It was the coldest I had ever been. January in Norway was a monochrome world of hard ice, rock and heavy skies. I hauled my luggage onto the Bybanen for the very first time and began my journey towards Fantoft student halls. As much as I was excited to see a new land, the rapidly descending darkness outside restricted my vision to the confines of the tram – despite only being early afternoon. Arriving in Norway in winter created an internal conflict between enjoying the novelty of abundant snow, and the limitations of days being held to a few hours of sunlight. Whilst this paints a bleak, black and white picture, exacerbated by Bergen’s rainy reputation, the rain never did fall. All accessible by the extensive bus and tram network, those dry winter months created surplus opportunities for hiking the seven stunning mountains enclosing the city.
The scenic setting of the Norwegian fjords and mountains requires no introduction, and is unsurprisingly a major tourist destination. Therefore, it is critical to act with great consideration for the environment, particularly with regards to selection of travel method. The Bergen light rail system (or Bybanen) is central to achieving sustainable transit. Not only is the system highly accessible, but the network is located near key landmarks, meaning one can proceed with an emission-free mode of transport – walking! On a wider scale, eco-friendly travel occurred through the highly efficient and comfortable trains across Norway – including the world-famous seven hour journey from Bergen to Oslo – often cited as the ‘most beautiful train journey in the world’. These forms of travel are symbolic of several of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Most significantly, these align with SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 13 (climate action). By transforming cities like Bergen into accessible and sustainable hubs, we can help preserve the environment and mitigate the all-encompassing effects of climate change.
As the months passed, I observed an explosion of colour. Whilst gradual in reality, this transition into spring emerges unexpectedly, as the plants blossom and mountains turn green. This natural transition is reflected on a human level, as the bars open up outdoors, the parades and street events occur and local food markets become more expansive. The completion of this seasonal shift marked the closure of the semester and a final chance to embrace the beautiful nature of the region – hiking the hills around Bergen and immersing myself in a state of wonder – a landscape that was silent, bitter, impenetrable and unforgiving only 6 months ago was now vivid green, ribboned by cobalt inlets, all soundtracked by orchestra of blackbirds, chaffinches and willow warblers who, like me, had migrated to another land on a temporary basis. I was lucky to experience a remarkable seasonal change, with corresponding adventures facilitated by sustainable travel options. I hope this can evidence that with the availability of green infrastructure, one can fulfil their study abroad ambitions without compromising the planet.
