Bergen has one of the largest student populations of any Norwegian city. The city is welcoming to all kinds of students, including exchange students, in all it has to offer.
Det akademiske kvarter or kvarteret, is the big and popular student house in Bergen. They provide good prices on food and drinks, free coffee, theaters, concerts, and public debates. It is open in the day as well as at night. It is a place where you can meet a lot of interesting people and also volunteer during your stay in Bergen. The word on the street is that you will find new friends for life.
Salem misjonsforsamling is a Christian society in Bergen. It can be nice to gather a group from school and go together.
Getting around and public transport
The city center is small, and you can reach many places by foot or on a bicycle. You can also easily travel around using the bus and the light rail, Bybanen. They are both run by the same company and tickets are valid on both facilities. Single tickets can be bought at small stores, dedicated ticket machines in the city center, or by using your smartphone. You can download the app Skyss billett to buy tickets directly on your cellphone. To find timetables, visit Skyss or download the app Skyss reiseplanlegger.
Monthly or weekly tickets for students are also available.You can use the Skyss billett app to apply for a transport card from skyss.no. The transport card needs to be loaded with money at the machines before each month. As an exchange student, you either need to bring your international student card (ISIC-card) or personal ID and a letter from VID for the ticket to be valid. The letter shows that you are a student with us. You will receive this on arrival in Bergen. Keep in mind that you need to bring all three items for a student ticket to be valid.
You should always have your ticket in order before you enter buses and light rail in Bergen. If you want to buy a ticket directly on the bus, you must pay cash, and the ticket will be more expensive. You cannot buy tickets directly on the tram. Should you need to use public transport late at night, the tickets cost more and need to be purchased separately.