Fewer Norwegian students choose to study abroad. In the UK, the number has halved in the last ten years. – I moved to become good at English and better equipped to work internationally, says Emil Nødset. The 20-year-old is enjoying himself at university, but mold, water leaks and rats await at home in the housing association. – The rats run across the living room floor. It’s almost comical, he laughs, even if it’s frustrating. Paying dearly Despite the poor conditions, he has paid around NOK 46,000 in advance rent for the next six months. In addition, there are bills for electricity, water and gas. – I am left with very little after school fees, insurance, visa and rent have been paid, he says. There is mold in large parts of the home, including on the kitchen floor. Photo: Privat Inflation, changes in exchange rates and high living costs have made it significantly more expensive to study abroad. When Nødset finishes his bachelor’s degree, he will have approximately NOK 920,000 in student loans. Nevertheless, he has to work throughout the summer holidays to be able to afford the study stay. – I depend on savings. What is left of student loans quickly runs out when everything is so expensive, says Nødset. Are you considering studying abroad? 😄Yes 💰No, it’s too expensive 🤷♀️Don’t know 📚I don’t plan to study 🙈I think it’s too scary Show result Can’t get out of the contract Since Nødset and four other classmates moved into the apartment in September, they have tried to get out of the lease. So far no luck. – It is difficult to get out once you have signed. We were fooled by the pictures. Don’t do like us. Go to a physical viewing and be critical, he advises. The boys discovered more damage after they moved in. In the living room, part of the floor is torn up. Photo: Private news has been in contact with the rental company. They claim there was no evidence of problems in the home before Nødset moved in, and that they have spent thousands of pounds trying to fix it. – We will always try to solve the problems immediately, but it is not always possible, they write in an e-mail. ✈️Students abroad✈️ 📉The proportion of Norwegian students abroad has decreased in the last ten years 💰The weak krone exchange rate has, among other things, made popular study countries such as the USA and the UK particularly expensive 🇬🇧The decline is large in countries with high tuition fees, such as the UK, where the proportion of students has been halved since 2014 💳The government decided in 2023 that students abroad must pay more even when they have to pay school fees 📚Previously, students from abroad received up to 70 percent in scholarship for school fees, now they get a maximum of 40 percent 🧑🎓To get a loan converted into a scholarship, you must pass the education you have applied for support to Sources: ANSA, Statistics Norway and Lånekassen Not an option to move home In order for parts of If the student loan is to be converted into a grant, you must complete the years of study for which you are applying for support. Moving home to Norway is not an option for Nødset. – I will finish, and I don’t regret moving here, but it has become much more expensive than I thought, he says. – It shouldn’t be like this Neither the financial situation nor the housing situation of Nødset is unique, according to Øyvind Bryhn Pettersen, president of ANSA – Association of Norwegian Students Abroad. Øyvind Bryhn Pettersen believes that studies abroad must be made available to more people. Photo: ANSA He keeps hearing about students who have almost no money left after paying the rent, and who skip meals to make ends meet. – This obviously should not be the case. Today, studying abroad is not a real possibility for everyone, he believes. Will increase support Norwegian society and business are becoming increasingly globalised, and Norway has major international obligations. – If we do not get more students to go abroad, we will not be able to take part in the solution to the global challenges we face, says Pettersen. He believes that student mobility is the most effective tool. ANSA wants to increase the student aid to the EU’s poverty line, and increase the grant share of the school fee aid to 70 per cent. – Then studies abroad will be made available to far more people, says Pettersen. Hi!🙋♀️I write stories for young people. If you have tips for things I should do, it would be great if you sent me an e-mail! If you want to read more financial things, you can find the other things here. Published 04.12.2024, at 16.29
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Paying dearly to live with rats and mold – news Lifestyle – Tips, advice and insight
