For Parents
Your son or daughter just told you he or she want to study in Norway. We would like to give you a brief introduction to Norway, Norwegian society, politics and culture to make sure you feel safe about sending your son or daughter abroad.
Norway – a modern, innovative and safe country
The United States and Norway share a long history of friendship and alliance. Norway has been recognized as “the best country in which to live” several times by the United Nations Human Development Report. Egalitarian values are highly respected by most Norwegians, and gender equality is well developed compared to many other countries. The Norwegian Welfare State was developed after the World War II, and several decades later there is still consensus amongst Norwegian politicians about this idea. Norway has a population of 4.6 million and one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Education in Norway
“Education for all” is the basic principle in Norway, and with few exceptions there are no tuition fees. Student mobility and international cooperation are key objectives for the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and, currently, more than 11,000 foreign students are studying and preparing for their future careers in Norway. Statistics show that the number is growing, but there is plenty of room for more. The universities and university colleges focus on making international students feel welcome during their stay in Norway. Most of the universities and university colleges organize special activities for the international students when they arrive.
Norwegian universities and university colleges offer high quality and research-based education. The country is one of the leading in the world when it comes to subject areas as petroleum engineering, fishery, aquaculture, energy and some areas of social sciences as peace, gender and democracy studies. Currently, we have 21 Centres and 14 Centres for Research-based Innovation
On the other hand, your son or daughter will have access to unique nature experiences in his or her spare time. Norwegians enjoy the space and a diverse nature, and visitors are often surprised by Norwegians' active way of life. Hiking is one of the favorite activities of most Norwegians.
Bilateral relations between USA and Norway
The historical ties between Norway and the United States are strong. The excellent relationship between the two nations is built upon many years of cultural, political and commercial exchange. We share the same basic values and traditions, and the Norwegian imprint on America as a nation is lasting, through the more than 5 million Americans of Norwegian ancestry.
US-Norway Cooperation in Education and Research
The Norwegian Government will soon announce a new national strategy for education cooperation with North America. There already is a strategy for bilateral scientific and technological cooperation (see link below). Last year, the U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Mr. Benson K. Whitney, and the Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S., Mr. Knut Vollebæk, launched an initiative to increase student mobility between the U.S. and Norway. As a part of this initiative they went for a 4 day tour of universities in the Midwest to promote the bilateral educational exchanges. Ambassador Whitney's presentation "Turning Nations Into People" describes the initiative in more detail.
Strategy for Norway's Scientific and Technological Cooperation with the US
More information about Norway
Royal Norwegian Embassy (in Washington)
The Norway-America Association
There are hundreds of organizations all over the US that contribute to maintaining the historical ties to Norway. To find them, please visit the searchable database created by the Norwegian-American Foundation by clicking here.
