Need a good reason for studying abroad? We can think of a few.
Norway only has five million people. You can't expect one nation to be a world leader in all types of education, so going across the border to learn is sometimes necessary if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
In Norway's education sector, the stated goal is that 70% of all students attending higher education should pursue part of their degree outside the country.
This is not only a matter for first-timers either. Zooming out to the European Union, there is a strong focus on lifelong learning, and there's a sense that being secure in your career is in no way the end of the line for education.
But why go the extra mile instead of sticking close to home? Well.
If you're in Madrid learning about Spanish business culture, it's very different from sitting in Oslo and being told what business culture is like out there in Europe. The closer you are to the primary sources, the more you stand to learn.
An eye-opener
Some of the top universities like IE, Harvard and St. Gallen – all supported by Kistefos scholarships – are located in global centres of activity, both on a political, cultural and academic level.
If a research article is published at Harvard, it will be quoted all over the world, so there's a wide influence. At this level of university, you will meet professors who have been doing first-line work. These are people who aren’t talking about something they read in a book – they probably wrote the book.
Beyond the classrooms and auditoriums, there is also the surrounding world - the people, cultures and languages you come in contact with along the way. It’s about breaking away from your natural habitat and challenging yourself. This can also make you receptive to learning in a different way.
Well recognized names
Apart from the learning that happens both on- and off-campus, having the right university on your resume can also be a door opener. With well recognized names, you could say this type of education is an investment in your resume.
And the word "investment" is key here. One thing that can't be denied is that the top tier universities tend to be costly. As a contrast, a Norwegian education is for the most part free. Why take the plunge?
Think of it like an iPhone. You are paying for quality, but you're also paying for the apple on the back – the brand. Then again, that brand has been built on quality, so in that sense the two go hand in hand.
Luckily, through student financing these institutions won't only be attended for the most advantaged students.
With public student financing in Norway, people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds are able to study at these places, with scholarships like Kistefos also contributing to those opportunities.