H

undreds of Norwegian students are taking three-month educational trips to Bali to fulfill their academic requirements, strengthening the friendship between the Scandinavian country and Indonesia in the process.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Eivind S. Homme said the natural beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality of Bali and its people would encourage more Norwegians to visit, study and settle down in the island province.

"As Norwegian ambassador, I am pleased with this development as it adds a new dimension *between the two countries* and further strengthens our bilateral relations," the ambassador said Friday.

"Student networks between the two countries are now more established, knowledge about each nation has expanded and tourism has increased in both directions."

Homme was addressing the inaugural Bali-Norway Friendship Day at the Canggu Club in Canggu, Badung regency. Around 500 students, teachers and guests attended the event.

Nearly 8,000 Norwegians have visited Bali on vacation in the past, with around 800 students studying and traveling in Bali last year alone.

"Hopefully, the number will increase to 1,000 students next year," Homme said.

The ambassador further told The Jakarta Post that he was impressed by the friendliness of the Balinese and their culture.

"I really hope these students bring this Balinese friendliness back to our home country, spread the news and invite more Norwegians to visit this island," he said.

Norway has built three educational institutions in Bali: Gateway College in 1992, Go Study College (1999) and Kultur Akademiet (2008).

According to Gateway College resident director Wayan Gunayasa, Norwegians are obliged to take at least a class in colleges of this type before finishing their university education.

"It is a requirement for Norwegians to pass a class in such a college in order to add credit to their university grade. This allows them to graduate from the university," said Gunayasa.

"Each student must graduate from high school before entering one of these colleges."

Each college offers several classes including philosophy *mandatory for Norwegian students*, music, arts, culture, Indonesian language and sports.

Each college works in conjunction with a hotel which acts as both a campus and residency, offering classrooms and student dormitories. Some students rent rooms near the hotel.

Nineteen-year-old students Amanda Bernsen and Hanne-Haki Sandstad from Go Study College said they were enjoying taking classes and traveling in Bali.