Julia Volz - Interior architecture

Julia Volz is studying in the field of expertise Interior architecture  and spent a semester abroad in Bergen, Norway, at the Fakultet for kunst, musikk og design (KMD) the University Bergen

After deciding to pursue my master’s degree at HAWK as well, I started looking into opportunities for a semester abroad during my master’s program so that I could experience different teaching methods and approaches. I was particularly interested in the country and its people, in Scandinavian design, and in the freer and more independent work process in the KMD master’s program compared to HAWK.

I got a spot in the Grønneviksøren dorm, where I shared an apartment with two other Erasmus students. Everyone had their own room, and we shared the kitchen and bathroom. The rent is a bit higher than at other dorms, but the dorm community is very active and offers lots of activities to participate in. The dorm is also right on the waterfront, and KMD is just a 5-minute walk away.

I took the courses for the second semester of the master’s program at KMD. That worked out well, because at KMD you apply with a project that you work on independently throughout the entire master’s program. Since I started fresh with my own project when I began in Bergen, I was able to catch up fairly quickly and soon reached a similar level as my fellow students. That said, everyone can work at their own pace, tailored to their own project. Every 2–3 weeks, we had meetings with our tutors to discuss how the project was progressing.

Apart from that, we all took 2–3 additional courses together, sometimes working in groups and sometimes individually. We were free to choose whether these courses were related to our own projects or whether we wanted to work on something completely different.

For me, it was a new experience to work on my own project in such a free and self-directed way. Especially at the beginning of the semester, a lot of self-discipline was required, because on the one hand, I still had to finish the courses from the winter semester in Hildesheim, and on the other hand, classes and getting to know people in Bergen were starting at the same time. But I quickly realized that here at KMD, the focus is particularly on one’s own approach as a designer. You’re given plenty of time for your projects, and great emphasis is placed on reflection and the individual creative process.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the openness and warmth of my fellow students at KMD. I was also delighted by the wide variety of ways the workshops could be used. The food in the cafeteria was a daily highlight, especially the pizza on Fridays.

One of the highlights of my trip was a trip to Tromsø in February, where we got to see the beautiful Northern Lights. Just as wonderful were the many hikes on the seven mountains surrounding the city of Bergen and the excursions a little further afield.

And let’s not forget the numerous sauna sessions followed by a swim in the cold fjord.

The first few weeks were actually a bit challenging because there was so much going on here. Exchange students are given a very warm welcome in Bergen. There are plenty of informational meetings and activities to help you get to know everyone. At first, you can take part in everything, but at some point, it’s also okay to step back from a few activities and go your own way.

Just go for it, no matter how many questions you have at the start.