duration of your stay in Norway is more than 12 months you automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme when you register as a resident in Norway and as a student at Narvik University College. 13
If the duration of your stay in Norway is between 3 and 12 months you should fill in a form, “National Insurance Scheme – Application for insurance during stay in Norway” entitling you to social security coverage with regard to health services in accordance with the National Insurance Scheme. You can get a form at International Office. The form must be sent to the insurance office together with the following documentation: §§ Certified copy of your passport and the residence permit stamp §§ Certified copy of the admission letter from NUC International Office can help you with the certification of the documents. Students who do not fill in this form and students who stay in Norway less than three months must have social security coverage from their home country. The National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover students before they register at NUC, after they have completed their studies in Narvik, or during any travel abroad in the course of the semester. These periods must be covered by a private insurance policy. Furthermore, the National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover dental care or illness contracted before arrival in Norway. Addresses to the local Norwegian National Insurance offices (trygdekontor) where you send the application: NAV Narvik Kongens gt. 51 8505 Narvik Tel.: 815 81 018
Chest X-ray and TB-test Norwegian law requires that foreign nationals who will be residing in Norway for more than three months must have a chest X-ray and a tuberculosis test within two weeks after arrival. This applies to all students, except students from Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. 14
The TB-test is done at campus by representatives from the hospital. They will return a few days after your initial examination. After you second appointment you will receive a card verifying that you have had your check-up. The chest X-ray is done at Narvik hospital. You will receive a letter from the hospital with a specific time for this test after some months in Narvik. The examination is free of charge. Beware that if you do not show up to your appointment, you will be charged with a fee and your residence permit might be cancelled.
Hospitalization When you are a member of the National Insurance Scheme and are admitted to hospital, you do not pay for treatment, medication or hospital accommodation.
Health checks and medical treatment When you undergo a health check or receive medical treatment, you are obliged to pay a patient’s charge (“egenandel”). This charge is paid directly to the health institution that has treated you.
Costs General consultations cost approximately NOK 150–250. The patient’s charges for medical treatment have an annual upper limit (NOK 2105 in 2014). When the fees you have paid exceed this limit, you are entitled to a fee exemption card (frikort). Generally you pay for the medicines yourself.
How do I find a doctor? > Registered residents: Norway has a system with General Practitioners, which is voluntary. Every person who is registered in the National Registry as a resident in Norway will be assigned a GP. You contact your GP when you need a health check or a consultation. If needed, the GP will refer you to a specialist or a hospital for further treatment. Students who stay for six months or longer and who have obtained their 15
Norwegian ID-number will receive a letter from NAV with a list of GPs with free capacity to receive new patients. The letter will be in Norwegian. For reading assistance you can ask the International Office or a Norwegian fellow student. Once you have been assigned a doctor, you can make an appointment when needed. You have the right to change GP a maximum of twice a year, provided there is free capacity on the requested list. > Not registered residents: If your stay in Norway is temporary and you are not registered as a resident in Norway, you will not be assigned a GP. You can contact the following health clinic when you need medical attention: Alleen legesenter Kirkegata 36 8517 Narvik Telephone: 76 96 93 00. Call to make an appointment. If your condition is serious or you need a doctor outside of office hours, you have to contact the emergency services. You will also pay a patient’s charge at the emergency ward. §§ In cases of emergency when life and health are at stake: Call the Emergency number 113 §§ In cases of injuries, fractures, etc.: Go to Legevakten (Emergency Ward) which is open 24 hours all days. Call ahead if possible. Telephone: 769 43 000 Address: Narvik Sykehus (Narvik Hospital) §§ In other cases of illness: During daytime: Contact your GP or the health clinics mentioned above. During night time, weekends and holidays: Go to Legevakten (see above)
Health checks and referrals Contact your GP/health clinic
Pharmacies in Narvik There are three pharmacies in Narvik: §§ Apotek 1 Bien Narvik – situated at Amfi shopping centre 16
Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 09.00–18.00. Sat: 10.00–15.00 §§ Svaneapoteket Narvik – situated at Narvik Storsenter (Narvik shopping centre) Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 09.00–18.00. Sat: 10.00–16.00 §§ Vitus apotek Frydenlund – situated in the same building as Coop Prix and Narvik Bowling Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 09.00–17.00. Sat: 10.00–14.00.
Contents/Travel Insurance You are strongly advised to insure all valuables (cameras, music equipment, computers, etc.) against theft. If you do not have this type of insurance, you may purchase one at a reasonable rate in Norway. You should never leave large amounts of cash in your student dormitory. If something is stolen from you, or you experience e.g. a fire, NUC or Studentinord are not able to help you financially. You are responsible for insuring all your belongings yourself. Insurance is often cheaper if you hold a student-membership in a workers union. The common unions for students at NUC are: §§ Tekna (www.tekna.no) and NITO (www.nito.no) for engineering students §§ Norsk Sykepleierforbund (www.sykepleierforbundet.no) for nursing students §§ Handel og Kontor (www.handelogkontor.no) for business administration students.
Work Permit When you are granted your first-time residence permit as a student you are automatically granted a part-time work permit. This permit allows you to work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during ordinary holidays. The permit is not specified with respect to the type of employment and you are permitted to have several employers. The part-time work permit is granted for the duration of your residence permit and when you apply for a renewal of the residence permit, the work permit is not automatically renewed. 17
To get your work permit renewed, you must submit a statement from NUC with your application, which assess whether part–time work will interfere with the progress of your studies. The reason for this is that the studies, and not the work, should be the main aim of your residence in Norway.
Finding part-time work for students Most jobs in Norway require ability to communicate in Norwegian. Experience from other foreign students indicates that it could be difficult to find part time jobs in Narvik if you do not speak Norwegian. If you are taking a master program in English language, please make sure that you are able to finance a two years stay at NUC. We recommend foreign students to take the one year language course, even if it is not necessary for your study program. NUC is unfortunately not able to help students find part-time jobs, but we suggest that you contact the local employment office for assistance: NAV Narvik Kongens gt. 51 Tel: 815 81 018 www.nav.no
Work and income tax > Tax deduction card Everyone who works in Norway must have a tax deduction card, which must be handed in to your employer. The tax deduction card shows how much tax your employer must deduct before paying your wages. In order to be able to calculate the correct tax deduction, the local tax assessment office must have information about how much you assume that you will earn in Norway and how long you will stay. To obtain a tax deduction card, you bring the following documents to the local tax assessment office: §§ A valid passport. For nationals of EEA/EU countries and Switzerland, other identity cards that are approved as travel documents within the EU are also accepted. §§ Residence or work permit 18
§§ Your employment contract §§ Your Norwegian D-number or P-number
Address of the tax assessment office in Narvik: Kongens gate 14/18 Opening hours: Mon–Fri 09.00–15.00. This office is situated in the same building as the police, left entrance. More information on tax regulations on the internet pages of the Norwegian Tax Administration and in its presentation: Working in Norway – on tax (PDF).
Renewal of residence permit The application for renewal must be submitted to the Police Foreign Section at least one month before the current permit expires. We recommend that you apply for renewal in early June. Register your application for a renewal of your permit through the online Application Portal Norway and book an appointment to hand in the necessary documentation to the local police. The application is formally registered on the date you submit your passport with relevant supporting documentation. When applying for renewal, you must hand in: §§ copy of valid passport §§ a report on the progress of your studies from the educational institution §§ a statement from the educational institution about whether part-time work will delay your study progress, and, if relevant, how many hours per week the institution feels that you can work without your studies suffering §§ documentation that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the whole period covered by the permit, if granted, and §§ an overview of the balance of your account in a Norwegian bank on the first of every month for the past six months A fee must be paid for renewal applications. If you have changed your curriculum, you must also submit a new admission letter and the new curriculum. If you are going to participate in field work, the duration of this must be 19
stated in the application. If the field work lasts for more than six months, you will only be granted a permit valid until your departure. You will then have to submit a new application from the country in which you are staying to return to Norway to complete your studies, if relevant. The police can issue a renewed residence permit if there is no doubt that the conditions for renewal are met.
Renewal of a part-time work permit You will automatically be granted a part-time work permit when you are granted a first-time residence permit as a student, but when you apply for a renewal, the police or the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) must evaluate your progress before such a part-time work permit is granted. > EU/EEA-students As a citizen of an EU/EEA/Nordic country you do not need a permit in order to live, work or study in Norway. However, you must register yourself with the authorities if you are not a citizen of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, or Sweden. Check when your registration certificate expires, and contact the police if you need renewal.
Family immigration with a student in Norway Family reunification for students from non-EEA countries is a time-consuming process, which may take up to 10 months. The requirements which must be met are specified on UDI’s website. Among the requirements are that you must be ensured sufficient subsistence for the period during which you are to live in Norway and appropriate family accommodation. In practice this means that you and the person you are applying for family immigration to join must document a minimum annual income of NOK 232 000 (as at 1st July 2011). For information about family immigration, please see www.udi.no
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Students on campus during Semester start in August.
Student issues Academic Calendar autumn semester 2014 is found on our webpage and you should check for updates throughout the year. > Official semester start: Tuesday 12th August > Information day: Tuesday 12th August > Introduction week: Starting Tuesday 12th August > End of autumn semester: 18th December > Christmas holiday: 19th December–5th January The classes start at different dates in the different studies. You will find information about the date and time in the semester start programme attached or by contacting your program. Each program will have an orientation meeting where you will get the specific information related to your courses and programmes.
Semester fee Full time Degree students (including Quota students) must pay a semester fee at the beginning of each semester. The semester fee is NOK 790. (Academic year 2014/15). The fee may be subject to change. Final dates for payment: §§ 1st September in the autumn semester §§ 25th January in the spring semester You must pay the semester fee to follow the lectures and sit for exams.
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To get your invoice for the semester fee, log on to Student Web and go to the link “Payment” where the invoice is found. It contains all the necessary information you will need in order to make the payment. You pay the invoice in the bank if you have your own bank account. If you do not have your own bank account you may pay the semester fee in Servicetorget. Remember to approve your study plan at the same time. As soon as the payment is received and your study plan has been approved in Student Web you can go to get your Student card. This card confirms that you are a current student at NUC. For the next semesters, you will find the invoice on the StudentWeb and you can pay it using the internet services of your bank. Exchange students do not pay semester fee. The international office will help you to register as a student at NUC.
Auditorium 1 at NUC.
Semester registration All full time degree students have to register on StudentWeb each semester after having paid the semester fee. To log on to StudentWeb you need the 4-digit PIN-code, which you received together with the invoice for the semester fee, and your Norwegian 11-digit P-number (see above: National ID-number) Final dates for semester registration: §§ 15th September in the autumn semester §§ 1st February in the spring semester If you need assistance with registration and fees, please contact the service centre desk located at the main entrance. 24
Student card The card is an ID-card, access-card to campus buildings and library-card all in one. After arrival you will be instructed how and when you can have the student card. For more information regarding your student card, contact the international coordinator or the student administration. The student card gives you right to discounts on public transportation in Norway (if you are under 30 years), as well as reduced fees to museums, etc. Please note that the student card is only valid for discounts together with the semester label you will have on your card when the semester fee has been paid.
Username and password NUC has a student computer network and a wireless network. To use the computers at NUC, you need a user name and password. Normally you will get this information after you have paid the first semester fee. After getting your user name and password you will have: §§ Access to the student computers at NUC and access to the wireless network §§ A 150 sheet print quota (black and white). In addition you may buy additional quota at the Service Center. §§ You can print from a private laptop when you’re logged onto the Eduroam WiFi. See nuc.hin.no/it-userguides for information on setup. §§ A personal directory for storing files in addition to shared directories in your department or faculty §§ An e-mail account §§ An It’s Learning account (The Learning Management System used at NUC) §§ Access to the wireless network Contact the IT-department at the 3rd floor (room D3160)
Acommodation during your stay The rent must be paid before the 1st every month. Studentinord uses an online service which they will give you more information about. Your invoice is found on this online service and any questions 25
must be directed to Studentinord. When you give up your room – if you move, go for field work or leave at the end of your studies – you must notify Studentinord 2 months in advance. If you move without notification or late notification, you will have to pay for the room during the term of notice. Notify International Office about your new address. Always remember to give your new address to International Office if you move. Students who are registered in the National Registry should also register the new address there by handing in a form called “Flyttemelding”.
During summer holidays You may sublet your room for the months you are away. You must ask Studentinord for permission of beforehand. Studentinord are not in charge of finding a replacement, you are. The person who sublets must also be a student.
Student housing at studentinord.
After completion of studies Remember to end your housing contract in time! Give Studentinord a forwarding address in your home country and your bank account number in Norway or in your home country, so that the refund of your housing deposit can be transferred to your account. Make sure that your room is cleaned and in proper order, and that all rent is paid. Otherwise these expenses will be deducted from your deposit. Turn in 26
key and washing card to Studentinord and return borrowed equipment to International office in proper order.
Vistors from the Chinese Embassy in Oslo with some of Chinese students at NUC.
Student welfare services at NUC Students who have paid semester fee are entitled to make use of the support provided by the student welfare organization Studentinord. Amongst them are:
Psychological and counselling services (Sosialr책dgiver) This service offers help with psychological, social and practical problems which can make the study situation difficult, and with general problems. All services are free. Access is easy and all service providers are bound to confidentiality. Tel 76 96 62 30 and e-mail sosial@hin.no or pop in at their office A2210 (next to the elevator on 2nd floor in the A block).
Kindergarden Studentinord also runs a kindergarden (Soria Moria kindergarden) which is well-situated with regard to places of study and student accommodations. We wish to make student life easier for students with children.
Soria Moria kindergarden.
The kindergarden has high quality buildings and attractive outdoor playing grounds with skilled and experience staff. You need to apply before May 1 for the following academic year. It is also possible to send an application at other times. The application will be handled along with supplementary admissions throughout the year.
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Gyms Stamina is one of Norways best all-round sport complexes. Here you’ll find all the facilities you need for training. Saunas and sun beds are also available. Price for students are NOK 335 per month (2014).
Student organizations > International Students Union ISU is an anti-racist, non-profit, non-religious, non-partisan student organization which seeks to protect the interests of international students studying in Norway. At the start of every semester international students at NUC elect an ISU-board. During the semester the ISU board arranges social activities and cooperates with other units at NUC. You will find more information at isu.hin.no > The Student Parliament This is the students’ supreme democratic body, which works on behalf of all students at NUC. The parliament’s primary goal is to promote students’ academic and social interests. It does this by working together with the college’s leadership, boards and councils, administration and staff, as well as with Studentinord, the student welfare organization. The Student Parliament also functions at the national level and collaborates with the Norwegian Association of Students (Studentenes Landsforbund – StL) and other Norwegian student parliaments. > Student Society Narvik Student Society (NSS) strives to ensure that students at Narvik University College have a varied range of recreational activities alongside their studies. In addition to running the clubs, the Christmas Party and concerts, NSS arranges student week in Narvik. This is held in the same week as Vinterfestuka (Winter celebrations week) in Narvik. Vinterfestuka is a cultural festival with an historical framework built around the railroad activities. Music, dance, theatre, outdoor activities, exhibitions, seminars and a whole range of other fun activities are on offer from early in the morning to late at night. www.samfunnet.no > Students sports club The students’ sports organisation is called HIN-IL and is made up of several clubs including football, outdoor activities, indoor bandy, volleyball, kickbox30
ing, table tennis and dancing. Adjacent to the college is a modern sports centre (called friskhuset) with facilities for weight training, aerobics, spinning, boxing and Northern Norway’s best climbing hall. The students pay special prices at this sports centre. > Study buddy Every autumn the student representative program for all new students (fadderordningen) starts up. You and your group will be allocated your own student rep’ (fadder) who will help you get familiar with the college, courses, fellow students, and what the town of Narvik has to offer. Concerts, walking trips in the mountains, puzzle solving with orienteering by car and climbing are just some of the activities. Every autumn and spring a day is set when each of the different clubs in the student body presents itself and gives you an insight into what you can do in your free time.
Study buddy activities during semester start.
> Student bar The Student bar “Teknikern” is the students’ main hangout. Teknikern is run by students on a voluntary basis and has very student-friendly prices. Otherwise you can find: §§ Billiard club §§ Computer club (SysRq) §§ Electronics club §§ Outdoor activities group (Jägermeister) §§ Music club (Støy) §§ Hobby Model club §§ Motor club (Eksos) 31
§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§
Robot club (Robotech) Narvik Student radio Games club Student newspaper (Origo) – www.origo.no Student choir (zingzano) Photography club (The Apertures) and others
Health Fund - Financial support for medical treatment Reimbursement of expenses for medical treatment: The Studentinord Health Fund will reimburse medical consultation fees exceeding NOK 500 and up to NOK 2105 (2014). If your expenses for medical consultations during a year exceed NOK 2105, you will receive the fee exemptions card (frikort). If you have great medical expenses you can apply to the Health Fund for financial support. You may apply for support for treatments specified by doctors, physiotherapists and chiropractors. You may also apply for partial coverage of medically related expenses for transportation. Please note that you have to pay for medicines yourself, and these costs will not be reimbursed. > How and where to apply for Health Fund support? The first time you go to the doctor, you should get a green and white receipt card, which you bring each time you have a medical consultation. The consultation fee should be signed for on the card each time, as only expenses signed for on the card will be refunded. Application forms and guidelines for financial support are available at the Service Centre or the Psychological and counselling services office. The application must be supported by medical documentation (receipts) and a valid student card. The refund application can be presented at the Service Centre. The application dead line for one year is 20th of January the following year.
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Some of the International students at NUC tries out ice skating.
Practical issues Cellular phones As almost everybody in Norway have their own cell phone, payphones are not easily available anymore. If you are going to stay in Norway for a longer period and you don’t have a cell phone you may find it useful to get one. There are many different options and offers, and you can get further information in telecommunication stores or stores which sell electrical equipment. If you bring your own cell phone, you can buy a subscription at a Norwegian telephone company or use pre-paid cards. You can buy a subscription when you have a Norwegian ID-number. To buy a pre-paid card, you need to show an ID-card.
Bicycles If you want to buy your own bicycle, you can buy it in sportswear stores or special bicycle stores. Some stores sell used bicycles or you can check at the internet marketplace for used articles: www.finn.no
Shopping facilities The cheapest shops for food and groceries are the supermarkeds Rema 1000 and Kiwi. Kitchen equipment can be purchased cheaply at Clas Ohlson or Nille. Data equipment can be bought at Expert or Elkjøp as well as smaller retailers. Narvik has two larger shopping malls, named Amfi and Narvik Storsenter, in addition to a wide range of shops in the city center. > Second hand stores in Narvik: Narvik Red Cross has one shop located in Kongens gt 20. Agenda has a second hand store located in Narvik Harbour, Fagernesveien 22.
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Language The native language in Norway is Norwegian. You will perhaps notice during your stay that there are two standards of written Norwegian (bokmül and nynorsk). This has its background in Norway’s special history and development. In addition, Norway has many dialects. However, the differences are not difficult to handle for a Norwegian native speaker, but for a person learning the language it may be difficult in the beginning. NUC offers a one year course in Norwegian language and society for students who want to learn Norwegian before starting their studies.
Climate Norway has four seasons with marked changes in climate: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The climate may vary from south to north and from the coast to inland areas. The weather may also change from day to day from sunny to rainy and from warm to cold. You can find information about the weather at the Norwegian weather channel: www.yr.no
The Fagernes mountain gondola in wintertime.
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The food court during international week arrangement at nuc.
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opening ceremony of the international week arrangement at nuc.
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You’ve made the right choice regarding your education, studying at Narvik University College. NUC aims to be the leading technological centre for higher education in Northern Norway. international@hin.no nuc.hin.no
Lodve Langes gt. 2 P.O. Box 385 8505 Narvik Norway
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