Hello ! Welcome to this new blog, where today I’m going to tell you more about doing an internship abroad in hospitality in Norway. Choosing the Kingdom of Norway (yes, that’s its official name) for your internship can be an amazing idea both personally and professionally. Norway is located in Northern Europe, exactly in the northern part of Scandinavia. It’s known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” due to its geographical location, which causes 24-hour daylight in the northern part of Norway in the summer, and, conversely, days without sunrise in the winter. When talking about this country, people usually think of its stunning landscapes, fjords, and the Northern Lights. Norway’s economy is thriving, and it offers a high quality of life to its residents. It’s a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The capital of Norway is Oslo. After this brief introduction, I’ll let you continue reading and discover why doing an internship abroad in hospitality in Norway is a great idea and the recommended destinations in the country for such an experience.
Why choose Norway for an internship in hospitality?
Norway offers a high quality of life, which it’s well known for. The cities are very clean, and it’s a very safe country, with a relatively low crime rate. Norway is also an excellent destination for your hospitality internship because the country has a great work-life balance, with reasonable working hours that allow you to enjoy your free time outside of internship hours. The tourism sector in Norway is growing rapidly, and there are many internship opportunities, ranging from luxury hotels to eco-lodges. You’ll be able to find an internship that perfectly matches your goals and aspirations. Another bonus is that although the country’s official language is Norwegian, the majority of Norwegians speak English, so you can easily do an English-speaking internship here. Norway is also a country with people from different cultures and nationalities, which is a great way to enrich your international experience. Norway also hosts many events and conferences in the hospitality industry, providing great opportunities to expand your professional network. This experience in Norway will be a valuable addition to your CV since the country is well-recognized in the hospitality industry and will enhance your international professional experience. It’s a beautiful country with stunning landscapes, ranging from mountains to gorgeous beaches. During your free time, you’ll be able to travel to other cities in Norway to explore even more scenic spots. Norway also offers many outdoor activities, and depending on the season of your internship, you’ll have several options for leisure activities, making your stay even more enjoyable! You can do hiking, skiing, or even fishing. As you can see, Norway has many benefits for doing an internship abroad in hospitality.
Where to do your internship in hospitality in Norway?
- Oslo
As mentioned earlier, Oslo is the capital of Norway. This city is home to many hotels, ranging from luxury hotels to boutique ones. The many hotels in Oslo will allow you to choose an establishment that perfectly matches what you’re looking for and will enable you to perform the tasks that interest you and/or align with your educational goals if you are studying hospitality. As you might expect, being the capital, Oslo is a major economic and cultural center, meaning there are many internship opportunities in hospitality. Doing your internship abroad in hospitality in Norway, especially in the capital, will expose you to international clientele, allowing you to interact with clients and colleagues in English, French, or other languages you might speak. This will make your experience even more enriching and will help you improve your language skills. Oslo is also a green city, with many parks and green spaces. For the curious ones, this city also boasts many museums that you can visit during your free time while in Norway. One example is the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, where Viking ships from the 9th century are on display. The city also hosts cultural events throughout the year. Finally, Oslo is known for its high quality of life, with a clean and safe environment. In summary, doing your internship in Oslo can be an excellent idea, as you’ll be able to explore the city during your free time while gaining valuable professional experience.
- Bergen
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city. The tourism sector is rapidly growing here, making it one of Norway’s top tourist destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world. The city is located near the famous fjords and is often called “The Gateway to the Fjords” of Norway. The spectacular landscape of this city draws visitors from all over, creating a high demand for hospitality services. If you decide to do your internship in hospitality in Bergen, you’ll have the chance to meet many people in the industry and improve your language skills, especially in English. Like Oslo, Bergen offers a wide range of hospitality establishments, allowing you to find an internship that suits you perfectly. The residents of Bergen are open-minded and welcoming to international interns. Bergen is also the starting point for cruises to Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. If you do your internship in Bergen, I highly recommend taking a cruise to Sognefjord. In your free time, you can do outdoor activities such as hiking or kayaking, or if you prefer, you can enjoy cultural activities. Bergen is famous for its music festivals, theaters, and museums. I’m sure you’ll find activities that you’ll enjoy during your stay in Bergen.
- Tromsø
Tromsø is another great destination for an internship abroad in hospitality in Norway. This city is known as “The Gateway to the Arctic” due to its location and its status as one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. Tromsø is also where you can experience the “Midnight Sun,” meaning that in the summer, the sun never sets, and it’s daylight 24/7. During this period, there are even night-time tourist activities. The hospitality sector in Tromsø is in high demand as the city is a stopover for Arctic cruises. Many outdoor activities, such as dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, fishing, and hiking, take place here, attracting many visitors and thus creating a demand for hospitality services. The hospitality industry in Tromsø is rapidly growing due to the rise in Arctic tourism, creating many internship opportunities. Working in such an extreme and tourist-heavy environment allows you to gain unique skills in hospitality and customer service. The unique climatic conditions here will also give you insight into how the hospitality industry adapts to these conditions while maintaining an environmentally friendly approach. In summary, Tromsø offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can enrich your professional skills and enjoy the beauty of the Arctic while improving your language skills.
That’s it! We’ve reached the end of this blog. Let’s summarize everything I’ve discussed. Norway is an excellent destination for an internship abroad in hospitality. It’s a country with many advantages and a growing tourism industry. You’ll have plenty of options in terms of tasks, types of hospitality establishments, and cities to choose from for your internship. Each city has its own unique characteristics and is interesting for the hospitality industry. It’s up to you to find the city that best fits your preferences. Of course, we’re here to help you in your journey. Sign up on the website, and a member of the International Horizons team will get in touch with you soon to refine your project together. In the meantime, check out the blog for tips on how to do your internship in Norway, where you’ll find more useful information about the destination. If you have more questions, feel free to check out our FAQ, where you’ll likely find the answers you !