A once-in-a-lifetime experience for students and universities
A life-changing experience. That is how the students from the University of Valencia beneficiaries of NILS Grants to study in Norway and Iceland describe their stay there. But they are not the only beneficiaries of this project. It has enabled University of Valencia to develop new projects with Norwegian institutions outside the EEA Grants, fulfilling the objective of strengthening relationships.
08.04.2015
49 students from University of Valencia received a NILS grant (complementing Erasmus) to study in Norway or Iceland during the academic year 2014-2015. Half of them have already come back and everyone agrees that the experience couldn’t have been better. Besides having the opportunity to discover the Nordic educational model, one of the most prestigious in the world, they have had extra money at their disposal, thanks to the EEA Grants, in order to cover the higher cost of living in these countries.
“In my two weeks internship in a Norwegian school I was pleasantly surprised by the educational level”, explains Esther, Teaching student. Regarding the college education, all the Spanish students highlight the focus on individual responsibility. “The teachers don’t overwhelm you with exams and papers, they give you the plan and you must organize your time”, adds Ana Isabel. “Moreover, the organization is excellent and there is a great readiness to assist and counsel foreign students". "Without the NILS Grants we wouldn’t be able to afford even the residence”, said Iris. “I chose Norway without hesitation when I heard about this scholarships”, Guillermo, Business and Administration, confirms.
It should be noted that the NILS experience has also allowed University of Valencia to create closer ties with Oslo University. They submitted a joint project to the European Language Award, a training programme for Norwegian teachers of foreign languages (German, Spanish and French) and they were selected. “We are very pleased that the University of Valencia is going to train the future Spanish teachers in Norway”, José Ramón Insa, Vice-Dean of the Teacher Training College of University of Valencia, explains. “NILS Programme within the EEA Grants truly has allowed us to open new horizons”.
These 49 students from the University of Valencia are a part of the 219 students from 11 Spanish universities beneficiaries of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism scholarships. NILS Grants are within the EEA Grants NILS Science and Sustainability Programme, operated by the Universidad Complutense of Madrid and funded with 5 million euros. The aim is to contribute to help bachelor and master students in Spanish universities who are interested in undertaking a study or work placement period in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein cover the higher cost of living in these countries.