Name of the University: Reykjavik University
Exchange semester: Fall/Winter 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
Before departure we picked out our courses and after they got approved we received information on how we could log in to the schools intranet. On the intranet you can find information about your courses and you can also access your e-mail to contact the international office. The international office was of great help to us and they are really trying to make the best out of your exchange semester. Reykjavik University (RU) has a “Buddy” program and we received information about our buddy before we left from Norway. Our buddies added us on Facebook and it’s a great way to get information about the school and living in Iceland. You’ll also be invited to the Facebook group for exchange students that semester, which allows you to ask questions and communicate.
Travel
Flights from Norwegian, SAS (Youth ticket) and Iceland Air have affordable departures everyday to Keflavik Airport. When you arrive at the airport you can easily find bus shuttles at the entrance, which either drops you off at BSI (the local bus station) or at your guesthouse/accommodation.
Housing
The University will send you a mail upon arrival with available housing. Most of the housing options are from the 1 st
of September, so alternative housing in hostels or various guesthouse are normal upon the move in date. The private renting market in Reykjavik is fairly expensive and most of the students live in guesthouses. E.g. Thor Guesthouse, Aurora Guesthouse or
The House of Spirits. I lived at Höfði guesthouse, here you can move in upon arrival and the prices are very affordable. The only downside is location, which is approximately 15 minutes walking from down town.
Costs
Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food, transportation, and other personal expenses?
Rent
Food
NOK 3800
NOK 1500
Transport NOK 100
Other NOK 2000
Culture and language
A lot of Icelandic is transparent for the native Norwegian speaker. But in order to learn proper
Icelandic a lot of time and effort is required. Different langue courses are offered, which costs will be covered to some degree by the Erasmus programme. Most, if not all, Icelanders are fluently in English, but the will to communicate in a foreign language over longer time varies.
Icelanders also learn Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or what they call “Nordic” or
“Scandinavian” in school, but very few of the young Icelanders know these languages fluently.

It’s always something happening in Reykjavik of concerts and art exhibitions. The Reykjavik
Grapevine, which is free and can be picked up in most stores, tourist information and bars, will provide you of an overlook in English on what is going that month. In the fall semester it’s absolutely recommended to catch the Culture Night, which is a happening spread over town where you’ll see concerts, plays and shows in the streets and Icelanders invite people into their house for waffles, and Iceland Airwaves, the biggest music festival spread in different venues around the city. In the spring semester it’s recommended to attend Sonar, a festival with various DJ’s.
Icelandic culture resembles Norwegian and Icelanders tend to be a little reserved, as
Norwegians can be, especially against foreign speakers. They do not make good queue companions and are not excellent when it comes to service. But when opening up the
Icelanders are a warm and welcoming people.
Cultural and social effects from the exchange experience
RU has a lot of international students, especially from Europe, and has provided me with an international network of young professionals and a set of very close and dear friends. You’ll also adapt a higher degree of cultural understanding and curiosity for Icelandic and more foreign cultures.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The University is 15/20 minutes outside of the city centre. But is easy accessible by either walking or bus. The University is brand new and very modern with a lot of space for independent studying. RU is still expanding.
Course registration
Course registration is done pre-arrival, you’ll find possible courses at RU’s website. You’ll need to match some of the mandatory courses from the BI and the rest is elective. You have to fill in a Learning Agreement both with BI and RU, which will be first fully completed when you arrive and the papers are signed. If some of the courses doesn’t work out it is not a problem to change courses, but Learning Agreement must be updated at home and receiving institution.
Academic calendar
Autumn semester mid-August to mid-December and Winter semester runs from mid-January to mid-May.
Arrival
I arrived one day in to the Orientation Days, which was not a problem. The week consisted of a small Icelandic course, getting your papers and schedule in order, various social activities with the international students and a visit to the Blue Lagoon. First after the Orientation Days the academic year starts.
The International Office
The International Office is present at the third floor and all of the staff and coordinators are very helpful and provides a lot of assistance.
Promoting BI and Norway

There is “International Day” where you have to provide a Norwegian dish and be present on a stand. Here the Norwegian embassy on Iceland is attending and here you get the chance answer questions from other RU students about BI and Norway.
Social activities
There are many social activities provided by ESN Reykjavik various parties, theme parties, quiz and field trips. If that does not interest you, it’s a lot of socializing living in a guesthouse and The Grapevine will provide you with events you’ll need. There are also a lot of ESN clubs you’ll be able to join. It’s also very usual to go on trips together, several times during your exchange, to explore beautiful Iceland.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
There tend to be fewer students in classes than at BI, ranging from 10 to 50 students per class.
Professors encourage interactive lectures and debates and your participation will in some of the courses become a part of your grade.
Course materials
Most of the course curriculum can be rented at the school library, so there is no need to buy books. The workload is heavier than that of BI.
Exams
Grades are usually based on several elements such as participation, presentation, hand-in assignments, but the final exam is the largest share of the grade. It is nice because it spreads the workload over the entire semester.
Library and technology
Description of courses
Course code & name Master/
Bachelor
Financial Derivatives Bachelor
Leadership
Exam form
Assignment, mid-term and final exam
Bachelor Presentations, participation , assignments
Approved as
Core
Elective
Social Psychology and final exam
Bachelor Group discussions, in-class exams and final exam
Core
International Business Bachelor Assignment and final exam Elective
Service Management Bachelor Assignments and final oral exam
Elective
Any other experiences/comments about your exchange experience?
It’s been a fantastic semester. I’m very satisfied with Reykjavik as a cultural capital and
Iceland as a nature adventure. I think that being on exchange really adds an extra dimension to your bachelor’s degree. If there is anyone out there thinking about whether to go or not, I can only say, go!