Name of the University: University of Navarra
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
1. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before we left Norway there were some different documents we had to get signed,
and we also had to choose courses. We received our first information from UNAV in
early June, where they accepted us as exchange students. In this e – mail they also
wrote at what dates we would get further information. Because of this we did not
experience any difficulties, since we already knew when we would get additional
information.
We travelled to Pamplona by plane. We took a plane from Oslo (Gardermoen) to
Bilbao, and the ticket had a price at about 100 euros. When we arrived Bilbao we had
to take a bus from Bilbao to Pamplona, which took two hours. It was easy to find the
right bus, and the travel went fine. But be aware that most people in this area of Spain
do not speak any English.
UNAV has some living possibilities, but these have some strict rules so we do not
recommend choosing that living situation. We rented an apartment from a Spanish
family, which worked out very well.
The teachers at UNAV do not recommend buying any books. The books you need is
available at the library, or you do not use books in the specific course. So in other
words, we did not spend any money on books.
We rented an apartment with two other girls (so four people in total). The rent was
890 euros a month (222,50 euros per person). Since the apartment was close to both
university and city centre we could walk everywhere, so we did not spend a lot of
money on transport, unless when we were travelling.
We spend quite much money on food the first month, but after that we did not used so
much. We used approximately 2500 NOK on food in the beginning and then it went
down to 2000 in month. Since we lived with two other girls, we almost always ate
dinner together, so then it become a little more expensive. Maybe one day in the week
we went out for dinner, so that is really nice to, and of course that’s a little bit more
expensive.
Most people in Pamplona do not speak or now any English. They speak English at the
university, but other than that you must be prepared to meet people that only speak
Spanish.
People in Pamplona are very accommodating, and everyone is open for a
conversation. In Pamplona they are quite religious, which is something you will
notice.
2. ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
University of Navarra is located a bit outside the city, but not far at all. You can easily
walk to the school it will take approximately 10-15 minutes. a really modern and nice
school. The buildings are really nice, and are not so old that the Spanish standard
often is. The faculty of economics and communication is especially quite new and
modern. The other buildings are a little bit older, but not damaged or not possible to
study in or anything. It is a really big school area, with very many different buildings
and faculties. We thought that the system on the school is good, and you get to know
the most of the things you need to know in the beginning. Also if you have any
problems it is just to go to the International Office, and you will get the information
you need. They are really good with exchange students and you can notice that they
are really used to it, which is a good thing.
We had to register for the courses in April/May 2014. This is because if they do not
offer the courses, or if BI do not approve the courses you would like you will have
time to change courses. At UNAV there is also a two week open period in the
beginning of the semester where you are free to change courses.
We arrived Pamplona together at August 23 2014, and the first day of the semester
was August 28. The semester starts up with welcoming days, where you can meet the
other exchange students. Last day of classes wore at December 2 2014, two days
before our first exam. Examination period is from December 4 – December 23.
In the beginning of the semester we had welcoming days, where we were able to meet
the other exchange students. This was three well – prepared days, where we got a
guided tour around Pamplona, take a trip to San Sebastian and look around at campus.
The International Office has been very helpful here in Pamplona. At the beginning of
the semester we had a lot of questions, that they were nice to help us with. They
notice us with information when needed, and tried to help us with all papers that
needs to be signed etc. The only thing with the international office (and all other
offices in Spain) is that they take siesta in the mid – day, but this is something that
you will get used to.
3. ACADEMICS
The classes we had were all mostly theoretical classes, and we had assignments for
most courses. The lecturers on UNAV urges that you participate in class, which is
quite important in the classes. This is a part of the teaching – style they have chosen.
You also have to attend almost every class to get a good participation grade, which is
a bit different from what we are used to at BI.
The most commonly used course materials in class where PowerPoint and
blackboard. Books were only used in one of our courses, but in this course it was well
used.
The exams were based mostly on the lectures, and the course grades are based on
your final exam, participation in class, and the assignments you do. Some of the
courses also have a mid – term exam, which also are evaluated on your final grade.
This means that your final exam in the courses will almost in none courses count
more than 50 % of your final grade.
The work you have to do depends on which courses you choose. Some courses work
on a project for the entire semester, and have to present this project in the end of the
semester, and some parts of it mid – way. Other courses have small tests almost every
week to control that the students follow up on the subjects that are being lectured.
Most courses have some small assignments you have to do for almost every class, but
this is clearly doable.
It is to big libraries at the University of Navarra. It is really many students that sits
here and study bot in the exams period but also before, just to do homework. It is nice
and quite to sit there. With the technology it is not so much to know, except from the
printing and coping stuff. You get a UNAV email that you use the whole semester.
With that email you can go into the computer at school, and print everything you
want. They also have a printing room where you can go and the women there can
print it for you. It is also in the faculty of economics a big room with many computers
that you can borrow when its not class.
These are the courses we had during our semester at UNAV:
Course code & name
Strategic Management
Master/
Bachelor
Master
International Trade
Bachelor
Corporate Finance
Bachelor
Quality Management
Bachelor
Español 1
A1 Level
Exam form
Prerequisites
2-hour written
exam
1,5 hour written
exam
3,5 hour written
exam
None
Approved
as
Elective
None
Elective
1,5 hour written
exam
2 hour written
exam
Comments
Recommend to Elective
have had some
finance course
None
Elective
None – have to Elective
do a level test
at beginning of
semester
It has been great to experience a new culture and way to learn. We have been able to
try new study methods, and also improved both our written and oral English. There
are many exchange students from different countries and cultures here, which have
been great to meet.
We have developed us as persons during this experience, and feel like the experience
from these four months is something we can take with us further and use in future
career possibilities. We recommend taking an exchange semester here. North of Spain
has a lot to offer, and we have really loved the four months here.