If you are interested in the Summer in Norway: Intercultural Management – A Norwegian/Scandinavian Perspective Summer program, click here.

Fall: 15-18 weeks (early August to late December)
Spring: 15-24 weeks (January to June)
Academic Year

Spring Semester 2010 closed

NOTE: While both fall l and spring semesters have 14-15 week teaching semesters comparable to MSU, the exam period is different than MSU and may run from 3 to 5 weeks, allowing for more preparation and studying prior to the exam.  This may also make your semester as a whole run much longer than at MSU.  The fall semester exam period take place from November into December and spring exams take place from May until mid-June when the academic year formally ends in Norway.

This exchange program is sponsored by The School of Hospitality Business in The Eli Broad College of Business; in cooperation with the Norwegian School of Management (Handelshøyskolen BI), but the program is open to ALL MSU students needing business courses.

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The Norwegian School of Management (Handelshøyskolen BI), founded in 1943, is one of Norway’s largest educational institutions.  The Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University exchanges students with BI for an experience in international education and business.

Scandinavia is perhaps the closest you can come to a postindustrial knowledge economy. Scandinavian companies are also the innovators of participatory management techniques and network forms of organization. BI adds its focus on ethics and corporate social responsibility to these qualities. MSU students will benefit by studying and experiencing this “Scandinavian” perspective.  This is a general business program and is not limited to hospitality business majors.

Beyond the academic component of the program, students will also have the opportunity to deeply immerse themselves in the Norwegian customs and culture, enhancing their overall study abroad experience.

Where does it take place?

NORWAY, The Land of the Midnight Sun.  Roughly the same size as California, Norway is a long, narrow, and mountainous country.  It is covered by forests, rivers, lakes, and glaciers.  Its coastline stretches for hundreds of miles with beautiful fjords from the North Sea to the Arctic Ocean. There are roughly 1.5 million people in Norway.

The capital, Oslo, is the largest city with a population of almost 500,000.  Greater Oslo has roughly 800,000 inhabitants, nearly twenty percent of Norway.  Oslo is the business and cultural capital of the nation.  The BI campus is located in Nydalen, a 10-minute subway ride from the center of Oslo.

What can I study?

Students will have access to all courses (taught in English by BI faculty) provided they meet prerequisites for each said course.  As such, the subject matter, learning objectives and instruction models will vary.  Students should consult with the faculty leader for course selection and descriptions.
 
Courses in finance, hospitality business, management, marketing and supply chain management, communication and economics are available.    Please visit the following Web pages for more information:

Although courses will be taught in English, students will be required to take an introductory course in Norwegian language to enhance their understanding and immersion into the Norwegian culture.  Students will then have access to additional BI courses taught in Norwegian to the extent that they have learned the language.

Undergraduate students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12), maximum of twenty (20), semester credits.  Graduate students will be required to enroll in a minimum of nine (9), maximum of sixteen (16) credits.

Students will take courses along with Norwegian and other international students.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students who are of at least sophomore status at the time of studying abroad and in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

It should be noted that BI will determine final approved participants.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

A variety of housing options are available, ranging from single occupancy with private bath to larger, shared facilities.  In Norway the universities and colleges do provide housing.  The International Office at BI will help locate housing and act as your intermediary.  Exchange students are asked to contract housing through the BI International Office as the “regular” housing office does not offer contracts that are suited for the shorter stays of the typical exchange student. 

Students can also choose off-campus accommodations.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Carl P. Borchgrevink
The School of Hospitality Business
233 Eppley Center
Phone:  (517) 353-9211

John Jensen
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-8424

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

• Oslo Guide on the Internet
• Norwegian-American Foundation
• Norway Links Collection
• Official Documentation and Information from Norway (ODIN)
  A good source for official regulations, as well as general information
• Norwegian School of Management
• Norway – The Official Site in the United States
  The Norwegian Online Information Service in the U.S. has detailed and practical information about Norway
• United States Embassy Norway
• Visit Norway
  The official travel guide to Norway – a combined effort of the Norwegian Tourist authorities and tourism industries
• NAV: The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation
  This site discusses working and welfare in Norway – and includes a special section about the education system

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

If you are a U.S. citizen you are not required to have a visa, but will need a residence permit.  While residence permit can be requested upon arrival in Norway, to avoid problems, students are requested to apply and obtain residence permits before leaving for Norway.  Please visit the BI Passport and Visa information page for greater detail.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

Excluding tuition and fees, an estimated total for these costs is $8,841 (SS '10) per semester.

A program fee of $270 (SS '10) is required and includes pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*For current MSU tuition, fees, and taxes, check the MSU Student Accounts Web page.  MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

How do I apply?

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall and academic year programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).