Brexit frustrates British students in Bergen: – I would not take advice from Boris Johnson

 – It was so unnecessarily stressful when applying for exchange in Norway, says Ruby Leman, an exchange student from the United Kingdom. 

To apply for a residence permit in Norway, British citizens needed to have a Norwegian address to apply with, however Sammen only offered contracts from the 22nd of May. While the international welcome week at UiB started in early August. That left two months for exchange students to apply for residence permits in Norway.

– It is difficult to go through this process during exam season, says Leman, who back home attends the University of Leeds. 

£300 in train tickets 

Lara Moore spent around 300 pounds (3980 nok) in train tickets alone to get to her visa appointments. This is because visa documents are only delivered in person, where the only appropriate services are located in London and Edinburgh.  

– People in Norway are welcoming, but the process is not as welcoming, says Moore.

Olivia Harpwood (20) found the process stressful due to time constraints. 

– I was worried that I was not going to make it in time, because I was not sure if I would get my passport back in time before I left for Norway, explains Harpwood. 

After Brexit, British students no longer had the privilege of arriving in Norway without this application process.

– Although, being in Norway has shown that we can have a relationship with the EU and the Schengen zone, even if were not  a part of it, says Leman.

Boris Johnson's visit caused reactions

In December 2025, Boris Johnson arrived in Bergen to the debate “Is collective security dead?” This resulted in reactions from international students. 

– I would not want to take any advice from him, Leman chuckles.

It is not only the costs of this arrangement that is a problem, but also the lack of opportunities for exchange students, according to the girls. 

– They have taken out different countries from the Study-abroad programme. My first choice was France, but that was not an option anymore, says Moore. 

Without Erasmus funding, the UK government started the Turing Scheme to help fund those abroad. However, this funding is not guaranteed for all students. Harpwood was not a recipient of the grant. while Leman was unaware that she was eligible. 

– I think the Erasmus program works much better than the Turing Scheme, says Harpwood. 

It should be noted that recently the UK has moved to re-join Erasmus in 2027.