DMU Made: Freelancing, Entrepreneurship & Placement Readiness in Bergen, Norway
Key Information
Information
Application Deadline: 21/10/24 at 9:00 am
Opportunity type: Employability trips, Extra-curricular opportunities
Ref: 10008758
Dates
Departure Date: 03/02/25
Return Date: 08/02/25
Costs
£530: the estimated cost for travel, accommodation and transfers (excluding any support). Students will also be required to pay for: UK and in-country transfers, visits, food and drink, visa (if applicable)
Funding
DMU Global Bursary: £200
Booking
Accommodation: Shared rooms in a hostel booked by DMU
Travel: Flights booked by DMU (students travel as a group)
Contact
General Enquiries: Global Mobility Office - dmuglobal@dmu.ac.uk
Trip Lead: Simon Baines - sbaines@dmu.ac.uk
How to pay
Payment details: Students will be required to pay £330 as a contribution towards the cost of travel, accommodation and transfers (if included) after being offered a place on the trip. The DMU Global bursary will be deducted directly from the overall cost of the booking.
Carbon Levy
Student contribution: To offset the carbon emissions from the flight for this trip there is a £3 Carbon Levy for this trip which has been added to the total cost. Information about how this Levy will be used can be found here.
Eligibility
All DMU students that are enrolled to be studying at the University for the 2024-25 academic year are eligible to participate on this opportunity. In particular, we are looking for students with a demonstrable interest in freelancing and self-employment, or you may have a business idea that you would like to launch or grow. There are a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 10 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.
About
Trip description
This trip to Bergen will explore how freelancing, self-employment, business, and sustainability are critical part of Bergen’s infrastructure. It will also provide students with opportunities to explore how entrepreneurial and creative skills can help them to become ‘placement ready’, specifically for roles associated with industries within arts, design and humanities.
Participants will undertake tasks which will help them to develop a range of skills including:
- Social Media
- Personal branding online and offline
- Networking
- Team work
Underpinned by a community of ambitious founders, Bergen has a thriving programme of start-up events, innovation hubs and business programmes. This trip will explore how this community works alongside and with the Universities to support growth and innovation.
This trip will enable students to interact with local organisations including the University of Bergen, innovative projects, and entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of pioneering solutions to global challenges. Students will learn about ideation, prototyping, and the essential skills needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial world. Engaging with Norwegian academics and students will provide students with a unique international perspective on education, research, and business practices, enriching their academic and personal growth or a placement.
Meeting successful entrepreneurs and witnessing innovative projects can be highly motivating. Students may return home with newfound inspiration to pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures or innovative ideas. Alternatively, they may use new knowledge acquired through the trip to enhance their employability, developing new entrepreneurial and business skills which can be applied within a job role.
Through group workshops and fun, practical tasks, students will also develop and implement transferable skills linked with creativity and marketing. Students will be allocated practical tasks to complete during the trip, which will help them to develop and apply skills around digital marketing and social media. They will also undertake ‘placement readiness’ activities, exploring themes like communication, networking and interview skills which will be relevant both when looking to secure a placement and in future, when looking to secure a job role.
Why take part?
Here’s what some of our students had to say following the previous trip to Bergen;
“My time in Bergen proved profoundly inspiring, and I have acquired a multitude of skills that are unparalleled in any other setting”.
“Had the absolute best week in Bergen with DMU Global on this year’s ‘Freelancing and Entrepreneurship’ trip. My time in Bergen was truly inspirational and I’ve taken back so many skills which I couldn’t have learnt any other way”.
“The opportunity provided by DMU Made and DMU Global gave us a chance to explore entrepreneurship in a multicultural environment and understand the benefits of networking”.
Learning objectives
Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop a range of employability skills and competencies that enhance your studies. Through participation in this trip to Bergen we expect that students will:
Successful applicants will be required to participate in practical group workshops before, during and after the trip in order to develop and apply skills as listed above.
Cultural activities
Bergen is a beautiful part of the world, with many sights, tourist attractions, museums and incredible eateries! Students are recommended to visit the Bryggen World Heritage Site, which is the key historical part of the city. Also, you are recommended to stroll through the charming neighbourhood of Nygårdshøyden, known for its well-preserved wooden houses and vibrant street art, a unique blend of historic and modern culture.
In February, you can expect wintry weather, which can mean heavy showers and often lots of snow! Weather permitting, students could consider a hike up one of Bergen’s seven mountains, or alternatively take the cable car to get fantastic views of city. Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken are the most accessible and offer multiple trails to choose from. The early morning cold water swims, followed by a sauna and coffee are also highly recommended!