Most institutions give specific information about their admissions procedures, fees and such. Usually, they have in common that they wish to get to know you, not just as a student, but also as a person. That is why they often ask, among other things, prospective students to fill out an extensive form about academic and extracurricular accomplishments and to write an essay that reveals something about who the student is. In those cases it is important to find a balance between standing out as an individual and showing that one possesses the skills that are necessary in order to write a good text. You may also have to prove that you master the language well enough by taking certain language tests, for example, ETS Toefl language tests.

However, studying abroad is not only about the way you relate to the university you attend. There are many obstacles to overcome, such as gaining permission to reside and study in the foreign country, language and entrance tests, financing (both living expenses and, for many universities, tuition fees of a considerable size) and recognition of diplomas. Fortunately there is help to be found in information and advice from the following organisations.

• Lånekassen - Utdanning i utlandet Provides scholarships and loans to cover living expenses and may under certain conditions help cover tuition fees, language courses and part of your travelling expenses. However not all education abroad receives funding. Therefore, one of the first things you should do when choosing a school is to make certain that it meets the criteria.
• ANSA (Association of Norwegian Students Abroad) Besides offering counselling and information, ANSA can provide you with a network (other Norwegian students and an alumini association), banking and insurance deals and help in a crisis situation. ANSA also represents the interests of students abroad through dialogue with the Norwegian authorities.
• NOKUT (The Norwegian Authority for Quality Assurance in Education) It grants general recognition of foreign degrees, either in the form of Norwegian credits or an equivalency to a Norwegian degree. NOKUT maintains an extensive database related to foreign education.
• SAFH - Autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell
• Forbrukerombudet - til potensielle utenlands studenter This is a useful checklist when using the services of an agent in order to find a school abroad.

Solving problems before leaving helps you avoid having to cope with them later on. It is very important to ask the right questions and to plan ahead, in order to get the most out of your experience.