UC Berkeley, California
Fall 2013
Before leaving Norway
We received information from BI early in the spring that we were accepted to the
exchange program at UC Berkeley. However, we received information about being
accepted at UC Berkeley in May. The international office at BI then sent out information
needed and all of the accepted students to UC Berkeley from BI met in Oslo for an
information meeting. This was a great way to get information and meet some of the
students from the previous semester at UC Berkeley, in addition we got to meet the new
students who would be on this journey with us.
Applying for visa.
BI provided all the information needed when it came to the visa application process. We
received detailed information on how to apply for a visa and how to fill out all the forms
needed. However, we are required to book an appointment at the US embassy in Oslo
ourselves, to complete the application process and schedule for an interview at this date.
It is also very important to remember cash at the embassy, as they do not accept credit
cards. I would recommend being early, and not waiting until the last weeks to get
appointment for the Visa. The embassy only hold interviews at certain days of the week
and the summer period might be a busy time to get the Visa. It took approximately
two-three weeks before we got our passport back.
Housing
BI does not provide housing, but they do present options for students travelling and
provides information of the different alternatives. However we had to find and contact
the renters ourselves. I would recommend finding housing and/or housing options
before you travel to Berkeley. We waited until we got there to find something and there
was not many good options left. The apartments vary a lot when it comes to different
standards. Library Gardens is where most of the BI students lived this fall and had a
good standard. However I would recommend reading the leasing agreements well, since
most of the leases last from 5-12 months, you are responsible to find someone to take
over your lease when you leave after 5 months, if you have a 10-12 month lease. I would
also recommend being early on announcing this so you do not have to pay the rent when
you get home as well.
Costs
We paid approximately 4200 NOK ($700) per person per month for housing including
furniture. In addition we had to pay for water and electricity. A deposit on the
apartments is also required most places and varies from place to place. This will be
refunded back to you at the end of your lease. Books and Iclicker (for sociology 121) was
pricy, but you could rent the Iclicker and return some of the books to the bookstore for a
little money refund. Some of the required readings are online articles, some provided by
the professors, and some have to be bought online. Food is in general cheap. Going out to
eat is common, however many students prefer to cook their own meals. Transportation
is cheap also, and to travel around the Bay-area, including San Francisco, you can use the
BART.
Culture and language
There were no problems when it comes to language or communicating with the
professors or other students, since the language is English. I would recommend
travelling as much as possible to experience other parts of the country. We were groups
of students who travelled to places like Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Diego, Lake
Tahoe and so on. Americans are very open and friendly and they will help you with
anything you need. San Francisco is close to Berkeley and you will most likely spend a
lot of time here. Sightseeing, shopping and nightlife is some of the wonderful things this
city can offer. Here you will find Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Hippies, cable cars and so
on.
UC Berkeley is located in the heart of the city of Berkeley. The campus area is big and
you will have classes in different buildings at campus. Also different activities finds place
at campus throughout the semester. There is a recreation center where you can do you
workouts if this is of your interest and this costs approximately 150 dollars or so. This
fee is a semester fee and gives you access to the swimming pool, tennis court, workout
classes and regular gym. There are also several sports you can join if this is of your
interest, and information is provided in the beginning of the semester.
Course registration
We had to register for classes in the beginning of the semester. We got information from
BI what classes who were available for us to choose from, and then we had to attend the
classes of our interest to be enrolled. It is important to attend all of the first classes, if
not, the professor will not enroll you to his or her course. Applying for courses was
available from the beginning of the semester and closed one month after classes’ starts.
This was not a complicated process. Course registration can be done here:
https://concurrent-enrollment.berkeley.edu/ucbx/ce_stu_login
Academic calendar
We arrived two weeks before school started, however many other students arrived
several weeks before, so they could travel and explore areas around the US before the
classes started. Classes started in the end of August and ended in the second week of
December. The finals are being held throughout the last month, and will end in the last
week of December. Throughout the semester the school arranges different events for the
entire student body, and the international students also arrange their own different
events. This includes events like Game Days, barbeques, sport events, trips and other
gatherings. We were invited to a Thanksgiving dinner for all the international students
at Berkeley. These events were a great way to meet American students and other
international students.
Arrival
When semester started we were divided into different groups and got our own mentor,
the mentors were in general American students. The mentors are meant to help and
guide you throughout the semester, and invited us to different events and kept us
updated. It was also a great way to meet American students and other international
students. With so many Norwegian students at Berkeley, it was easy to create groups
with only Norwegians. The mentor arranged different events in the introduction week,
this was a great way to meet other students!
We received the basic information needed from the international office. They provided
us with the information we needed to get started and kept us updated when something
important came up. At UC Berkeley we were not involved in any activities to promote
exchange to Norway.
Academics
The teaching style is similar as in Norway. However there are more group tasks and
tests throughout the semester. A quiz might be held unannounced and there are held
more tests like midterms and essays in the different courses. The level of education is
somewhat similar to BI in Norway and the tests throughout the semester require you to
read the required readings before each class. In some of the classes, parts of the final
grade are based on attendance in class. Some of the classes require you to attend a
certain percentage of the classes and essays and assignments are also a common way to
be graded. The professors have more power at UC Berkeley then they do in Norway in
general. They decide how the exam should be, what the syllabus is, and how the tests are
graded. You will also get extra credit in some classes for in-class participation.
During classes, we mostly just sit and listen and take notes, however in some classes we
are required to do group tasks. The instructors will inform about this early in the
semester.
Description of classes
In the first weeks of classes it is important to attend all of the classes of your interest. At
UC Berkeley you go “course shopping” in the beginning of the semester and you have to
be approved by the professor to be accepted to class. This is important for all of your
classes, and not only the elective classes.
Sociology 121: Innovation and entrepreneurship
Exam form: 1-hour written in-class exam
Prerequisites: None
Obligatory course
Sociology 119T: Organizational design
Exam form: Home exam
Prerequisites: None
Obligatory course
Sociology 166: Society and Technology
Exam form: 3 hour multiple choice/short answer written in-class exam
Prerequisites: None
Elective course
Sociology 194: Writing seminar
Exam form: Research paper, home exam
Prerequisites: None
Obligatory course
Berkeley is a fantastic experience and after a semester at Berkeley you will be richer in
so many ways. Just remember to socialize early in the semester with the international
students and the American students if you want to improve your English. And remember
that the classes you are taking are in a different education field than what you might be
used to at BI. You will not be able to attend any classes containing economics, at the
classes you are attending at UC Berkeley it is all about sociology perspective. It might be
different, but it is an adventure worth to experience.