Activities and Excursion

Social Activities

The ISS organizes a wide variety of social events throughout the summer, ranging from tours and hikes around Oslo to cultural evenings to movie nights. These events are meant to build community among peers and enrich student experiences beyond the classroom. While students themselves have the chance to organize their own programming through an elected student council, the ISS staff also organize several events that are staples of the ISS experience each year. Below are four of the major events you can expect to attend:

Opening Ceremony

The student body is invited to University Aula and Oslo City Hall, where they are officially welcomed by the University of Oslo Rector and a representative of the mayor’s office in Oslo, along with music and speeches.

Norwegian Night

Students are invited to learn more about Norwegian culture through presentations on traditional folk dancing, bunad clothing, and fairytales, with an assortment of Norwegian snacks provided.

International Night

Students get the chance to share aspects of their culture, usually through a potluck of traditional foods and a series of performances including songs, dancing, and trivia.

Farewell Celebration

Students, staff, and faculty all gather together one last time to share company, dance, and hear closing speeches from the ISS director and the student council president.

Telemark Excursion

Students are invited to join the ISS on a two-day retreat into Telemark, a region in south-central Norway famous for its cultural heritage and sublime natural beauty. Experiences include scenic hiking trails, a visit to a medieval stave church, and accommodations at a mountain resort.

On the second day, students can take their choice of activity:

  • Relax at the Gaustablikk Fjellresort, with an assortment of amenities including a restaurant, bar, jacuzzi, sauna, and swimming pool.
  • Hike along The Saboteurs’ Trail and visit the Industrial Workers Museum, formerly the Heavy Water Plant made famous by the Norwegian resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II.
  • Hike to the summit of Gaustatoppen, one of the tallest mountains in Norway, offering a view of 1/6th of the country.

Students with private accommodations may join the weekend excursion for an additional fee of $400, subject to availability.