Student Report
Name of the University: Reykjavik University
Exchange semester: Fall 2012
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
Before we left from Norway 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.
Travel
After we arrived at the airport we took the airport bus that brought us to the main bus station
(BSI) in Reykjavik. From here you can either take a bus or a taxi to your next destination.
Housing
Since RU does not have any student accommodation they could not offer us any apartments,
but they did offer their support in helping us getting accommodation. RU has agreements with
several guesthouses in Reykjavik that accommodate students in the exchange period. The
guesthouses are filled with exchange students and it is great to live with some other students.
The international office is very helpful for the students that have difficulties finding an
apartment. They will assist you on those matters and everyone got apartments.
Costs
The prices will of course vary and a lot of the students have the books as PDFs, so it is
possible to not buy books.
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
3000
3000-5000
2000
300
Culture and language
The Icelandic people speak English very well and we did not experience any difficulties
speaking English and being understood. The Icelandic culture is very similar to Norwegian
and it went smoothly for us all when we were adapting to the new culture.
Cultural and social effects from the exchange experience
The exchange period has made us all grow as persons, and we only feel that we have gained a
lot from this experience.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
The school is located on the coast of Reykjavik and is easy accessible by bus or by walking.
Most of the Icelandic students have cars so the bus system in Reykjavik is not the best but it is
no problem getting to school and classes.
Course registration
We registered for our courses before we left from Norway and we did not experience any
troubles when we wanted to change some of our courses. The International office was of great
value for us as exchange students and they assisted us in all ways they could.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
14th of August
20th of August
30th of November
1st-14th of December
Arrival
The introduction week was very well prepared from the schools side and we got to see a lot of
Reykjavik and the area around. They gave us a lot of information about living in Iceland and
some basic survival phrases. The introduction week bonded us in so many ways and we were
all grateful for the effort that was put into this week.
The International Office
The international office always did their best to make sure we had a good time and you can
talk to them about all your concerns.
Promoting BI and Norway
RU had an international day and there we promoted Norway and BI. All of the other exchange
students did the same for their schools and we all served food for the Icelandic students. The
international day was fun and we got a lot of questions from the Icelandic students.
Social activities
The relationship between the exchange students were great and we quickly bonded in groups
but the great thing about being on exchange is that everyone seeks new friends so you get new
friends throughout the semester. The school also offer some activities during the semester and
they also arrange trips for the exchange students during the semester. In all they offered 4 big
trips where they took us around on Iceland.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
The teaching style is similar to the Norwegian style and the teachers use Powerpoints when
presenting their material to the students. The courses that we took were in English and the
books were also in English. In the course that is taught in English, the teachers demand that
everyone asks their questions in English as well. The level of the courses is similar as at BI.
Exams
In RU they give you assignments that counts on your final grade during the semester so your
final exam could be a multiple choice test that would count 30% of your final grade. In this
way the students have more opportunities to show what they know to the teacher. The levels
of the exams are similar to BI. The teachers are also very open and they made themselves
accessible for the students during the exams. We all liked this way of examination.
Library and technology
The library is modern and new, and you can access computers on school. The school uses
email to contact their students so make sure you check your e-mail often to be up-to-date.
Description of courses
Course name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisites Approved as
Comments
Assignments and a 2
hour written exam.
None
Elective
Business
International
Business
Bachelor
Assignments and a
2-hour multiplechoice test.
None
Elective
Business
User Centred
Software
Development
Service
Management
Master
Assignments and a
2-hour exam.
Yes
Mandatory
Computer
Science
Bachelor
Assignments and a
48-hour home exam.
None
Mandatory
Business
Risk
Management
Bachelor
Assignments and a
3-hour exam.
None
Elective
Business
Developing
and Retaining
Human
Capital
International
Employment
Law
Master
Group presentation,
individual
assignment
Yes
Elective
Business
Master
Yes
Elective
Business
Managing
Global
Workforce
Master
Individual
participation, team
presentation, group
project, final exam.
Class participation
and preparedness,
in-class cases and
Exercises, final
individual Report
Yes
Elective
Business
Managing
Human
Resources
Master
Individual case
analyses, team case
presentation, team
project, individual
participation
Yes
Elective
Business
Leadership