Editor’s note: Geoff Sloan is a senior news reporter with The University Star. Geoff is on a study abroad trip in Norway. He will document his travels in a blog on The Star’s website.
OSLO, Norway – Looking down, I see the stamp on my hand has faded away just as the sun fades from the plane window. That stamp from my last night in the U.S. follows me to Oslo, Norway, as I depart on an intercontinental flight headed for my semester abroad.
I had a final night-out with friends from Texas State before departing for my fall semester where I will be studying overseas at the University of Oslo. Over the next five months, my life will be packed, full of unassuming cultural differences, opportunities for an aspiring university student, and experiences I can’t foresee– and I plan to share every step of my semester with Bobcats back home.
With not only classes but also a unique experience with my host-family, Norwegian student organizations and an internship, this study abroad experience is like any collegiate semester done the Norwegian way.
Cheaper healthcare and education, socialism and brutal winters come to mind when one thinks of Norway and Scandinavia. How many of these stereotypes hold true? For students in Oslo, how do they compare Texas– its guns, trucks and immigration controversy­– to Norway? How can Texas State students make a study abroad dream like this come true?
For the remainder of 2018, I’ll keep you updated here at The University Starwith my experiences as a Texas State student abroad, the comparisons between Texas State and the University of Oslo, and more information about studying abroad in general.
For updates, questions and suggestions on this blog series, link-up with me on Twitter, @GeoffroSloan or through my email, [email protected].