International students stream in

More international students than ever before joined the student body at NHH this week, with nearly 150 international students matriculating.

22.08.2005 - James Hosea

Right in the heart of Norway's premier business school, and with so much history and a magnificent setting, Stupet is the best place to introduce international students to NHH and Norway.

Deputy Rector Gunnar E. Christensen was on hand to give a warm welcome to two new groups of bright, eager international students this week.

More than ever before
The first group to receive their personal welcome to NHH were the new overseas students from the Master of Science programme International Business specialisation (MIB). One of the largest ever groups of MIB students were matriculated in Stupet on Tuesday.

On Friday it was the turn of the new exchange students to formally join NHH, when 118 students from 22 different countries were matriculated in a packed Stupet. The success of NHH in attracting exchange students speaks for itself, with a 50% increase in exchange students numbers over the last 5 years.

The new international students at NHH come from countries as far a field as China, the USA, Lebanon, Peru, New Zealand, Japan, plus many from Europe.

Simply the best
Christensen began by congratulating the MiB students on winning a place at the school against what was much tougher competition this year.

More and better applications mean that only the brightest applicants are offered a place. And Norway's unique funding arrangements make education here very attractive to foreign students.

"In Norway the best is free, but only the best get in", said Christensen.

With the exchange students he congratulated them on their choice of school for taking an exchange semester at.

In both speeches Christensen emphasised that NHH strives to be amongst the best schools in Europe, and quoted from the influential German business journal when he said that NHH was "one of the best schools in Europe".

The new Seattle
In his welcome speech Christensen referred to a recent article in The Times newspaper that names Bergen as the new Seattle. The so called "Bergen Wave" has now spread out beyond the shores of Norway, and this city of 30,000 students is becoming internationally known as a great place to live, study and work.

"Exploit all the academic, cultural and social benefits available to you while here", said Christensen. "Make sure to mix with the Norwegian students in classes, study groups social activities."

With regards to Norway, his advice was clear. "Explore not only the economics of this country, but also the deep fjords, the valleys and the mountains."

"You will experience all kinds of weather here, but remember that the rain is never far away. And that is good for studying!", quipped Christensen.