Teaching in English: Exchange Experience at the University of Stavanger Professor Jan Frick, University of Stavanger

Ullandhaug Campus

Background With the Norwegian Quality Reform in 2003 and implementation of the Bologna Process as part of the European Economic Agreement, the internationalization of higher education in Norway was emphasized and led to an increase in the volume of exchange program for students.

My courses I have had exchange students in class since 1991 Many different nationalities Huge differences in background Huge differences in English as working language

Using English The main reasons in establishing courses in English were both to attract international students to Norway and to train our Norwegian students in using English as a working language. Additionally, as the job market in Norway since 1970 became more and more international, English is a working language of many companies located in Stavanger (called petroleum capital of Norway) and/ or working within the petroleum industry.

Deliveries As a consequence, during last decades educational program on Bachelor and Master levels at the University of Stavanger have been delivered in English complete or partly. That has hopefully resulted in greater mobility, better language skills of students and teachers and the transnational nature of the study program at the University of Stavanger. Incoming students often provide the class with international perspectives and may in the long run clearly influence our research and publications.

Challenges There are several challenges in developing program in English. Some of the courses like e.g. law or auditing are very national in content, and therefore not suitable for international students. My own courses like «Operation Management» or «Logistics», are more suitable as industry or services have similar characteristics worldwide. The academic background required is also problematic.

What to demand? Shall we compare their background with our study programs? Second year level from one university in a specific topic may equalize third year from another. There is also an administrative challenge when exchange students need to take courses across normal plans due to collisions of lectures and exams. On top of this, the ability of students to use English varies a lot, with regard to both exchange and Norwegian students.

Establishing Courses Establishing of courses or study program in English might be a tough process. There is a lot of resistance to this at our university. The most important factor is teachers who do not want to deliver anything in any other language than Norwegian (including their version of the Norwegian language). Secondly, there are opinions that courses taught to Norwegian students in Norway should always be in Norwegian, and no student exchange should disturb that principle. Thirdly, teachers and administrative staff members find exchange students as an extra non-paid workload as many of them are not comfortable in English.

Other issues Low level of off-class communication between exchange students and Norwegian students/ Norwegians in general Foreign students seems to live in a kind of «ghetto» as using a high % of available studenthousing High integration between foreign students and immigrant groups

Solutons? However, as the global educational landscape is changing and internationalization seems inevitable, we should search for possible solutions. My own view is that «normal» university work should include students from all locations, and that working in English should be a requirement for any employment at a university. The main reason for that is to level out the differences transnational, and to do so include comparison of courses

For International students Open to applicants from all over the world: Degree opportunities MSc in Petroleum Engineering MSc in Biological Chemistry MSc in Computer Science MSc in Offshore Technology MSc in Environmental Technology MSc in International Hotel and Tourism Management Master of Arts in Literacy Studies Master Program in Musical Performance - classical Joint Master program in Migration and Intercultural Relations PhD-Program Postgraduate courses within Music production and recording, classical music, jazz, voice etc For students who plan to study in Norway or students who already are in Norway: Norwegian Language and Culture (1-year -long course which qualify to enter any university-level program in Norway)

International students Open to students whose home institution has an agreement with the University of Stavanger: Exchange program opportunities within Business, Hotel- and Tourism Nursing Computer Science Natural Science and Mathematics Mechanical and Civil Engineering Industrial Economics, risk management and planning Petroleum Engineering Foreign Languages (English, Spanish, French, German) Comparative Educational Studies

Orientation Week for International Students Pick-up service Air-port, train-station, etc Presentation of UiS Computer room Student card Guided tour on campus Library introduction Meeting Norwegian culture How to reduce the cost of living in Norway Practical arrangements Passport/Visa/Immigrant Office Bus card Bank account Health check (TB)

Orientation Week for International Students Guided tours Downtown and in Rogaland county city walk bus trip boat trip daylong hike in mountain barbeques Note the 1000 metre drop below them into a cold fjord!

Student Residencies