FAQ

At the start of each semester, the administrative staff will give the PIs a guided tour of the facilities and go through all safety measures. PIs are responsible for escorting their researchers out of their offices in case of a fire alarm.

Fellows receive a brief tour of the Centre upon arrival and should familiarise themself with the emergency exits and fire extinguishers closest to their office. They can ask their PI or the administrative staff for further guidance if needed.

When the fire alarm goes off, the researchers must evacuate the building and gather at the designated meeting spot in the courtyard. An administrative staff member will show you the meeting spot.

It is crucial that all researchers evacuate and stay put at the meeting spot until the situation is resolved.

A defibrillator is available in the wardrobe on the third floor, just outside the restrooms. The administration is trained to use it, as well as to perform CPR and other first aid.

Each floor has a first aid kit and sanitizer dispensers.

Please report all thefts or damages to the Centre's administration.

Theft or damage to personal property should be reported to the fellow’s insurance company and, when applicable, to the police.

Theft or damage to the property of fellows' home institution should be reported to the home institution.

For immediate assistance from the police, call 113. If it is not an emergency, the police can be reached by calling 02800.

The Centre does not provide insurance or any other healthcare benefits, as Fellows and guest researchers are not employed by CAS.

All researchers must have travel insurance covering their entire stay, including losses incurred during travel and damages to the provided accommodations.

If in doubt, consult your insurance company for details regarding your coverage.

In the event of a crisis or disaster, it is important to have access to official information about what is happening and stay informed on what should be done. The Centre’s administration will do their best to keep PIs and fellows informed and updated. But all fellows are encouraged to stay informed through official channels.

Official information can be found on the government’s website, regjeringen.no, and the municipality’s website, oslo.kommune.no. 

In case of immediate and serious threat to life and health, you may receive an emergency alert on your mobile phone. This alert is issued by the Norwegian authorities.

The Norwegian national broadcasting network NRK has a special responsibility to communicate official messages from the authorities. NRK P1 is the emergency radio channel.

You can find advice on self-preparedness, provided by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection, here: sikkerhverdag.no.

Clothing

Based on feedback from our fellows, Norwegians do a lot of walking, and we have little patience with impractical shoes. Trainers are nearly universal, and a nice-looking pair can in most cases be worn instead of formal shoes.

In general, clothing is very informal on an everyday bases. The most formal event CAS will put on will ask fellow to follow the dress code for "business casual".

Norway usually get cold winters and mild summers, and so we ask fellows to have this in mind when packing for the season they arrive for. For more information, see the section 'What to expect from the weather in Oslo?'.

Converters

If fellows are bringing their home electronics, they should invest in some good converters.

Please note that Norway uses standard European type C two prong plugs, and that the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Make sure the converter can handle the voltage before plugging it in.

The tip from former fellows it to make sure to bring plenty of converters.

Norwegian grocery stores are known for being expensive with lack of variety, but fellows can get what they need on an everyday basis in most stores. Grocery stores are readily accessible all around the city.

The main ones are Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop (Extra, Prix, and Mega), Bunnpris, and Meny. These stores are listed from the generally less expensive to the most, but their prices may vary between different products.

You can also buy groceries online through Oda (Norwegian site only) and get them delivered to your doorstep.

There are fresh produce marketplaces scattered throughout the city that you can explore if you are looking for something different from what you can find in local stores. You can ask the administrative staff at the Centre for recommendations.

Some convenience stores also sell groceries, but they tend to be much more expensive.

You should note that the sale of alcohol is subject to strict regulations in Norway. Alcohol with an ABV above 4.7% can only be bought at the state-run alcohol shop, Vinmonopolet. Regular grocery stores have a selection of beers, ciders, and similar products, but sales hours are limited. After 20.00 on weekdays, 18.00 on Saturdays, and all-day on Sundays, only licensed bars and clubs are allowed to sell alcohol.

The easiest way to get from Oslo Airport to downtown Oslo is by train. After passing through baggage claim and customs, follow the signs to the train station. You can either ride the more frequent (and more expensive) Airport Express, or the less frequent (and less expensive) Vy train (lines R10, R11, L12). Tickets can be bought at ticket kiosks just before heading down to the platform. The trains stop at the National Theatre station (Nationaltheatret), which is closer to CAS and may also be closer to your apartment accommodation in Oslo. You can also take the train to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). From here, you can take a taxi to where you’ll get you keys. This step will depend on the apartment we’ve provided. You should have received some information regarding this from us in good time before your travels. The taxi drives are usually nice, and will wait for you while you pick up your key, and can then drop you off at your apartment. We ask that you pay for your train ticket and taxi yourself during your travel. CAS will reimburse the expenses.