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Mount Floyen, Bergen, Norway

Lake at night, Norway

Old wooden houses and narrow streets

Aurora Borealis

Afra Rahmanfard’s decision to go on exchange to the University of Bergen in Norway was made after his friend recommended the program. Afra had travelled before and was well acquainted with Europe. Still, Norway was one country he had yet to visit. Little did he know that by the end of his exchange, the Scandinavian country famous for its Viking roots would have completely changed his outlook on life and made him question the way he was living his.

Afra’s time in other parts of Europe made him confident that he'd easily adjust to life in the coastal city of Bergen. While his confidence wasn’t entirely unfounded, he didn’t anticipate the cost of living. 

“One time I went to the grocery store, and — because the prices fluctuated a little bit — individual oranges were going for $5 each.”

However, what Bergen lacks in sunny skies and cheap meals it makes up for in its quality of life. 

Afra marvels at how Norwegians live, “You have access to extremely robust infrastructure, there's public transport that's some of the best in the world. There's just so many things that the government does to help its people, and even not being Norwegian, I could sense that.”

The efficiency and accessibility of public transport is unparalleled. In terms of safety and community, Afra describes Norwegians as inherently trusting of each other. Where in many parts of the world, we’re taught to be wary of strangers, Norwegians embrace the humanity that ultimately lives within everyone, and they don’t suffer for it. In fact, they benefit from the ingrained sense of altruism in society. 

Despite the loyalty to their community, Norwegians tend to be introverted, which for Afra, wasn’t much of a problem. He fit right in. However, it seems like their reserved nature must be set aside in the classroom. Even though Afra took only math courses, most of his exams were oral, perhaps because of the conceptual approach to teaching, something that most universities forsake in favour of a more literal one.

Afra’s love for the country amplified as he travelled across Norway. One of his most memorable trips was to a town called Alta, located north of the Arctic circle. There, he met the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, the Sámi.

“It was really interesting speaking with them and seeing this small city of 10,000 people, that's so up north. I enjoyed talking to the people the most because they're kind of different from the rest of Norway, from anyone you'd meet in Canada. They live so far up north and most of them haven't ever left there. So their perspective on the world was very eye opening.” 

His time in Norway opened his eyes to not just new cultures, but a new way of life. Previously cynical, Afra claims the safety and tranquility that Norwegians were accustomed to made him more optimistic about his own lifestyle. Despite being an experienced traveller, his exchange in Bergen impacted him for the better, so much that he decided to sign up for a repeat of the experience. In the heart of winter next year, Afra will be basking (for lack of sunny skies) in the warmth and trust of the Norwegian people.