Help in finding a place to live and eat at reasonable prices, and the provision of readily available health care services are just some of the areas covered by SiO.
All students pay a small fee each term, for which a wide range of services is provided.
The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo Phone: 22 59 68 00
PB 94 Blindern Fax: 22 59 68 80
0314 Oslo Web: www.sio.no
Student housing
SiO runs eleven student houses and villages in and around Oslo, which can house more than 6000 students. Most of the accommodation consists of single rooms; some grouped in clusters with common bathrooms and kitchens, others with their own bathroom and kitchen nook. There are also approximately 500 family flats. The Division of Student housing also provides students with information on private accommodation.
Health care
SiO runs the on-campus Blindern University Health services. Here a staff of general practitioners, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists is available for students for free on an appointment basis, as well as to deal with emergencies.
Opening hours
8 a.m -3.30 p.m. (2.45 p.m. from 15th of May -14th of September)
For appointments, call 22853160. In emergency situations, call 22853174 or 113.
Social counselling
Life as a student is not always straightforward, and sometimes the need arises for someone to talk to. SiO’s Social counselling service consists of a team of professional counsellors to whom students can turn for help. Here students can discuss their problems, whether they are of an academic, financial or personal nature. The counsellors also have experience in dealing with the concerns of international students.
Sports and recreation
SiO’s Sports department caters to all interests and tastes ranging from competitive sports to basic fitness programs. There are facilities for indoor training under the supervision of fully qualified instructors, and plenty of opportunities for enjoying outdoor life too. The fitness centre “Centrum Athletica” opened in January 2004, and is situated in the centre of Oslo. It offers facilities for e.g. spinning, aerobics and climbing. Domus Athletica (close to the University campus) is one of the best fitness centres in the country, with large training studios and facilities for e.g. tennis, squash, spinning, swimming, basketball, volleyball, dancing, aerobics and soccer.
Day care centres
SiO owns and runs 14 day-care centres located in the student villages and on the University campus. The day care centres can take over 600 children altogether, and most of them accept children from the age of 12 months.
Student restaurants, cafés and cafeterias
SiO runs approximately 35 on-campus restaurants, cafés and cafeterias with a varied selection of menus including vegetarian and halal food. Menus are composed bearing in mind that most students live on a tight budget.
Gnist Akademika - The student bookshop
Gnist Akademika, with its nine outlets in the Oslo area, is Norway’s largest specialist chain for academic literature. You can also buy online. For more information, see www.akademika.no.