For many students, May is the busiest time of the year. Between revision, exams, final deadlines and packing to move home for the summer, time is limited. But May is also one of the most beautiful times to see Bergen and it’s surrounding areas. Study Bergen chartered M/S Bruvik, an old fjord steamer, to cruise around Osterøy. 221 students from 46 different countries joined the trip and experienced the magnificent scenery just outside of Bergen.
The day started out grey and overcast, but within an hour the skies were blue and sunny. The crew guided us around the inland island of Osterøy, pointing out sights like Hesjedal Waterfall, the old farm at Havråtunet and the summer house of Ole Bull.
A chilly swim
Clement Dupont and Quentin Laurent
Carole Degrave and Claire Tempier
Iman Mohammad and Peter Wakholi
Peter Benedict
The journey continued into Mofjorden where we stopped in the tiny village of Mo before returing to Bergen. Here there is a little beach with crystal clear water. Two of the students braved the cold waters to skinny dip in the fjord, whilst others kicked off their shoes and socks to go wading. Most of the students chose however to stay on the beach or wander around the village.
Clement Dupont from France was one of the students who braved the cold waters to swim in the fjord. Surprised to find a beach with white sand nestled between the mountains at the end of the fjord, he couldn’t resist going for a swim.
- The day has been amazing, like a ‘fairytale’ and we have been lucky with the weather, he says.
His friend Quentin Laurent, also from France, agreed: - The cruise has been fantastic; I have fallen in love with the landscape!
Claire Tempier from Canada has been studying Law in Bergen for a year on an exchange from the University of Aix-en-Provence, she enjoyed the opportunity to be outside all day and to meet other Erasmus students.
- It is really great that we got the chance to participate on this typical Norwegian experience, it was reasonably priced and the waffles were a nice touch, Claire smiled.
A welcome break from revision Despite her busy schedule, Iman Mohammed from Ghana was pleased she took the time to participate on the cruise.
- I think my best memory will be from all the students I have met today, noted Iman.
Both she and Peter Wakholi from Uganda, appreciated the varied scenery during the day and were pleased the weather was so good.
Peter Benedict from Liberia enjoyed the combination of the scenery in Mo with the mountains, beach and waterfall:
- It was great to see how happy everyone was when they were running towards the beach and how happy everyone was to be there.
Back at port Anchoring back into Bergen, the crew played the anthem of Bergen by Johan Nordahl Brun over the loudspeakers, to the delight and amusement of everyone on board.
