Going to Norway: everything they don’t tell you before your Erasmus internship
Alright, now that it’s just us, let me explain a few things to you. Because yes, you’re going to Norway, and on paper, it looks simple: Europe, safety, a bit cold sure, but nothing you can’t handle. But my friend, living there is a whole different world. And it’s better to know this before you experience it shockingly when you arrive in Oslo.
So, relax, grab a coffee (or hot chocolate, we’re setting the mood) and read carefully what follows. It will save you from some surprises and, above all, a few lonely moments.
First, let’s talk about discipline.
Norwegians aren’t strict or anything like that. It’s just that they naturally respect the rules. Not because they’re afraid of fines or the police, but because they see it as logical, something that keeps society running and helps everyone live together peacefully.
A simple thing: pedestrian crossings. In France, you do a quick mental calculation: do I have enough time to cross before the car arrives? You take a quick glance and maybe speed up a bit. In Norway? You step onto the crossing, and the car stops immediately. Always. Even at 3 a.m. in the snow. No one honks. No one sighs. It’s just normal.
At work, it’s the same.
In France, there’s respect for titles, ranks, and bosses you don’t always address informally. Over there? Everyone is on equal footing. You call the boss by their first name. You can share your opinion, even if it’s completely different from theirs. And they’ll listen to you. Decisions are often made as a team. Everyone has a say. And above all, no one brags about staying late at the office. Finishing at 4:30 or 5 p.m. is totally normal. You work during working hours, then go home to enjoy your family or go skiing. No one will judge you for that. Actually, quite the opposite: if you stay late all the time, people will mostly wonder if you’re just badly organized.
Children also grow up differently.
From a young age, they’re taught to be independent. School is meant for learning things, not for teaching behavior—that’s the parents’ job. You’ll sometimes see children playing outside without fences or strict supervision. If something happens, the teacher or school won’t automatically be blamed. Responsibility is shared between the parents and the adults present. This helps develop a very responsible mindset from childhood.
Food… that’s something you’ll have to get used to.
Forget our three solid meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner—that’s how we do it. Over there, they eat… four times a day.
First, breakfast around 6 or 7 a.m.: dark bread, brown cheese (the famous brunost—you’ll either love it or hate it), smoked salmon, eggs, and liters of drip coffee. Then, around 11 a.m., a quick lunch, often cold: open-faced sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese, raw veggies. At 4 p.m., a proper hot meal (yes, you read that right), with meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, hearty soups. Finally, around 9 p.m., a small snack before going to bed.
Why this strange schedule? Because with the winters they endure, where the temperature happily dips below -20°C, the body needs regular fuel to keep going.
Personally, it took me weeks to get used to eating a hot meal in the middle of the afternoon. But when you spend your days outside in the freezing wind, you quickly understand why it’s done that way.
Now, hold on tight: let’s talk about evenings.
In France, the aperitif, a little glass of wine after work, the bottle lingering on the table during dinner… that’s our everyday life. In Norway, on weekdays, it’s almost mission impossible. Alcohol is outrageously expensive because of very high taxes. As a result, Norwegians drink very little during the week.
But on the weekend… that’s a different story. On Friday and Saturday, everyone goes out and drinks, sometimes way too much. In the streets of Oslo or Bergen, you’ll see people of all ages, quite drunk, looking for their taxi or gently staggering down the street.
To get around the high bar prices, they invented the “vorspiel” (pre-party). People gather at someone’s place, drink cheaply at home, and then head out to the bars to finish the night. It’s deeply rooted in their culture. If you’re invited to a vorspiel, don’t hesitate for a second—you’ll experience the real Norwegian vibe.
Nature isn’t just a backdrop for them—it’s vital.
The key word here is friluftsliv — life outdoors. No matter the weather, whether it’s snowing, raining, or -15°C, Norwegians go outside. Skiing, hiking, kayaking, ice fishing… anything to breathe the fresh air. Even babies nap outside in their strollers, all bundled up.
You’ll quickly see that Norwegians are better equipped than anyone to face the climate. Their mantra: “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” And you’ll soon invest in real down jackets and waterproof shoes. It’s not advice, it’s a matter of survival.
Their consumption habits are also very different from ours.
In France, we like to buy, take advantage of sales, and change clothes or gear often. In Norway, people buy less but choose quality. It’s better to buy a high-quality down jacket that lasts ten years than to replace it every winter. Showing off wealth is frowned upon. Gifts are simple and modest. Even among friends, people keep things very low-key.
Fun fact that will shock you: their incomes are public. Yes, really. You can check how much your neighbor earns. Tax transparency is complete, and everyone pays their taxes without complaining because everyone benefits from high-quality public services.
And silence… let’s talk about it.
In France, silence during a conversation feels awkward. We want to fill the gaps, break the silence. In Norway, not at all. Silence is perfectly normal. It’s even a form of respect. There’s no need to talk just for the sake of talking. You can spend a long time with someone without exchanging many words, and that’s totally fine.
But above all, trust is everywhere.
In Norway, people naturally trust each other. You’ll see strollers with babies outside cafés while the parents are inside. You can leave your bag in a corner without worrying. Even bikes are often left unlocked. Of course, it’s not absolute paradise, but the level of trust is impressive, especially if you’re coming from France.
When it comes to sports, get ready once again.
In Norway, doing sports is a way of life. From a very young age, children learn to ski, walk, and hike. Adults keep it up their whole lives. On Sunday afternoons, while in France people stay at the table for hours, they’re out in the forest, on the slopes, or cycling.
Even ecology isn’t just talk.
Norwegians are truly eco-friendly in their daily lives: waste sorting, reduced consumption, public transport, and renewable energy (almost 100% of their electricity comes from hydropower). Ecology has been part of their culture for a long time—not because it’s trendy, but because it makes sense.
And what about the weather?
The weather has a huge impact on social life. In winter, the sun disappears very early, sometimes as early as 2 or 3 p.m. So, they developed “kos”: a cozy atmosphere at home with candles, blankets, and hot chocolate. And when summer comes, and the sun hardly sets, it’s a non-stop party: barbecues, evenings on terraces, hikes until midnight… they enjoy it to the fullest.
In short, going to Norway isn’t just about visiting a country. It’s about discovering another world.
Yes, it will sometimes surprise you. Sometimes frustrate you. But above all, it will transform you. You’ll learn to live differently, to see things from a new perspective. And believe me: you won’t come out the same.
So if you’re ready to take the plunge, we at International Horizons are here to help you prepare for your internship, Erasmus, or stay there. And seriously: don’t forget your down jacket. Really. You’ll quickly understand why.
One last little piece of advice before you go
In the end, Norway isn’t just a simple trip—it’s a real life lesson. You’ll learn to slow down, to respect others in a different way, to appreciate the calm, nature, and even… silence. You’ll step out of your comfort zone, and that’s where the magic happens. So don’t be afraid of these differences. Embrace them. That’s what going abroad is all about: discovering that the world is vast, and that there are a thousand ways to be happy.
Alright, safe travels, my friend — and above all, don’t forget your down jacket!