Written by: Annemieke Schanze
Full name: Annemieke Schanze
Age: 24
Citizenship: German
Programme at BI: MSc in Finance
For those of you that already live in Oslo. Try this experiment. Go outside at any time of the day. No matter the weather, and count how many people you see running or getting after it on a road bike. I bet you, you’ll soon lose track of count. An extra challenge. Count the people with fast glasses. It’s a thing here in Norway – apparently, you’ll exponentially increase your running speed if you wear a pair of Oakleys. For those of you who have not yet moved to Oslo. Imagine a vibrant city of fit people. 
As a former German national team athlete in rowing. I felt like I was put into my natural habitat. Although there are myths about Norwegians being private and hard to approach. I experienced the opposite with sporty Norwegians. Joining the Norske Studenters Roklubb (NSR) right after moving to Oslo. I was warmly welcomed and even landed a job as a coach within the first week. Rowing in Oslo means early mornings. As you don’t want to get into the morning traffic jam. Also, want to catch the calm water together with the sunrise. But in my opinion early mornings always pay off. And they definitely did for me. Just a month after moving to Oslo I found myself competing at the Norwegian Rowing Championships. I even earned a couple of medals. For those of you interested in rowing. I definitely recommend joining the OSI rowing club. OSI (Oslostudentenes Idrettsklubb) offers many different sports for students from all universities in Oslo. It is a great opportunity to get to know people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Especially in times of the pandemic. Rowing in the summer, and skiing in winter has saved me from a monotonous everyday life. Also, enabled me to connect with like-minded people. Many of whom are Norwegians. Calling them my friends made Oslo my home and despite minimal social interaction and two semesters of online teaching. I feel that I did not lose a day and that studying the MSc in Finance at BI. It was just the right thing for me to do during the pandemic. 
So, if you love the outdoors and you’re an active person. Then BI in Oslo is the right choice for you. Having lived the international student life already in my Bachelors. BA in Business Administration, Focus: Finance & International Business at the University of Washington in Seattle. I can assure you that there are many great experiences waiting for you here. So, pack your bags, and don’t forget your fast glasses. It will be worth the extra speed.
Life at BI