About the American College of Norway

Where is the summer program being held?

The program will be based at the American College of Norway (ACN). ACN was founded in 1990 by Dr. Steiner Opstad. The University of North Dakota and ACN have had a close relationship since its founding. UND faculty teach at ACN each year. ACN has provided study abroad opportunities for students from UND's undergraduate programs, and UND has been a primary destination for ACN students who decide receive a college degree in the U.S.

Dr. Opstad and ACN Administrative Director Krista Lauritzen regularly visit UND, and have helped to support University programs related to Norway, including the Nordic Initiative and the Norwegian Language Program, as well as high-profile speakers from Norway (in Spring 2008, for example, Dr. Opstad assisted in coordinating the visit of Judge Knut Petterson, a district court judge serving in the central area of the Saami people, to the UND School of Law).

ACN does not have a law school, or any other form of graduate education, but is very familiar with American students, particularly those from North Dakota.

What are the facilities like at ACN?

The classrooms and administrative programs for the program are located on the campus of ACN.

The ACN campus maintains three classrooms for regular courses. Each class room has seating and tables similar to those provided in law school classrooms in the U.S. The rooms have adequate lighting and soundproofing. (Further description can be found at http://www.americancollege.no)

ACN is located in the building in which the armistice negotiations between Norway's nascent constitutional government and Sweden took place, and where the Convention of Moss was signed in 1814. The Convention of Moss is tied to the ratification of the Norwegian Constitution earlier in 1814, and the formation of the modern Norwegian government. Moss is a short train or bus ride from Oslo, Norway's capital and largest city. It is anticipated that the program will take full advantage of ACN's historic location as well as its proximity to Oslo.

Is the UND summer program limited to students from the United States?

While the program is not limited to students from U.S. law schools, it is not expected that any such students will be with us in the summer of 2013. The UND School of Law's summer program usually is scheduled to overlap with ACN's summer courses, so that there will be opportunities to interact with Norwegian students as well as undergraduate students from UND and elsewhere.