MF Norwegian School of Theology

Transcription

1 MF Norwegian School of Theology Before Arrival Guide

2 Welcome to MF! MF Norwegian School of Theology (1908) is a specialised university, offering the combination of academic quality and professional relevance for those of you preparing to serve in churches, schools and NGO s. MF has 1200 students, including 60 PhD students. We are a part of the European university tradition, simultaneously a place for knowledge and practice, for transmitting of cultural values and scientific methods and for training of professionals. We offer several programs and courses in English. At MF you will experience education in a context of freedom, credibility and ecumenical cooperation, aiming at personal growth and formation as well as international scholarship. MF is large enough for you to feel the pulse of academic life and small enough for you to get to know other students, receive help from the administration and get in contact with the lecturers. As an international student, you are important to us! We need the international input and experience that you can offer. Oslo, the capital of Norway, is a friendly city, surrounded by magnificent scenery from the fjord to the hills. MF is centrally situated, near the campus of the University. I believe you will have a good time in Oslo and at MF, and we will certainly do our best to make you feel at home. We welcome you as an international student at MF Norwegian School of Theology. Prof. Vidar L. Haanes Rector / President 2

3 Table of Contents MF Norwegian School of Theology...4 About Oslo...5 To do Before Arrival...6 The first weeks...7 Procedures to complete during the first weeks...8 Housing...9 Student Chapel...10 Student Sports Facilities...11 Facts about Norway...12 The Student Advisors

4 MF Norwegian School of Theology Norwegian School of Theology (MF) is one of the largest theological schools in Scandinavia. MF is dedicated to excellence in theological education, and has three departments: Department of Theology, Department of Religious Education and Pedagogical studies, and Department of Religion and Society. MF Norwegian School of Theology was established in 1908 as an independent (non-governmental) specialised university for Theology in order to educate ministers for the Church of Norway (Lutheran). From the beginning the institution has had a double commitment: academic excellence and Christian identity. Growing recognition of theological scholarship has been accompanied by growth in the student body, and MF has for many years been by far the largest theological institution in Norway with approximately 1200 students and a faculty of 40 professors and 10 associate professors. MF Norwegian School of Theology has trained about 70 % of the clergy of the Church of Norway (Lutheran), as well as teachers, catechists, missionaries and other workers in church and society. 4

5 About Oslo Oslo has been the capital since 1814, when Norway gained its independence from Denmark. The city is one of Europe s fastest-growing capitals, with annual population increases exceeding 2 per cent in recent years. Oslo has become much more international in the last years. Trendy cafés, restaurants with cuisines from around the world to satisfy every taste, bars and pubs, and modern cinema facilities are among the many things that the Norwegian capital offers. The new Opera House has already won several awards for its bold iceberg shape architecture, and is a hugely attractive place to visit, even just for a stroll. The area around the Opera House is in full bloom and will eventually become the harbor seaside Oslo deserves. In your leisure time, you may check out a flea market or two, or visit one of the many galleries or museums around the city. Most have free entrance. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is also a great way to take time out from your studies. The closeness to nature is one of many things that make Oslo unique. From the cafés in central Oslo it is only a 15 minute ride by metro before you are in the beautiful forest area that surrounds Oslo. A good transportation system takes you to most places where you want to go, and the student card will give you a discount on fares. MF is located in central Oslo, a couple of minutes walk from Majorstuen Metro Station. Oslo s climate is milder than its latitude might indicate. Summer temperatures often equal those of cities much further south, yet the winters are cold enough to make Oslo a great skiing destination. 5

6 To do Before Arrival Request housing if needed at Remember to return the housing contract fully signed and to pay the deposit. (Remember to notify the international office at if you will apply for housing) Apply for a Residence permit and Visa if needed. Contact the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate for further questions regarding this. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration may also assist you with questions in this regard. More information at Pages 8-9! 6

7 The First Days Program - orientation week, August 2014 Thursday August 7th - Arrival at MF and practical welcome packages - Pick up Keys at SIO Friday August 8th - Guided trip around Oslo (places good to know about) Monday August 11th - Information for Erasmus students - Information for Self- funding students Tuesday August 12th 10:00. Introduction for international students at - Master in Religion, Society and Global Issues - Master in Theology Buddygroups Thursday August 14th Teaching starts. See your time schedule Buddy-group activities Friday August 15th Teaching. See your time schedule Buddy-group activities Monday August 18th. Opening of the Semester Semester opening service in Majorstuen Church Coffee and Cakes at MF Academic semester opening Teaching. See time-schedule Buddy-group activities during week 34 7

8 Procedures to complete during the first weeks Semester Registration Registration for courses and examinations takes place at the very beginning of each semester. Exchange students can register online before the start of the semester. Registration is done online at StudentWeb: (please use the registration number written in a separate letter). More info about this in the orientation Meetings. All degree students must register and pay the semester fee (if applicable: Not exchange students) by 1 February. You will receive more information after arrival. If you do not have a Norwegian address by the time you register online, you MUST put this address in the address field in order to have your semester card printed: Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet Gydas vei 4 Postboks 5144 Majorstuen 0302 OSLO Semester Fee and Semester Card All students, except for Erasmus/Nordplus and most bilateral exchange students, must pay a semester and copy fee of NOK 1950,-.Once the fee is paid you can pick up your semester card student administration (2nd floor). You MUST register your Norwegian address in the StudentWeb once this has been confirmed by your landlord. Registration with the Police for EU/EEA-citizens You must register with the Police if staying in Norway for more than 3 months. Please register online: Health insurance for EU/EEA citizens Students from EU/EEA countries must have health insurance coverage from their home country. The European Health Insurance card documents that you are entitled to necessary medical treatment during your stay in Norway. If you have private health insurance, please check with your insurance office as to whether your coverage applies to Norway, and for your entire stay. Registration with the Police for Non-EU/EEA citizens All Non-EU/EEA students must report to the Police within 7 days after arrival. If you are staying for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit. This you should apply for from your home country as soon as possible, following the instructions in the Admission Letter. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will not process the application before it is complete. Health Insurance for Non-EU/ EEA-citizens You automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme ( Folketrygden ) if you have a residence permit for 12 months or more. For students staying for 6-12 months, membership in the National Insurance Scheme is voluntarily, but highly recommended. Students staying 3-6 months must apply for a D-number and membership in the National Insurance Scheme at your local NAV Office (Welfare Office). Students staying LESS than 3 months must have private health insurance. The National Insurance Scheme entitles you to social security coverage with regard to health services. The National Insurance Scheme does not come into effect before you have registered at the university, and is not valid after you have completed your studies. Further, it does not cover any expenses during any travel abroad in the course of the semester. These periods must be covered by a private insurance policy. Furthermore, the National Insurance Scheme does not include dental care or comprise illness contracted before arrival in Norway. More info about this in the orientation meetings 8

9 Housing The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo and Akershus (SiO) has around 7700 rooms and offers a wide variety of reasonably priced accommodation. In a very competitive private housing market, it is great privilege to offer guaranteed housing in single rooms for all our international students. Do not forget to apply for housing before the announced deadline. Every semester MF has to reserve a certain number of rooms according to the number or students. Therefore it is of great importance that you notify the international office if you are going to apply for housing. Please read carefully the information regarding housing on our web pages: cfm?id= All units have internet connection which is included in the rent. Connection to internet will not be activated before the online semester registration is complete. Curtains, pillows, sheets, blankets, reading lamps and kitchen utensils are not provided. For further information and to apply for accommodation, please go the SiOStudent Housing web pages at Getting to student residences: The SiO Student Reception at Kringsjå is the reception for Bjerke Student House and the Student Villages Fjellbirkeland and Kringsjå.Take the metro (t-bane) #3 west-bound to Kringsjå Station. Cross the main road and walk down the stairs to the Kiwi grocery store. Take a right at the store. The Reception is in the first building on your left. The SiO Centre at Blindern is the reception for Sogn Student Village and several more. Take the metro (t-bane) #3, #4 or #5 westbound to Blindern station and walk up the hill towards the university campus. The Reception is located on the ground floor inside the Akademika bookshop in Kristian Ottosens Hus. Opening Hours SiO Centre at Blindern Campus, SiO Reception at Kringsjå student village and SiO Centre at St Olavs gate 32 (downtown Oslo): Monday - Friday All the receptions are closed during the weekends. Arrival outside opening hours is not recommended. Your keys Please check to locate which SiO service center youwill have to collect your keys at. Arrival outside opening hours is not recommended. In case you arrive after opening hours, you will need to find alternative accommodation. You may contact the SiO by [email protected] preferably, or by telephone (+47) , and see if you can arrange for your keys to be delivered by one of their caretakers. 9

10 Student Chapel: At the ground floor there is a chapel. Every day at there is a short service in the chapel. There is also a chapel on the 2nd floor which is always open. MF has two student chaplains, Tore and Elisabeth, whom are available for counseling. Work load The work load for full time studies is 30 credit points per semester. The Norwegian education system emphasizes to a large degree independent study and individual planning. You are responsible for your own progress and the teaching staff trusts that you follow the course plan yourself. However some lectures may be mandatory to attend. More information about this will be given to you at the opening day. 10

11 Student Sports Facilities SiO Student Sports has four sports centers on and around campus, as well as in the city center. They offer a wide range of activities such as swimming, tennis and different group training classes. In addition Student Sports offers personal training, physiotherapy and health profile. Access to the sports centers are available for student prices and more information can be found on sio.no/sports If you choose to participate in the Oslo Students Sport c Club (OSI) as well, you may take part in a wide range of activities such as wind surfing, mountain hiking, dance, climbing, and even soccer in one of the lower leagues. Membership is being paid per semester and the costs vary between the different groups. More information can be found on In the basement of MF there is an exercise room as well as a gym and a room for table tennis. 11

12 Facts about Norway Geography Norway is long and narrow. The rugged coastline, broken by huge majestic fjords and thousands of islands, stretches 2,500 kilometres. Including fjords and islands, Norway has a total coastline of 83,000 kilometers. Government and Politics According to the Constitution of Norway, which was adopted on May 17th 1814 and inspired by the United States Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the French revolution of 1798, Norway is a unitary constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, wherein the King of Norway is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Power is separated between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, as defined by the Constitution, which serves as the country s supreme legal document (source Wikipedia). Climate Norway is sometimes referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun. This is true for the areas north of the Arctic Circle in May-June. However, the rest of Norway will have up to 20 hours daylight per day in the summer season. In contrast, daylight hours are very short in the winter, and in the far north of Norway, the sun is actually not visible for some months. Temperatures range from C to minus C with all four seasons (summer, autumn, winter, spring) taking turns during a year. Check the weather here: or Language The main language is Norwegian, which belongs to the North Germanic branch of the Germanic language group. Most Norwegians have a very good understanding of English, and you will also find many speaking a bit of Spanish, French or German, as well. 12

13 The Student Advisors The staff at the International Office provides services for international students and offer student support services all through your stay at MF. Staff: Mona Gullbrandsen Bø Student Advisor, Religion and Education Erlend Woldseth Student Advisor, Theology Berit Widerøe Hillestad Student Advisor, Religion and Social Science Bjørn Lyngroth International Advisor/ head of International Office Ingrid Synnevaag International Student Assistant Matheus Elias Da Silva International Consultant 13

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15 How to get to MF How to travel from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) to MF, Oslo: To get from Oslo Airport to MF you first need to travel by bus or train to Oslo centrum, then travel by Subway or tram to Marjorstuen. You can travel from Oslo Airport to Oslo and MF in two different ways: 1 Train from Oslo Airport to Oslo Central Train Station (NSB or Airport Express Train). 2 Bus to Oslo Central Bus Station (Nor-Way Bus Express or SAS Airport Express Coach). You can travel from Oslo Central Station/Central Bus Station to MF in two ways. 1 Tram nr 12 from Jernbanetorget Tram Station to Majorstuen. 2 Subway (all lines) from Jernbanetorget Subway Station to Majorstuen. From Majorstuen to MF it is about 5 minutes walk. (Watch the map below). 15

16 Norwegian Law Take note that possesion of cannabis, hashis, khat etc as well as narcotics is illegal in Norway. Driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances is also illegal. Norwegian law prohibits smoking inside all public buildings (underground-stations, buses, cafès, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and so forth). Cost of Living You will need approximately 9,440 NOK per month to provide for basic expenses depending on your lifestyle. How much is..? Litre of milk... ca 15 NOK Monthly travel card... ca 380 NOK A cup of coffee in a cafè... ca 25 NOK Dinner at a budget restaurant, (main meal only)... ca 130 NOK Dinner at campus... ca 50 NOK Movie ticket... ca 90 NOK Juice (1 litre)... ca 20 NOK Bread... ca 25 NOK Frozen pizza...ca 45 NOK Public Holidays Easter (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) 1 May (Labour Day) 17 May (Constitution Day) Ascension Day Whit Sunday and Whit Monday Christmas (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year s Day) Address: MF: Norwegian School of Theology Gydas vei 4 Postboks 5144 Majorstuen 0302 OSLO Phone: ( ) [email protected] We are looking forward to meeting you! Welcome! 16