University of Oslo International Summer School

• Spend four or six weeks in Oslo, Norway, a small country in Northern Europe with beautiful and breath-taking scenery, a fascinating history and culture, and a thriving economy. 
• Complete five or eight credit hours of undergraduate coursework, looking at such diverse topics as sustainability, the welfare state, film, politics, etc. from a comparative perspective, with Norway as a case study. Graduate students take one course during the University of Oslo International Summer School
• Engage with and learn from fellow students from nearly 100 countries, building cross-cultural understanding and confidence.
• Christine Pederson Fund for the ISS at the University of Oslo scholarship available.  See Further Reading below for more information.

The University of Oslo International Summer School offers students the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of academic courses, experience a rich variety of cultural and social activities, explore the environment of Norway through mountain hikes and excursions to the Western Norway fjords, and foster engagement and understanding between people of different backgrounds, cultures, and ways of life.  Founded in 1947, the International Summer School has hosted students from 150 countries and now boasts more than 30,000 alumni from around the world.

Oslo is one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, with a population approaching 700,000 and new neighborhoods with eye-catching architecture popping up all over. The largest city in Norway, Oslo is quickly transforming into a cosmopolitan hub with an abundance of world-class museums, restaurants and art, while still maintaining the relaxed atmosphere of a much smaller town.

Oslo is nestled between the Oslo Fjord and hundreds of square miles of forested hills, and is a green city in more ways than one. The compact city center is easily explored on foot or by bike, and an efficient public transport system makes the whole city accessible to the visiting student.

Located in the northern Oslo suburb of Kjelsås, Rønningen Folkehøgskole serves as the ISS’s summer accommodations. The private student campus is a roughly 30-minute commute via public transport from the University of Oslo’s Blindern campus and stands on the doorstep to Oslo’s famous Nordmarka forest. Its facilities are recently modernized, and its location on a mountain slope overlooking Oslo provides a picturesque view of the city.

Students live in double or triple rooms, MOST with private bathrooms. Amenities include:

• Communal dorm kitchens and laundry facilities
• Cafeteria providing breakfast, dinner, and packed lunches
• Student common areas and a game room
• Study and computer rooms
• Full gym facilities

Students will be provided with an Oslo travel card for public transportation between Rønningen and the University of Oslo.

The ISS organizes a wide variety of social events throughout the summer, ranging from tours and hikes around Oslo to cultural evenings to movie nights. These events are meant to build community among peers and enrich student experiences beyond the classroom.

The ISS also arranges a arranges a two-day retreat into Telemark, a region in south-central Norway famous for its cultural heritage and sublime natural beauty. Experiences include scenic hiking trails, a visit to a medieval stave church, and accommodations at a mountain resort.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students 
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing at the University of Kansas. 

The priority application deadline is January 30 (for consideration as an ISS scholarship recipient). Applications will be accepted into February until the University of Oslo reaches enrollment capacity for the International Summer School.

Program Cost for University of Oslo International Summer School

Christine Pederson Fund for the ISS at the University of Oslo

Through the generous support of Christine Pederson, KU alumnus and former participant in the International Summer School, Study Abroad & Global Engagement will award one scholarship each year to an ISS participant.  This scholarship provides financial support of up to $5,000 to KU degree-seeking students to participate in the International Summer School (ISS) at the University of Oslo.  The deadline to apply is February 15. See Christine Pederson Fund for the ISS at the University of Oslo (.pdf).