Photo: Lamek Tesfai
Cycled to exchange programme in Barcelona
OsloMet-student Åsmund Røisgård Kirkevold wanted to make the journey to Barcelona an experience. Therefore, he decided to use the green travel grant to cycle.
– The plan was at first to use the travel grants to interrail to Barcelona. But then I thought: “Why not cycle?”, says electrical engineer student Åsmund.
He wished for the trip to his new place of study to be more than a batch of travel. He wanted to make it into an experience. When he read that there were grants for green exchange travel, he got the idea to travel in another way than plane.
Cycling dream
The term in Barcelona starts late, his summer vacation therefore became extra-long. Suddenly he saw that the dream he has had for several years, was possible to make true.
– I then became more obliged, says Åsmund.
Much planning
The trip needed a lot of planning, and the four friends got many good tips on YouTube. They made the cycling route themselves. The goal was to cross as many country borders as possible, so that they could experience a large diversity in landscapes, cities, and cultures.
The travel grant covered all the accommodations on the trip, which for the most part took place in a tent. The suitcase with the moving load was sent with a buddy who was going to Barcelona on holiday.
Challenges underway
July 20th 2023, the four friends set off on bikes from Åsmund’s hometown, Tønsberg. The goal was to cycle 100 km every day. When they arrived in Kiel, and two of the friends returned home as planned, the challenges started to appear for the remaining friends. Low temperatures, combined with much rain and lightning – until they came to northern France – brought the morale down.
– We just wanted to sit on a train for what remained of the journey, says Åsmund.
Advantages to cycling
Another advantage to cycling is that he got many amusing stories to tell after he arrived in his new city of study, 25 days after departure. He quickly noticed that his fellow students thought it was cool to hear about his cycling journey.
In addition, his stamina has reached new heights, he is now often running along the beach in Barcelona.
There has, however, not been much cycling in the new city of study. His cycle was stolen shortly after he arrived. But Åsmund doesn’t spend much time on being annoyed.
– You learn from it. Don’t park your cycle outside in Barcelona, he says laughing.
Do you want to know more about your exchange possibilities?
Read information about how you can travel, how you apply, financing and preparations.
