What to pack for your exchange at INN

For clothes in general, you must be prepared for warm and cold weather, which can occur during the fall and spring semesters. 

• A pair of shoes with good support and a great grip (preferably waterproof) for hiking. Sneakers, sandals, and other shoes based on your needs. Specific boots for different functions:
  • During the early part of the season, good, solid hiking boots are going to be your best friend (but they need to be waterproofed – Gore-Tex or solid leather) outdoors, and later in the year, when it starts snowing, they will probably be the best thing to help you get around campus and the streets.
  • Rubber boots can also be a useful addition early in the season in case of prolonged rain – when things get muddy and wet – but they will be too cold when the snow arrives and are not that comfortable on longer hikes.
  • Slippers. In Norway, people take their shoes off when indoors. Also essential if taking weekends away to visit cabins, etc. At Campus Evenstad, many buildings are shoe-free zones, so it is a good idea to have a pair of easy-to-pack indoor slippers with you.
• A windproof (and preferably waterproof) jacket and trousers.
• A warm, thick coat is essential in the winter.
• For outdoor sports and activities, it is recommended that you bring thermal or woollen underwear (top and pants) and general workout clothes. This underwear does wonders under your everyday clothes.

Dress like a Norwegian during winter

Having warm clothes during this season is essential. The best tip is not to dress in several layers of cotton or synthetic fibres. Instead, wear a layer of woollen and/or thermal clothing underneath your regular clothes.

We recommend bringing the following for your stay in Norway:

• Woollen and/or thermal underwear for your upper and lower body.
• A wind- and waterproof outer layer;
  • Ski pants or something else to wear on your lower half when staying outside for an extended period.
  • A warm winter coat, preferably down to your thighs. Down coats are useful to stay warm, but they are often not waterproof. Down feathers lose all their insulating properties when wet.
• Woollen socks, a warm hat covering your ears, gloves, and a thick scarf.
• Winter shoes with a rubber sole and an inner layer of fur or another fabric. If possible, exchange the inner sole with a woollen/thermal sole. The soles of Dr Martens' shoes are very slippery in winter conditions in Norway, and thus it is not recommended to bring them.
• Crampons/spikes to put on the sole of your shoes.

It is possible to purchase winter clothes and accessories after arrival, but store offerings vary by city and town. In addition, most clothes and equipment in Norway are generally more expensive than in most countries.

• Skiing/snowboard equipment for the winter season (late November/December-March/April) or other equipment relevant to your level of activities/what type of activities you may want to do.
  • If you do not have this equipment or do not wish to bring it, you can rent it for a fee at an Alpine Resort or purchase it in the city centre.
• A PC or Mac. Tablets or PC-like variants cannot be used for digital examinations. You will then have to borrow from a friend. INN does not rent out PCs or Macs.
• If you rent through SINN, then the following are not in your dorm upon arrival:
  • Hand soap, toilet paper, hand soap, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner.
  • Towels and a hairdryer.
  • Kitchen equipment. Some stuff may be left in the kitchen's common areas, but it is not guaranteed. At some campuses, you might be able to buy a kitchen set.
  • SINN Housing on some campuses offers students the possibility to buy a "Bedding set". Detailed information will be provided to accepted students.
  • Further information on accommodation at INN is provided on our webpage.
• If you play an instrument, you may wish to bring it with you and join a music club at your campus. Contact the International Office to see if this is offered at your campus of study.
• A camera, of course! Norway is a photographer’s dream. If you are unsure whether to bring your camera, we recommend packing it in your bags. Sending it from your home country will be costly, as you will need to pay for shipping and customs duties.
• Power adapters. You can use an adapter type "C" or "F" throughout Norway. Norway uses the standard two-prong Euro plug (often labelled as a Northern Europe adapter).

• Documentation of your health insurance (and other insurance if necessary) in English. E.g., the European Health Insurance Card (EU/EEA citizens). Read about insurance on our webpage.
• Passport / ID card (EU/EEA citizens) that shows your gender.
• The Admission Letter from INN.
• Exchange students must use their ID from their home institution until they get the student ID at INN.
• If you need any medication, bring valid documentation (in English) for your travel and prescriptions. You can read in detail about bringing medications into Norway on our webpage. 

Cash or card?

Norway is morsly cashless society. We do not recommend bringing large amounts of cash, as many stores in Norway may not accept this. On campuses, the payment methods are usually card or VIPPS (Norwegian PayPal). Some campuses do not accept cash. You will manage well with just a debit/credit card.

The only place one can exchange cash is at the airport or in Oslo. Therefore, remember to exchange currency before or at the airport upon arrival.

Debit and credit cards

All international students should bring a credit/debit card, such as a Visa and/or MasterCard. Maestro and American Express can be used, but some stores (e.g., the grocery shop in Evenstad) do not accept these cards. 

Try to obtain a card from your bank with no fees per use or for paying in a different currency. Remember to check the fees if you wish to withdraw cash at ATMs. Check with your bank that your card(s) are not blocked for use in Scandinavia.

Using your debit or credit card in apps or for online purchases

Be aware that your debit and/or credit card must have a CVV, CVC, or CID number (3–4-digit code) to be used in all types of apps in Norway. If you are unsure whether your card has this code, check with your bank.

• Visa uses CVV (Card Verification Value).
• Mastercard uses CVC (Card Verification Code).
• American Express uses CID (Card Identification).
• Maestro does not have this code, and thus cannot be used in apps or online payments in Norway.

Norwegian bank account

International students staying for one semester will not be able to open a Norwegian bank account. Students staying longer than one semester are recommended to open a Norwegian bank account. However, it can take 2-4 months after arrival to open an account.

Revolut or similar banking systems (mainly relevant for exchange students)

Many exchange students use Revolut or similar banking systems for international transfers, such as when paying for SINN accommodation. It is also commonly used for debit cards with low fees. 

When using such systems for monthly international transfers, ensure you check the limit on the amount that can be transferred at once. In some cases, the systems might block your transfer.

It is possible to send parcels containing clothes or similar items to your accommodation, or to have your family or friends bring extra clothes when they visit. However, sending parcels to INN before arrival is impossible.

You must address the parcel(s) to your accommodation address and be present on your campus city or town to pick them up. The parcel must be labelled in accordance with Norwegian customs requirements. 

More information about receiving and sending parcels and letters can be found on our webpage.