Student Report
Name of the University: University of Navarra
Exchange semester: Spring, 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
Before I left Norway I received different documents that I had to get signed before the arrival,
as well as information about the possibilities to apply for the Spanish language course. I also
received information from the International Committee at UNAV about the welcoming days
and a mentoring program that they offered to help the exchange students when they first
arrive. The university could also help to find housing if needed. The process before leaving
Norway was easy, and I didn't experience any difficulties.
Applying for a visa
Not necessary to apply for visa cause we are European citizens.
Travel
Getting to Pamplona can be quite difficult, since the local airport has almost only domestic
flights. I found the easiest way to fly to Bilbao and then take a bus for 2 hours to Pamplona.
Housing
The housing costs in Pamplona is lower than Oslo. I paid 300 € (pr. person), each month for
the a 5 bedroom apartment. However, the standard of the apartments is generally lower than
in Norway. I chose to rent privately with other international exchange students, and I don’t
regret that decision. The most common areas for the students are near by Pio XII and
Iturrama.
The University was very helpful with information regarding the housing and also offer
housing at the campus, but that is not so common among the exchange students.
Costs
The rent was approximately 300 € every month per person. That was included electricity, hot
water and internet.
We didn’t have any textbooks, all the information was online and the professors gave out
papers or other readings.
The public transportation in Pamplona is surprisingly good. Pamplona is a small city so I
usually walked, but it’s a lot of busses so it’s easy to move around.
The food is really cheap compared to Norway, either if you go out for dinner or choose to
cook at home. The University has a lot of cafeterias and restaurants, and the food there is
good and cheap as well. You can get a good meal for around 6 €.
Rent
NOK 2700
Books
NOK 50
Food
NOK 1500
Transport
NOK 50
Other
NOK 1000
Culture and language
The local people in Pamplona don’t speak a lot of English. At the University the students and
professors spoke really good English, so I didn't experience problems with the language with
the faculty or with other students. But it's definitely an advantage to be able to speak Spanish
so you can communicate with the local people.
The university arranged different trips to places in Spain for the international students. We
went to San Sebastian, the Pyrenees and also to a wine farm for wine tasting. These trips
were for the exchange students and really worth it.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The University of Navarra (UNAV) is one of the best private schools in Spain, and is located
outside the centrum of the city. To walk to the university from city will take approximately 15
minutes. The campus area is big, with many different faculties and buildings and a new
museum, as well as a sport center. Almost every sport can be practiced there, for example
football, fencing, squash and tennis.
The buildings at University of Navarra are really nice and the facility of business and
economics is called the Amigos and is one of the most modern buildings at the campus. The
school system is good, and you will get to know quickly the things that are necessary. If you
have any problems it is just to contact the International Office, and you will get all the
information you need. They are really helpful with exchange students.
Course registration
I was able to register for courses before the arrival, without much problem. The add and drop
period was 2 weeks, so it was possible to change courses until 2 weeks after the semester
started.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
06.01.2015
First day of the semester:
07.01.2015
Last day of classes:
30.04.2015
Examination period:
25.04-16.05.2015
Any special events/holidays:
1. May,
1. April - 14 April
(Spring holiday)
Other:
Arrival
In the beginning of the semester we had welcoming days. The welcoming days started the 7th
of January to the 11th of January. The exchange students got a guided tour around in
Pamplona, had a nice lunch at the school and a look around at the campus, as well as a daytrip to San Sebastian.
The International Office
The International Office at University of Navarra was very helpful and we got all the relevant
information we needed. If we had any question, they could answer most of them and the
International Office was located in the Amigos building and not difficult to find.
Promoting BI and Norway
I didn’t have any chance to promote BI or Norway, but by communicate with the other
exchange students I got the chance to tell them about my life in Norway and at my home
school BI.
Social activities
The relationship between the students was very good, especially among the exchange students,
and the International Committee arranged different events (dinners, trips and other local
culture activities) that made it easier for the students to get to know each other. There were
also different societies and sport clubs the students could join.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
The teaching style at University of Navarra was different from the teaching style at BI. The
classes are small (15-20 people in class) and is a mix of practical and theoretical. The teachers
wants the students to participate in class, and it’s important in the classes. The students have to
attend to the classes to get a good participation grade and a part of the final grade is based on
the participation in the classes (10 % of the final grade). I had lectures Monday to
Thursday, approximately 3-4 hours every day.
The workload was approximately the same as at BI, but the reading took longer because it
was on English, specially the financial courses.
Course materials
The most used course materials in class where PowerPoint and blackboard, as well as papers
and online articles. The literature and books were not so important and only used in one of my
classes (Spanish).
Exams
The exams were based on the PowerPoint from the lectures, and the papers as well. The final
grade are based on the final exam (40 %) the midterm exam (25%), the participation in class
(10 %) and the assignments/projects you do. In every class I had at least one presentation
(project), and the final grades are based on them as well (25-30%). The students work on the
project for the entire semester and in the end of the semester, you have to present this project.
Most courses have small assignments during the semester, so the teachers can control that the
students follow up on the courses.
Library and technology
It is two libraries at the University of Navarra. The library is quite, and a nice place to do the
homework. When you first start at the school, you get a UNAV mail and a student card. You
have to use the student card to get access to the library and the other buildings as well. With
the student card you can also print and coping everything you want. In the Amigos building
(the economic faculty), it’s a printing room where you can get help to get what you want. In
the faculty of economics it is also a room with many computers that you can borrow a
computer for studying.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Exam form
Operation
Management
Bachelor
Spanish II
Prerequisites
Approved
as
Comments
2-hours written None
+ one
assignment
Elective
The same
as
«Logistikk
» in
Norway
Bachelor
2-hours written
+ one midterm
exam
None, but you
have to do a
level test at
beginning of
semester
Elective
International Finance
Bachelor
2-hours written
+ one
assignment +
one midterm
exam
Recommend to Elective
have had some
finance course
Money, banking and
financial markets
Bachelor
2-hours written
+ one
assignment
Recommend to Elective
have had some
finance course
Principles of Business
Administration
Bachelor
2-hours written
+ one
assignment +
one midterm
exam
None
Elective
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
Going on exchange to University of Navarra and Spain has been a fantastic experience and it
has been great to experience a new culture and new people from the whole world. There are
many exchange students from different countries and cultures, which have been great to meet
and I feel that I have developed as a person during my exchange.
I think its also a very good way to develop as a academic persons as well, and you improve
both the written and oral English. I really recommend taking an exchange semester at the
University of Navarra. The north of Spain has a lot to offer and also the culture, and I enjoyed
my exchange the the fullest.