Norway for your internship: alright, we need to talk
Honestly, if you’re here reading this, you’ve already got the idea in your head. You’re thinking: “What if I did my internship in Norway?” And I won’t lie to you: it’s a great idea. But like in every good story, before you dive in, we need to talk a bit. So you don’t go in blind, but fully aware of what’s waiting for you. Because Norway isn’t just pretty fjords and northern lights. It’s much, much more.
Alright, get comfortable. I’m taking you on the journey. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into.
First, let’s be clear: yes, Norway is an amazing country.
No, seriously. If you love nature, you’re in for a treat. Mountains literally dropping into the sea, huge lakes with crystal-clear water, endless forests… and of course, those famous fjords you see all over Instagram. But in real life, they’re even more beautiful. The photos don’t even do them justice. When you see it with your own eyes, you’ll have a little “wow” moment.
Can you imagine waking up in the morning, pulling back the curtain, and seeing a fjord with clouds still floating above the water? It’s not a joke — that’s their daily reality.
And then there are the northern lights. You know, those green and purple waves dancing across the sky like something out of a dream. It’s the kind of thing that leaves you speechless the first time you see it. You step outside for some fresh air, and BAM, the sky lights up. You feel like you’re in a movie.
And honestly, it doesn’t just happen once during your stay. If you’re there for a few months, you’ll end up seeing them several times in the season. But trust me, it never gets old. Even the third time, you’ll still feel like a kid watching fireworks.
But Norway isn’t just beautiful. It’s also super safe, super clean, and super organized. You’ll quickly notice that everything works perfectly here. No stress, no honking, no mess. People are chill and respect everything: pedestrians, nature, schedules… even you.
Even in the city, you feel like you’re surrounded by nature. You can finish your workday and be walking in the middle of the forest 15 minutes later. Who can say that back home? Not many people.
But now, we need to talk about the budget.
But now, we need to talk about the budget.
Because yeah, let’s be honest, all this comes at a price. Norway is beautiful, but it’s expensive. Very expensive. It’s probably one of the most expensive countries in Europe, if not *the* most expensive.
Your housing? A room in a shared apartment in Oslo will easily cost you between 700 and 900 euros a month. And we’re talking about a simple room, not some luxury spot with a fjord view. Groceries? Same story. Even if you’re careful, you’ll be spending around 80 to 100 euros a week. And that’s without splurging. Want a burger once in a while? Get your 20-euro bill ready. A beer? Expect to pay 10 euros, easy. Yep, it stings.
Even if you go full “I cook at home” mode, prices are still high. Salmon? Super tasty, super fresh, but not cheap. Vegetables? Same thing. You’ll need to learn how to spot the deals and sometimes accept eating the same thing a couple of times a week to balance your budget.
At least public transport is super clean and always on time. You’ll take the tram, bus, or train without any issues, but it’ll still cost you between 80 and 90 euros a month for a pass.
And then there are the little extras. Like weekend outings, excursions, museums (and there are some amazing ones), summer music festivals (which are incredible)… Basically, all of that adds up too.
So overall, if you want to be comfortable and enjoy your stay without stressing over every expense, you should plan for a budget of at least 1200 euros per month. Less is doable, but you might end up spending your evenings counting pennies instead of exploring the country. And let’s be honest: it would be a shame to travel all the way across Europe just to stay home because you’re afraid to spend 20 euros on a night out.
Now that we’ve emptied the wallet, let’s talk about the really cool stuff.
Because honestly, despite the budget, Norway is still one of those countries where your internship can quickly turn into an amazing experience.
First, the people. At first, you might find Norwegians a bit cold. No big hugs, no constant “how are yous.” But once they get to know you, they’re lovely. Very respectful, very chill, always up for a walk, a barbecue by the water, or a spontaneous hike. They spend a lot of time outdoors — rain, snow, or sunshine. You’ll quickly get a taste for this nature-connected way of life.
They’re also very sporty. On weekends, you’ll see them everywhere: kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing. Even little kids start skiing as soon as they can walk. It’s part of their culture. And it’s super inspiring, you’ll see.
And then the way they work… It’s nothing like back home. Here, everything is super flat: no boss yelling, no heavy hierarchy. You work, they trust you, period. Working hours are respected, and no one will judge you for leaving on time. In short, a super healthy work environment.
Some fun facts about Norway (that you’ll love to tell)
Alright, here are a few little gems to get you in the mood before you go:
First, know that Norway is so rich they almost don’t know what to do with their money — well, sort of. Thanks to their oil and insanely good resource management, they have one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. The country is loaded, but without showing off. Nobody’s driving Ferraris here — they prefer a good old electric bike.
Next, get ready to enjoy crossing the street. In Norway, as soon as you step onto a crosswalk, cars stop instantly. No need to give drivers the death stare like back home. Here, it’s automatic. They’ll even stop if you haven’t fully decided to cross yet.
Another funny thing: parents have six months after birth to choose their baby’s name. Imagine that — for six months, the baby has no official name. And if they still haven’t picked one by then, the state chooses for them. Convenient, right?
Let’s talk coffee now. Norwegians drink it like crazy. They’re the second biggest coffee consumers in the world. It all comes from an old trade deal with Brazil, where they exchanged cod for coffee. The result: nowadays, everyone runs on caffeine from morning till night.
Oh, and a little polite habit you’ll quickly pick up: after a meal, you thank the cook with a simple “Takk for maten” (thanks for the meal). It’s simple, but it’s basic manners over there.
Work-wise, there are really some great things to do.
Professionally, Norway is great for lots of sectors. If you’re into renewable energy, ecology, or marine sciences, it’s pretty much paradise. They’re way ahead in those areas.
Tourism is booming too, especially in the summer. If you’re good with languages and customer service, there are great opportunities in travel agencies, fjord cruises, and hotels. And in education, there are quite a few international schools and bilingual daycare centers looking for foreign interns.
Just a heads-up: don’t expect big salaries. Paid internships are pretty rare. But thanks to the Erasmus+ program, you can get scholarships that’ll really help balance your budget. And of course, we’re here to help you with that.
Before you go: the CV — your secret weapon
Final stretch before the big departure: your CV. No sloppy work here. It needs to be in English, well-structured, polished, and tailored to what Norwegian recruiters expect.
That’s why we work on your CV with you right from the start. Even if you think it looks good, we’ll always find things to improve, experiences to highlight, skills you might have forgotten about. Between your summer job, volunteer work, side projects, languages… there’s usually a lot more to say than you think.
Once you’re there, that’s when the real fun begins.
You’ll quickly settle in. You’ll discover a new way of working, meet friendly colleagues, improve your English (and maybe even pick up a few words of Norwegian, just for fun).
Of course, there will be some tougher moments. A bit of homesickness, cultural differences, days when you just want a proper plate of pasta like back home. But that’s part of the journey. And don’t worry, we’ll be there to support you throughout your internship. You’ll never have to handle it all alone.
And I guarantee that once you’re back, you’ll be talking about it for years.