Apply as Participant
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Welcome to the ISFiT 2025 Participant Application! ISFiT, the world’s largest international student festival, is held biennially in Trondheim, Norway, during the spring semester. Since its inception in 1990, ISFiT has brought together students from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, fostering dialogue and connection through stimulating discussions on important global issues. Each festival centers around a unique theme, and for 2025, we will be exploring the theme of POWER. We invite you to join us from March 13th to 23rd, 2025, for this exciting event, where students from across the globe will gather in Trondheim to engage, learn, and inspire one another.
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​We are currently accepting participant applications, and you can apply up until October 13th!
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As a participant, you will be part of a community of international students passionate about creating positive change in the world. You will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking workshops, attend insightful debates, and participate in dynamic cultural exchange activities. Being a participant means more than just attending events and concerts — it means actively contributing your ideas, experiences, and perspectives to the discussions and debates that shape our understanding of the theme of POWER.
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We in ISFiT will provide food and accomodation while you are here, and you may also apply for additional funds if you need so to attend the festival.
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So what are you waiting for? Apply!
Do you have any questions? Please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to see if your question has already been answered, or ask us at this information-email: question@isfit.no.
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If you are having trouble applying through this website, you can alternatively apply through this Google Form!
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What are the requirements for being counted as a student?
A: To be counted as a student, you must be enrolled in a university program in 2024 and/or 2025. If you received your degree in January 2024, you are still eligible to apply. The program must be at a university level or an equivalent.
Q: My institute does not provide student certificates at this time/I am struggling with retrieving a student certificate, what can I send in?
A: Student certificates can be any of the following: A letter of admission stating the programme/course duration, student identity card, letter from university, and any school credential. All this must contain the student's full names and relevant information that confirms the applicant's status as a student. This should be uploaded as required during application for ISFiT.
Q: Should I select SOrCE or to apply as a regular participant?
A: SOrCE is a network of international student festivals that ISFiT is a part of. If you are not one of the preselected participants from one of these festivals, you should apply as a regular participant.
Q: Is it expensive to participate in ISFiT?
A: You will need to pay for your own travel fare, but once you're at the festival food and accommodation is covered. Any additional expenses will be out of your own pocket.
Q: How much financial support can I apply for, and what are the requirements?
A: We do not have the funds to support everyone, so only apply for financial support if you need it in order to be able to participate in the festival. We have volunteers dedicated to allocating funds to the participants who require them, so apply to however much you require to be able to participate.
Q: Can I get financial support, and how do I apply for it?
A: Yes, we offer limited financial support to help participants who might not otherwise be able to afford the trip to Trondheim. However, funding is not available for everyone, so we ask that you carefully assess your need before applying. You can request financial support when filling out your application—no documentation is required at that stage. If you are selected, we will contact you for more details.
Q: Central America is not in the drop down folder, what do I select?
A: Central America is not its own continent, and is a part of North America geographically. This is only to map out a geographic diversity amongst our participants.
Q: How should I fill out the application?
A: We are selecting participants based on your engagement, personal thoughts and ideas. Please answer truthfully based on your thoughts and ideas.
Q: Will you accept letters of recommendation and other documents for the reviewing process?
A: You do not need to submit other documents than the ones stated in the form, we will be basing our evaluation on your application alone.
Q: Can I use AI to write my application?
A: No. Any application we suspect AI to be of use in writing will be discounted in the reviewing process.
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Q: Can I apply even if I graduate before the festival?
A: Yes, recent graduates are welcome to apply. We understand that academic schedules vary across regions, so students graduating in 2024 are still eligible to attend ISFiT 2025.
Q: Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of being selected?
A: To increase your chances, focus on answering the application questions thoroughly and thoughtfully. We're looking for participants who are genuinely interested in attending ISFiT and engaging in meaningful discussions on the theme of "Power." Show us that you can reflect on the theme and share unique experiences and perspectives from your background.
Q: When will you know if you've been selected as a participant?
A: Invitation letters will be sent out around November 17th. Selected participants will have until November 26th to accept the invitation. If a participant can no longer attend, their spot will be offered to someone on the waiting list, who will be notified via email. Rejection letters will be sent after November 26th.​​​
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Q: ISFiT is happening during Ramadan. I am a Muslim and planning to fast, can I still attend ISFiT?
A: Yes, you can still attend ISFiT if you are a Muslim planning on fasting during the festival. We will do our best to accommodate you when it comes to meals or any other needs you might have.
