Life in Student Housing

We spoke to Oskar, a 23-year-old Norwegian studying drama at OsloMet, about his experience living with other students in Oslo.

What do you like best about living in a student flat?

“You can be as social as you want, but you can also retreat to your room if you want to be on your own. I am a very social person, so I think it’s fun living with other people. My flatmates and I are all drama students, and we enjoy doing different things together in our spare time. Sometimes we just turn on the disco ball in the living room and have a spontaneous dance party.”

What’s the worst thing about living with other people?

“It’s not always fun having to always remember to clean up after yourself. We have a cleaning schedule so that everyone knows what they’re responsible for doing each week, but you don’t always manage to set aside time to actually do the cleaning. So I’m not going to lie—I’m a bit behind on my cleaning duties at the moment.”

Is there anything you would say is unique about your shared flat in particular?

“We have a guest book in the bathroom so that friends we have over to our place can write a little message after their visit to the toilet. People have written so many nice things in that book.”

What happens when you and your flatmates run out of toilet paper?

“It’s a problem that usually seems to take care of itself. Toilet paper just magically appears—I don't always understand where it comes from. Someone must be buying more. I only buy some when I notice there’s only one roll left.”

What do you and your flatmates like doing together?

“We like watching reality TV in the living room. We also love Singstar and Just Dance on YouTube. We just move the living room table and start dancing in the living room. We also like having friends over. Between the five of us, we know a lot of different people.”

Five Tips

1. Don’t miss the deadline

As an international student, you are guaranteed housing through the Student Welfare Organisation, SiO, as long as you apply by the deadline. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting your preferred housing option. Check the latest deadlines and find more information on our student website (student.oslomet.no).

2. Apply early

You can apply for housing through SiO before you get accepted at OsloMet. If you apply early, you have a higher chance of getting a room in the student village of your choice.

3. Find the right student village for you

There are more than a dozen student villages in all, but the three most popular student villages among international students studying at OsloMet are Song, Kringsjå and St. Hanshaugen. Sogn and Kringsjå are a bit further from the centre of the city, but they are very well connected by public transport and on the doorstep of beautiful nature. They are also the least expensive housing options. A room at St. Hanshaugen student village costs a little more, but it is located in downtown Oslo only a 15 minute walk from campus. If your programme is based at our smaller campus, Kjeller, nearby Åråsen is your best housing option.

4. Accept your offer, even if it’s not your first choice

SiO will only give you one offer and if you reject it, you will be sent to the back of the queue. Once you are living in SiO housing, you can apply for an internal move after you have been living in your housing for two months.

5. Find the Facebook group for your student village

Most of the student villages have an unofficial Facebook group. You can use these groups to ask questions, see what kinds of questions other students are asking, and maybe even make some new friends before you move to Oslo.