How come you decided to go to Norway?
Basically, I am half Belgian half Austrian. I studied in Belgium and they gave me the opportunity to go on an exchange. And I saw Norway on the list, and I was like, sure, why not? Let's go to Norway! My mother always talked a lot about Norway. She just loved the nature. And my dad has been to Norway as well. He went here for a cruise trip. And he said: you should really go to Norway. So, I listed Norway as my first choice, and then I got accepted in Halden.
What was it like arriving in Norway as an exchange student?
Belgium is such small country, so usually we would go back home to our parents every weekend. So yeah, I honestly found it very scary. It was the first time I was going abroad all alone. But Stefan, who was my buddy, sent me a super nice e-mail telling me what I needed to know. When I arrived in Halden, all the buddies were sitting outside with the international students, having fun and talking. And I felt at ease immediately. I got to know new people on the very first day I arrived. I didn't miss home at all that first day and I think that's really important, that your first day is good. You know, that's the hardest one. A couple of days later the fadderuken started, and I must say I really enjoyed it, because of how they organized it. It was really nice.
“I got to know new people on the very first day I arrived. I didn't miss home at all that first day and I think that's really important, that your first day is good. You know, that's the hardest one. ”
Arriving in Norway
How did you meet people in the beginning?
Of course, as an international student, you don't know how to navigate. So, it was perfect that the International Office organized a lot of activities like some bowling evenings, some quizzes in English every second Wednesday. A lot of Norwegian students participated too and didn't mind speaking English at all. You really saw this nice blending between the international students and the local students.
What's the name of your bachelor program in Belgium?
In Belgium I was studying Event and Project Management. This was at the UC Leuven, it's college from KU Leuven. And here in Halden I studied the International Business Courses. So I had International Marketing, Global Markets and a Communication course as well. And of course, I also followed Norwegian. Which was really helpful.
Any differences to Belgium?
The teachers here are really, very helpful. For me, it was a huge culture shock, because in Belgium they are quite strict, and you address them with their title and last name. Here all the teachers are so helpful, and we use their first names. In Belgium you aren’t expected to talk or contribute in class as a student. Whereas here, it's a more active learning environment. I really liked that. I know it's personal preference, but I really felt the academic fit was right for me, and I felt more at home here in the academic world then in Belgium. Here it’s a more casual kind of environment. I really enjoyed that.
Rewarding academic life
So when did you realise you didn’t want to go back?
That was pretty early. I think that happened after a month already or so. I was just enjoying my time here and I felt so well integrated. I just felt like I fit in here, and I didn't feel much as a foreigner. Of course, I still have to polish my Norwegian. But the people here are so understanding, especially here in Halden. I felt like I was accepted, and I was learning.
What was it like studying in Halden?
A nice thing that happened in Halden was that I became more academically confident. When I was in Belgium I was just an average student. Not the best, not the worst. But when I came here, I became an A student actually. My grades were good, and I could follow along. And I liked interacting. I feel like I completely opened up, because of the difference in academic culture. So it gave me a confidence boost.
“A nice thing that happened in Halden was that I became more academically confident. When I was in Belgium I was just an average student. Not the best, not the worst. But when I came here, I became an A student actually.”
And then you applied for a master in Norway?
I first talked to Becky (at the International Office). And she helped me, suggesting some universities where I could apply for a master in Norway. I found a master in Management Information Systems at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) and decided to apply for that one, and Becky helped me with the documents. Yeah, I must say it's because of her help I got accepted.
The beginning of something new
What is your master theses about?
The topic is the teacher’s perspectives towards digital teaching in the post pandemic era. So basically: Do they still want to apply methods related to digital teaching, since during the pandemic it has been forced upon them? How do they feel about this? Do they still like it or not? So yeah, that was an interesting topic. I'm also planning to publish this work.
What was it like arriving at USN?
I was a bit scared of course first, because all my fellow students were engineers and they had much more knowledge about IT. And yeah, it was a lot of hard work. But they recognized my academic capabilities very quickly at USN. And the professors approached me and asked if I wanted to work on my paper and try to get it published. And that was a “wow moment” for me. Because I would never have expected such a thing. That one of the professors would walk up to their student and say: your work is amazing. Do you want to work on it together? That's something I could never imagine happening to me in Belgium to be honest.
And so, you are continuing with your PhD now?
Yes, since I liked it, and the professors were telling me: You are suited for this! I always had the ambition to do a PhD and I have always looked up to people doing research. I don't know why, maybe I'm just a nerd. I just thought: one day I want to become one of them. Doing research and trying to get your work published. So yeah, that's why I was like, OK, I'll apply for this PhD. And here I am.
“When I first came here as an exchange student, I just fell in love with Norway. I enjoyed Norway during my exchange so much that I wanted to return for my master, and there I found love. I met him because we studied for the same master.”
Love and achievements
Has your application been accepted?
I've been accepted at the USN. So now I will change to another campus. I will move to Kongsberg. I have seen that they also have a nice river. I'm a runner. And I love running around, especially in forests. So, I hope I can find some nice places to run.
And what is the theme of the PhD?
So the theme will be "Sustainability through digital transformation in a collaborative and co-creating network”. I'm quite excited. So it's not pure IT and also not pure management, so it's it was a perfect opportunity for me.
As far as I understand you also found love during your stay in Norway?
When I first came here as an exchange student, I just fell in love with Norway. I enjoyed Norway during my exchange so much that I wanted to return for my master, and there I found love. I met him because we studied for the same master. He has been my best friend from day one. He has always been there for me. We had this introduction day at campus, and I got drawn in immediately with the only three Norwegians there, and they became my friend group. And one of them was Farhad.
Have you kept contact with your friends in Halden?
They say it takes time to be friends with Norwegians, it's true, it takes time to be their friend. But once you are their friend, you’re friends for life. Because even now, after almost four years, I'm still in contact with my fadder, my buddy and some of my neighbors. Even though we don't see each other so often, because Norway is a big country and we are all spread out. But yeah, whenever we are in the neighbourhood we just text each other and meet up.