Year Abroad: A trip to Oslo

Over the course of a weekend, I had the chance to explore Oslo, the Norwegian capital, on a trip organized by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in Gothenburg, Sweden. The trip sold out within minutes, and with around 40 eager students joining the journey, we were in for an adventure that would take us through a mix of historical sites and modern culture.

We started bright and early, meeting at Gothenburg Central Station at around 6:30 am after waking up at around 5:30 am. The thought of a 4-hour bus ride was daunting, but we all boarded, excited for the trip ahead of us. We travelled by FlixBus, a simple and budget-friendly option that I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to explore Europe.

By 11 am, we arrived, excited and ready to explore the Norwegian capital.

During the journey, we were treated to the beautiful Scandinavian landscape as the sun began to rise – we’d spent about the first hour of the journey in early morning darkness! With a book in hand, the 4 hours seemed to fly by as we made our way to Oslo. By 11 am, we arrived, excited and ready to explore the Norwegian capital.

After dropping our luggage off at the hostel and lightening our backpacks, we had a generous four hours of free time to explore the city. My group of five set out for a casual wander, first stopping at a café that had been converted from an old fire station – it featured an actual fire pole in the corner! I treated myself to a delicious sandwich and a hot chocolate served in a bowl-like cup, a fun twist on the classic warm drink.

While a few brave souls in our group ventured out onto the ice, I chose to stay safely on the edge.

Our next stop was a frozen-over lake, where some locals were skating. While a few brave souls in our group ventured out onto the ice, I chose to stay safely on the edge, watching them slip and slide across the frozen surface.

From there, we walked up to the stunning Oslo Opera House. The rooftop offered breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding fjord, and we took plenty of photos to capture the moment. We even managed a group photo, all of us smiling against the backdrop of the city.

It was a picture-perfect moment.

Next, we headed toward the city centre, browsing the shops and picking up a few souvenirs. I grabbed a postcard and a magnet, souvenirs that I always like to collect during my travels (I’ve got quite the collection now). We then wandered into the bustling Christmas markets – we took advantage of all the free samples—mostly cheeses—offered at the stalls.

At the end of the Christmas market road, we came to the Royal Palace. Though we were too intimidated to get too close to the guards, we marvelled at the grandeur of the palace and snapped a few more photos. It was a picture-perfect moment.

At 3 pm, we joined a city tour, despite already having explored much of the city on our own. The tour proved to be insightful, as we learned more about the history behind the buildings and statues we had casually passed earlier.

I was grateful for the quiet night to rest and recharge for the next day.

For dinner, we followed a list of recommendations and decided to try an Indian restaurant. The prices were perfect for students, and the food was great. Back at the hostel, we spent a few hours playing cards, including a game called Wizard. I must admit, I never quite figured out the rules, but somehow, I ended up in second place.

Later that evening, the ESN community from Oslo invited us to their end-of-semester party. Some of our group members decided to attend, but I and many others opted out in favour of catching up on sleep. The early start had taken its toll, and I was grateful for the quiet night to rest and recharge for the next day.

The next day, we ventured out to the Norsk Folkemuseum, which offers a deep dive into Scandinavian culture and history. The tram ride there took about half an hour, and despite the rainy weather—which soaked my guide map—there were plenty of opportunities for great photos. The museum gave me a new perspective on Scandinavian traditions and lifestyles, and it was an eye-opening experience, especially as I don’t know much about the region’s past.

I was grateful for the quiet night to rest and recharge for the next day.

After the museum, we returned to the city centre, and I decided to take some time for myself to explore Oslo. While others went off on their own adventures, I visited the Deichman Bjorvika public library. This modern architectural gem is not only a place to read but also a cultural hub in the heart of the city. Its design is stunning, with plenty of natural light and an open, inviting atmosphere that encourages visitors to linger and explore.

From the library, I made my way back to the Opera House. I couldn’t resist climbing up to the top for more photos, despite the freezing temperatures. However, the steps had become slick with ice, turning the climb into a slippery challenge. People were holding hands to steady each other, and I witnessed a few falls as I carefully made my way back down. In hindsight, it was definitely a risky move to try that on my own, but I survived.

We arrived back in Gothenburg around midnight, and said our farewells before heading off in different directions.

Before we left, a few of us decided to grab a bite at a local falafel place. I’d never tried falafel before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it turned out to be.

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the hostel lobby, playing more card games. By 8 pm, it was time to board the bus for the return journey to Gothenburg. The ride home was much quieter than the outbound trip, with most of us looking at photos or catching up on sleep. We arrived back in Gothenburg around midnight, and said our farewells before heading off in different directions.

All in all, the weekend in Oslo was an incredible experience. Thanks to ESN for organizing such a well-rounded adventure, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!